the Juneteenth Film Festival
'Juneteenth' Fest Draws Black Filmmakers
By The Associated Press
DALLAS - Young black filmmakers are traveling to northern Texas this week as organizers of the Juneteenth Film Festival search for the next Spike Lee.
The five-day festival features celebrities including Steve Harvey and Erykah Badu , more than 20 original films and $50,000 in scholarships.
"We are focused on trying to attract the quality and depth of films that touch on the subjects of freedom, independence and racial issues," said Kennedy Barnes, a member of the festival's board of directors. "We encouraged the student filmmakers to submit films that were motivational or inspirational in keeping with the message of Juneteenth."
Juneteenth, or June 19, is the day in 1865 that Union General Gordon Granger read the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston. That freed about 250,000 slaves in Texas — 2 1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the proclamation.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Juneteenth becoming a Texas state holiday, and 25 other states also recognize the day.
