About the Festival

Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts & Humanities
January 28-February 1, 2004
The Zora! Festival is a visually stimulating and culturally enriching four-day event that abounds with public discussions, music, dance, drama, visual arts, folk arts, special events, and celebrity guests. The Festival commemorates the life and work of Florida's charismatic 20th century writer, folklorist, and anthropologist, Zora Neale Hurston. It also celebrates Eatonville, her home town, which was popularly known as the first municipality in the United States incorporated by African Americans. And overall, the Festival highlights the cultural contributions of African-descendents to the United States as well as the world. This year's Festival, entitled "A Feast for the Eyes - A Celebration of Visual Art," features the grand opening of Embracing Eatonville: A Photographic Survey, "Education Day" for pre-school to high school students, a Street Festival (showcasing arts, ethnic cuisine, and a marketplace), and a film festival, entitled Celebration of New Black Cinema, sponsored by the University of Central Florida's Zora Neale Hurston Institute for Documentary Studies.

Schedule of Events for the Film Festival

Wednesday, January 28, 2004
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Screening of "Half-Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks"
This film is the definitive documentary on the master filmmaker, photographer, and composer Gordon Parks (director of "Shaft (1971)," "Shaft's Big Score! (1972)," "The Super Cops (1974)," and more). After the movie, the producer St. Claire Bourne will answer questions from the audience.
Enzian Theater, Maitland

9:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Screening of the Original "Shaft"
Gordon Parks' ground breaking film opened doors for black filmmakers into Hollywood and the world of mass audiences. After the movie, Richard Roundtree (the actor who played Shaft) will answer questions from the audience.
Enzian Theater, Maitland

Thursday, January 29, 2004
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Filmmakers Panel, "The Future of Black Film Culture"
Join in discussion with these nationally prominent filmmakers. Panelists include:

• Richard Roundtree (actor, best known for his role as "Shaft")
• Charles Burnett (director, best known for his film "To Sleep with Anger")
• St. Claire Bourne (producer-director, known for a number of TV and cinema films and documentaries)
• Dr. Marta Moreno Vega (producer, best known for "Cuando los Espiritus Bailan Mambo (When the Spirits Dance Mambo)")

UCF Student Union, University of Central Florida

2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Cuando los Espiritus Bailan Mambo (When the Spirits Dance Mambo)
This visually stunning documentary is a richly entertaining new film shot primarily in Cuba. It traces the journey of African thought and philosophy from West/Central Africa to Cuba and New York. Following the film, Dr. Marta Moreno Vega (the producer) will answer questions from the audience.
Enzian Theater, Maitland

Friday, January 30, 2004
8:30 p.m. - Midnight

World Premiere Screening
World Premiere Screening (film to be announced) and Premiere Party. A festival first: a new film from a contemporary black filmmaker.
Universal Loews Cineplex and the Hard Rock Hotel