Event

Standing On My Sisters' Shoulders

In 1965, when three women walked into the US House of Representatives in Washington D.C., they had come a very long way. Neither lawyers nor politicians, they were ordinary women from Mississippi,and descendants of African slaves. They had come to their countrys capital seeking civil rights, the first black women to be allowed in the senate chambers in nearly 100 years. A missing chapter in our nations record of the Civil Rights movement, this powerful documentary reveals the movement in Mississippi in the 1950s and 60s from the point of view of the courageous women who lived it and emerged as its grassroots leaders. Their living testimony offers a window into a unique moment when the founders promise of freedom and justice passed from rhetoric to reality for all Americans. Through moving interviews and powerful archival footage, STANDING ON MY SISTERS' SHOULDERS weaves a story of commitment, passion and perseverance and tells the story of the women fought for change in Mississippi and altered the course of American history forever.

"If you can show just one film on the Civil Rights Movement, this should be the one. An exquisite tool for high school and college teachers of history, women's studies, African American studies, and related subjects. Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hammer, Unita Blackwell, and countless others at last get the recognition they deserve." Pricilla Murolo, Sarah Lawrence

A powerful and moving film about ordinary women armed with sheer determination Jennifer Moffet, Jackson Free Press

AWARDS, FESTIVALS, & SCREENINGS

Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO)
Pensacola Film and Video Festival Best Documentary
Pan African Film Festival Best Documentary
Savannah Film and Video Festival Special Jury Prize
Atlanta Film Festival - Audience Award
African American Women in Cinema Film Festival - Audience Award
Long Island Film Expo - Humanitarian Award
Dances with Films - Audience Award
New Orleans Film Festival
Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival
Women in the Directors Chair
USA Film Festival
Big Muddy Film Festival
Sedona International Film Festival