By Asia Woodard, Atlanta Way 2.0 & SaportaReport intern
The Art in Action documentary festival on June 20 showcased the talent and expression of Black voices in the community. The festival featured four documentaries highlighting black experiences and real-life stories. It was held at the ArtsXChange at the Southeast Cultural Center in East Point. A panel with the film directors immediately following the event was moderated by the founder of Atlanta Influences Everything and Atlanta Way 2.0 board member Bem Joiner.
When walking into the event space, I immediately felt a strong sense of community and familiarity. It was obvious that the people there were comfortable around each other and had a strong passion for bringing art and joy into the world. One highlight of the night was getting to learn about the history of the ArtsXChange building and what a special place it is. Originally built as a space where Black creatives could express themselves through art, the building continues to be a staple in the community that houses multicultural and multigenerational forms of artistry and social change. It allowed me to understand the importance of the arts in communities and how they can connect people.
Getting to view the films themselves was a great opportunity. As a student with a profound interest in the film industry, seeing how local filmmakers put together stories surrounding their lives and passions through films was an informative experience that inspired me to think about my future career goals. The four documentaries shown were as follows: City of Kings, directed by Will Feagins Jr.; Just People and Say Yes to Destiny, both directed by Jonathan Banks; and Rhyme Travelers, directed by Ethan Payne.
City of Kings is a creative, street-art inspired film that explores the world of graffiti and style writing throughout the walls and buildings of Atlanta, featuring some of Atlanta’s most famous and notable style writers. The film’s director, Will Feagins, won the Georgia Filmmaker of the Year award in 2024.
Just People follows the work of ReEntry Arts Connection, a non-profit organization based in Atlanta that uses the power of art to support those recently released from prison and to reduce recidivism.
Similarly, Rhyme Travelers follows the work of a non-profit organization, Soul Food Cypher, that provides spaces for local rappers and freestylers to collaborate and create music. The film features many different freestylers, allowing them to share their experiences in these events. Alex “Cost” Acosta, Soul Food Cypher’s founder, also participated in the panel following the screening.
Say Yes to Destiny highlights the life and work of Alice Lovelace, an artist, poet, educator, activist, and more, who has impacted the lives and paths of many Atlanta citizens and is also the founder of ArtsXChange. Seeing her groundbreaking effect on people’s lives laid out on film brought to my attention the changemaker she is. Alice Lovelace was also in attendance at the festival.
Each short film celebrated the importance of the arts in people’s lives and how they can change someone’s life for the better. They allowed me to understand many different aspects of the lives of Atlanta citizens, aspects I would have never been aware of so thoroughly otherwise. Though each film represented art in different ways, they all communicated the same sentiment: Art is a universal language that connects people globally and has an important place in human culture. Alice Lovelace, the founder of ArtsXChange, introduced the event, saying, “The arts are an important part of what makes us human…the thing that allows us to connect to other people in all parts of the world, that common language that links us together.”
Following the screening was a panel moderated by Bem Joiner that featured Will Feagins Jr., Alex Acosta, Jonathan Banks, Dr. Curtis A. King and Garry Yates – some of the filmmakers and founders of the nonprofit organizations noted in the short films. The panel focused on each person’s background and involvement with the films and their challenges and processes when making them, especially financially, as independent filmmakers. It touched on the increasing costs of living in Atlanta and its impact on artists. The panelists addressed the effects of gentrification and demographic changes on the arts community in Atlanta, as well as classism, “Atlanta is no longer a Black-majority city…They’re being pushed to the margins of the city.” Organizations like South Fulton Arts and BronzeLens were highlighted, as investing in the arts community is needed, especially during times like right now, where gentrification is pushing black people out of Atlanta.
These organizations, South Fulton Arts, BronzeLens, and the ArtsXChange, are also helpful resources in finding more arts and cultural events like this one in Atlanta. The event was an excellent opportunity for me to learn about the importance of Black voices and the need to have cultural outlets to broadcast those messages. It’s important to plug these events into the community and learn about the landscape of this industry. I was glad to have the opportunity to attend. These champions in the community open conversations and provide insight into the culture of film in Atlanta.
This summer, Atlanta Way 2.0 and SaportaReport are partnering on an initiative to strengthen the civic fabric of greater Atlanta through journalism. We have two amazing interns who will share their journey in our weekly column.
