Some of Hollywood’s A-list actors, music’s biggest artists and the movements most passionate voices are descending upon Los Angeles this weekend (Saturday August 29) to participate in the inaugural Blackout Music & Film Festival.
The festival, which will take place at the GRAMMY Museum in downtown LA Live, will kick off with a screening of Marc Silver’s documentary 3 1/2 Minutes, 10 Bullets, which examines the death of 17 year old Jordan Davis, followed by a showing of the widely praised Justin Simien’s Dear White People.
The festival will also feature a signature artist showcase from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, as well as pieces from Hank Willis Thomas, Synthia Saint, James, Bayeté and more.
Attendees will also have a chance to enjoy three panels, one dedicated to music, featuring Vibe’s Editor-In-Chief Datwon Thomas, producer Jimi “Chopmaster J” Dright, and artist Damani Nkosi. A second storytelling panel will feature Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross and a third social justice panel with have Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors and the Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, David Johns among others speaking of the importance of racial equality.
“With Blackout Music & Film Festival, our goal is to create a space for the exhibition and exploration of art that provides a springboard for critical analysis, community building and creative collaboration,” Ryan Coogler, founding member of Blackout for Human Rights said.
If you’re in the LA area and interested in attending, tickets for the festival are $10-$18, and can be purchased here