Friday, September 24, 6:00 AM I’m sitting in the chair as FacesbyPureness puts her finishing touches on my makeup. Mello stands back and admires her handy work. In a few minutes, we’ll hop in the car and head east to Little Jamaica, that’s where we’ll pick up Toronto Pan Afrikan Film Festival director, Lori Beazer. Destination: the 6th Annual Detroit Black Film Festival.
We set out early, the sky just barely pink at the horizon. The drive was smooth, hours slipping by thanks to our pit stop at Tim Horton’s (we’re so Canadian), as we left the city behind and approached the border crossing. We rolled over the Ambassador Bridge, that iconic suspension span connecting Windsor, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan. It never fails to remind me of how borderlines are both real and made and how stories cross them anyway.
By mid-morning we arrived at our Airbnb loft, tucked in an old automotive building in Detroit. It had that industrial charm, high ceilings, exposed brick, that gave off this “we once made cars here” energy. We had a few hours before the gala, so we did what felt right: plastered ourselves on the couch, turned on Netflix, and watched When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts by Spike Lee. The weight of that Katrina story hung heavy in the room. We sat in silence, reflecting on the stories of displacement, re-zoning, disenfranchisement recognizing how, even though we face challenges in Canada, we carry so many privileges that don’t allow us to fully comprehend what living under those systems must feel like.
Time moved fast. Before we knew it, we were getting dressed. Shout out to Fatima at FAB Boutique (Jane & Finch Mall), she dressed me in a wine colored two piece masterpiece the perfect compliment to my Mello my man, who looked handsome as always, in his wine-colored suit. God truly made that man for me. Lori stunned in a green Pan-Afrikan–inspired gown by BenniBoo.
Walking into the Charles H. Wright Museum, 315 E Warren Ave, Detroit, MI for the gala, we felt like we had arrived into something meaningful. That museum spoke to our soul, you could feel the ancestors present in the space. The air crackled with expectation. We sipped wine, including selections from the E-40 collection and mingled with American and international filmmakers, creatives, and fans. One of my favourite parts of the night was visiting one of the best museum gift shops I’ve ever been in. The Wright Museum has some very cool swag and had plenty of inspiration from the merch in the store.
🎬 Opening Night: Films That Stayed With Us
Wednesdays with Gramps
Wednesdays with Gramps, a 2025 animated short film by DreamWorks, was produced by Shadira Cleaver, her Black Girl Magic was all over this piece Directed by Chris Copeland and Justin Copeland, Wednesdays with Gramps is this beautiful, quiet gem. It follows a teenager who gradually realizes just how much he has in common with his grandfather, in their values, their stories, even their pain. Mello and I both agreed this is a must-see with our kids (shout out to Brayden, Zion, Reign, and Cyrus). It’s the kind of film that nudges at your heart and lingers in your thoughts after the credits roll.
Ado
This was a heavy one. The film, directed by Sam Henderson featuring Jenifer Lewis follows a school shooting scenario; a young shooter, reeling and desperate, runs into his former teacher during the act. I won’t spoil the ending, but it stays with you in the gut. I found myself breathing harder, praying for healing, thinking about the brokenness in our world.
Kofi
We also caught a glimpse of Toronto’s own Sagine Semajuste in Kofi, Directed by Marianna Phung. In the film Sagine plays a role we don’t always get to see her in, but she held her presence powerfully. Always doing the work, always rising, I’m here for it! (#CanadianContent)
Red Clay
Another film that haunted me, Red Clay Directed by Christian Nolan Jones: a story about a young man whose father is incarcerated for selling drugs. He’s conflicted about selling crack to his own mother to keep her afloat while grappling with grief, survival, and moral dissonance. I can’t fathom the weight of that decision, but the film brought those tensions to life so sharply I felt them deeply.
Some special mentions from day one are:
DNH Muzic: My Music, My Journey: Directed by, Cindy Lee, Laundry: Directed by, Okema T. Moore and Don’t hang Up: Directed by, Diamond Batiste
After the screenings, there was a talkback: all the directors, producers, and attending filmmakers were eventually all invited to the stage. The love in that room was real. Coming from Toronto known for its “screw face” culture and then being surrounded by people who celebrated storytelling, who believed in the power of cinema without the gatekeeping, it felt like coming home.
We ended the night at Fishbone, 400 Monroe St, Detroit, MI, a southern soul spot. We had the funniest server who we believe should face her fear of stand-up comedy because she’s a natural. We laughed. We ate. We left full.
Saturday, September 26 — Day Two
We started with breakfast at Babo, located at 15 E Kirby St Detroit, MI. Oh lawd, the food was good! We have been talking about it since Saturday! We hustled to make it in time for our last block of films before we had to cut our stay short.
Two standouts from Day 2:
- The Cut by Jeremy Brockman featuring actor, Antoine Jackson. Mello booked it when he said those two seem to be creating a Spike and Denzel synergy. The story of a soldier who returns home, carrying invisible wounds, only to find his father’s health failing and deep familial resentment simmering just beneath the surface. Pain, reconciliation, memory, this one’s a gem. If you ever hear of The Cut, track it. And to the filmmaker, Jeremy, please submit to the Toronto Pan Afrikan Film Festival on FilmFreeway, Toronto needs to see this one.
- Legindary by directors, Dustin Booth and Wilbert Thomas, created a high vitality Faith based documentary following Hip Hop artist and speaker, Legin, who wrestles with rejection, purpose and the scars of an unresolved past. I didn’t catch a full showing at the festival, but this one’s on my radar.
Before we left Detroit, we went to dinner at Fixins! 1435 Randolph Street, Detroit, MI
The vibe, the food, the staff, the connections. Shout out to Nayah, best server ever! who not only bought my books and wine, but also convinced the owner to come sit with us. The owner turned out to be Kevin Johnson, the former NBA player. Imagine that? In that moment, we felt seen, heard, and unexpectedly inspired just like the film festival made us feel, maybe it’s a Detroit thing, What it do tho?
We hit the road late. Detroit’s lights faded behind us, the highway ahead long and steady. We rolled over the Ambassador Bridge back into Canada and pulled into our driveway in Toronto around 2:00 AM. Tired, but full of stories, excitement, new connections, and the promise that we’ll be back.
Thank you, Detroit Black Film Festival, Lazar and Marshalle Favors. Thank you, Detroit. You showed up. You made space. You celebrated us. And we felt it.
Until next time.
