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Diverse collection of films showing at inaugural African American Film Festival

Sarika Jagtiani
The News Journal
Michael B. Jordan portrays Oscar Grant in “Fruitvale Station.”

Four films representing the African American experience are coming to the big screen this weekend in Lewes.

The first African American Film Festival hosted by the Rehoboth Beach Film Society and Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice is debuting at the Cinema Art Theater (17701 Dartmouth Drive, Dartmouth Plaza).

First up is “Fruitvale Station,” which follows Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan), a 22-year-old Oakland, California, man on the last day of his life. Grant was shot and killed by a transportation officer at a rail stop on New Year’s Day in 2009.

Showing Friday at 7 p.m., “Fruitvale Station” was directed by Ryan Coogler. He and Jordan have worked together twice again: In “Creed” and a little movie opening this weekend, “Black Panther.” Maybe you’ve heard of it?

Saturday at 4:30 p.m. comes “Through a Lens Darkly,” a documentary looking at family photo albums, from slavery to present day, through the eyes of black photographers.

Screening Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. is “Big Words,” a drama in which three former members of a hip-hop crew reunite and take stock of their dreams on the eve of President Obama’s election.

Closing out the series is “3 1/2 minutes, 10 Bullets,” which shows at 2 p.m. Sunday. The documentary recalls the tragedy that unfolded on Black Friday 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida. Four African-American teens including Jordan Davis argued with Michael Dunn, a white man parked beside them, over the volume of their music. It ended with Dunn shooting at the boys and killing Davis. The documentary looks at the incident and Florida’s Stand Your Ground laws.

Admission is $10 per screening, and tickets are available at www.rehobothfilm.com or at 302-645-9095, ext. 1.