The Awesome Fest Presents The Philadelphia Premiere of "Black Power Mixtape", Post-Screening Panel Discussion

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) August 31, 2011 – The Awesome Fest, along with sponsors Zip Car and FlixFling and partners Scrapple.tv and Weathervane Music & WXPN, and event partners IFC Films and ReelBlack, continues its 2011 summer series at the Piazza at Schmidt’s next Thursday, September 8 at 7pm with a screening of the documentary The Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975. Following the film, a panel of intellectuals and professionals will engage one another, and the audience at large, on the topics and themes addressed within the film.

The film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, is comprised of recently unearthed footage shot by a Swedish documentary crew between the years 1967-1975, as well as contemporary perspective provided by artists and individuals who were influenced by the actions of the movement.

The Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 is a candid look at one of the most impactful moments in recent American history- the Black Power movement. Utilizing footage shot by Swedish camera crews during the height of the movement, which was then left unused in a Swedish TV basement for nearly thirty years, BPMT presents the movement, and some of its leaders—Stokely Carmichael, Angela Davies—at their most intimate and candid. With a soundtrack provided by Om’Mas and Philly’s own ?uestlove, and insights from prominent African-American artists such as Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli, BPMT simultaneously portrays a moment in American history while exploring its lasting impact and cultural legacy in our modern times.

**Immediately following the screening there will be a panel discussion on the topics and themes explored within the film. The panel will be comprised of: Dr. Molefi Asante (Temple University), Chill Moody (hip-hop artist), Gregory Walker (founder, The Brothers Network), Michael Dennis (ReelBlack), and will be moderated by Nicole Gilles (Multicultural Director, GPFO).

Please note that, for the remainder of September, The Awesome Fest screenings will occur on Thursday evenings.

For more information on the summer’s line-up or to view the film’s trailers visit The Awesome Fest on the web at www.theawesomefest.com.

ABOUT ‘THE BLACK POWER MIXTAPE: 1967-1975’:
The Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 mobilizes a treasure trove of 16mm material shot by Swedish journalists who came to the US drawn by stories of urban unrest and revolution. Gaining access to many of the leaders of the Black Power Movement—Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Angela Davis and Eldridge Cleaver among them—the filmmakers captured them in intimate moments and remarkably unguarded interviews. Thirty years later, this lush collection was found languishing in the basement of Swedish Television. Director Göran Olsson and co-producer Danny Glover bring this footage to light in a mosaic of images, music and narration chronicling the evolution one of our nation's most indelible turning points, the Black Power movement. Music by Questlove and Om'Mas Keith, and commentary from prominent African- American artists and activists who were influenced by the struggle -- including Erykah Badu, Harry Belafonte, Talib Kweli, and Melvin Van Peebles -- give the historical footage a fresh, contemporary resonance and makes the film an exhilarating, unprecedented account of an American revolution.