Chapman Black Film Society celebrates Black History Month

During the month of February, the Black Film Society screened “Moonlight” and “Fruitvale Station,” followed by discussions about the films. Photo collage by EMILY PARIS, photo editor

What do the films “Moonlight” and “Fruitvale Station” have in common? Yes, they are both directed by Black filmmakers, and yes, they are both emotional, critically acclaimed films that broach the topic of race. But they are also two films the Chapman University Black Film Society chose to screen this past February. 

The “Moonlight” screening was held on Feb. 9 and “Fruitvale Station” screening was held on Feb. 16. These events were the brainchild of junior film production major Madison Welborn, who serves as the Black Film Society’s founder and president. The Black Film Society, which was founded in the spring of 2021, and is open to all students no matter their race. 

“As someone who’s Black, you’re constantly looking for people who look like you on campus,” said Madison Welborn, Black Film Society president. “When you find that, especially in your (field of) interest, that holds a lot of weight.” Photo courtesy of Madison Welborn

Welborn told The Panther that the club also seeks to offer a place for Black film students to connect with one another. The club does not meet weekly but is event based, hosting a myriad of events including discussions with industry professionals, workshops and screenings. 

Welborn founded the club when she was a freshman and told The Panther that Zachary Patterson, the president of The Film Society, showed her how to put on events during COVID-19 when Welborn was across the country in Maryland. 

After being contacted by Patterson about putting together screenings featuring Black directors, Welborn was quick to choose “Moonlight,” directed by Barry Jenkins, as one of the films. 

“'Moonlight' is my favorite film of all time,” Welborn said. “I think it highlights a lot of stuff about race, Blackness and sexuality, so there’s multiple categories that it touches on.” 

Choosing the second film took a little more deliberation. Welborn told The Panther they wanted to choose a film that told a true story. “Fruitvale Station,” directed by Ryan Coogler, tells the true story of Oscar Grant III, who was killed by a white police officer in a train station in 2009.

“(‘Fruitvale Station’) is such a powerful story,” Welborn said. “It’s a short film. It’s only an hour and 25 minutes, but it still holds a lot of weight.”

The discussions that followed the screenings gave students the opportunity to explore different aspects of the films, including cinematography, storytelling and subject matter. 

Junior screenwriting major Kyla Jackson, who is the club’s social media manager, told The Panther the conversations were a wonderful opportunity to expose people to different perspectives. 

During the “Fruitvale Station” discussion, for instance, Welborn asked the audience why the director chose to end the film with a flashback of Oscar and his daughter, and whether it was a good directorial choice. Welborn told The Panther the discussion pivoted towards the relevance of the scene and began to feel one-sided as she and Jackson were the only people of color present, but they continued with the conversation and students were able to share their varying views. 

“That’s the importance of having a discussion,” Jackson said. “Not only hearing the other side, but teaching them as well.”

Junior television writing and production major Jennings Gibbs-Barger attended the “Moonlight” screening and told The Panther she values the space the Black Film Society offers and said it is important to have such a club on campus. 

“I think that finding that community is super important because the industry we’re all trying to get in is obviously very white, male dominated,” Gibbs-Barger said. “So I think it’s very important to have that support system in case something happens or you’re trying to work through an issue.” 

Welborn has and continues to put together events that connect Black film students to one another and to the greater film community. In the past, the club has held discussions with executive producer Jesse Collins and actress Bresha Webb. Welborn told The Panther she particularly enjoyed speaking with director Deon Taylor. 

Moving forward, Welborn told The Panther she hopes to put on in-person speaking events and connect with other Black film societies. For now, she hopes the Black Film Society will offer community to Black students at Chapman.

“As someone who’s Black, you’re constantly looking for people who look like you on campus,” Welborn said. “When you find that, especially in your (field of) interest, that holds a lot of weight.”

Most importantly, Welborn and Jackson said they hope that going forward, the Black Film Society’s presence will be seen and heard on campus, especially by the students who may need it. 

For more information about the Black Film Society and upcoming events visit their Instagram or email.