The Intersection of Art, Politics, Culture, and Social Change

What are the freedoms and limitations of Independent filmmaking in a time when the public conversation about the need for justice is happening literally in the town square, downtown city center or national monument? During a time of national discourse brought on by the important awareness that Black Lives Matter, this panel was formed to carry the conversation forward. Centered around the issues of implicit bias and institutional racism that the award-winning film Unarmed Man, directed by Harold Jackson III, recipient of the Best of Peer and Peer Gold awards, explores, the panel will raise these issues up and encourage a meaningful dialogue.

Topics

• Law enforcement and BLM reaction to Unarmed Man
• The national conversation around police funding priorities and racial profiling
• Discussion of the freedoms, limitations, responsibilities and opportunities associated with social justice-focused indie filmmaking

About “Best of Peer” Winner Unarmed Man

Civil unrest erupts after Police Officer Greg Yelich shoots and kills an unarmed man during a routine traffic stop. Forced to give a statement, the Officer recounts his version of events in a scathing examination of racial profiling, fear, prejudice and violence as the case statement interviewer (Aaron Williamson) unravels the incident one murky layer at a time.

The film’s trailer can be seen here.

The full film is available on Amazon Prime here (though it is by no means required for participation in and understanding of the event).

Panelists

1. Harold Jackson III
   Writer/Director of Unarmed Man, recipient of Best of PEER and Peer Gold awards. An Emmy-nominated producer, Harold is also a recent winner of Best Screenplay and Audience Choice at ABFF for the film Last Night. Harold is a former United States Marine and currently based in Washington, DC.
2. Danny Gavigan
   Lead actor, Unarmed Man. Danny was most recently the recipient of the Peer Gold award for Acting on Camera-Fiction, Male at the 23rd TIVA Peer Awards.
3. Rev. Mansfield “Kasey” Kaseman
   Montgomery County Executive Interfaith Community Liaison/Ex Officio, Faith Community Advisory Council. Kasey has been engaged in ecumenical and interfaith ministries since his student days, providing security for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and establishing nonprofits and helping implement Racial Justice Now.
4. Amanda Beard-White
   Producer and CEO of HanoverDiversity.org, a diversity education and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting equity, inclusion, and acceptance for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, mental, physical or financial ability.
5. V.L. Blackman (BKA) Nia 2X
   President of the Greater DC Chapter of National Action Network, a civil rights organization focused on promoting a modern civil rights agenda, founded by Reverend Al Sharpton, with chapters throughout the United States.
6. Captain Joe Perez
   Retired Police Captain, Prince George’s County Police Department, and current President of the Hispanic National Law Enforcement Association, a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of Hispanic and minority interests within the law enforcement profession.