Documentary Centerpiece: Stamped from the Beginning at the Montclair Film Festival

The Montclair Film Festival is excited to announce the highly anticipated documentary centerpiece that is sure to captivate audiences. This year’s centerpiece is none other than the critically acclaimed and thought-provoking film, Stamped from the Beginning. Produced by an outstanding team of filmmakers, this documentary takes a deep look at the history of racism in America through the lens of its three most influential figures: Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and W.E.B Du Bois. By examining the lives and legacies of these iconic figures, Stamped from the Beginning offers a fresh perspective on the origins of racism in America and how it has evolved throughout history. This powerful and impactful film promises to be a conversation starter, sparking reflection and discussion on a topic that is as relevant today as ever. Don’t miss your chance to experience this extraordinary documentary in the heart of Montclair, where film and culture intersect.

Oscar-winning director Roger Ross Williams brings Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s New York Times bestseller to the screen with STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING. Published in 2016, Dr. Kendi’s National Book Award winner chronicles the entire story of anti-Black racist ideas and their staggering power over the course of American history. Williams’ documentary adaptation uses vivid animations that illuminate figures and moments both well-known and obscure, both historical and contemporary. Leading Black women academics and activists such as Dr. Angela Davis, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Dr. Jennifer L. Morgan, and Dr. Kendi guide viewers through a searing account of how racist tropes and imagery were developed and enshrined in American culture.

Q&A with Director Roger Ross Williams follows the screening.

A Netflix release

This Screening is Co-Presented by

• Section: Documentary Centerpiece

• Release Year: 2023

• Director: Roger Ross Williams

• Producer: Alisa Payne, David Teague, Roger Ross Williams

• Subject: Ibram X. Kendi, Dr. Angela Davis, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Dr. Jennifer L. Morgan

• Country: USA

The 12th annual Montclair Film Festival will take place October 20-29, 2023. The full festival schedule will be announced in late September. Tickets go on sale to Members on October 2 and to the General Public on October 6. For more information, visit montclairfilm.org.

Montclair Film today revealed the artwork for this year’s Montclair Film Festival. The design, created by Montclair creative agency, Hiker, replicates the printing technique risograph to create an energetic and exciting representation of the annual festival. The team used words that capture the feel of the festival including Connect, Excite, Inspire and Explore and their corresponding visual sound waves in combination with phrases that embody the power of film on the big screen such as Cinema Opens Worlds and Cinema Sparks Dreams. Four different posters have been created and will be used across different applications of the campaign.

“The design language is inspired by risographs,” said designer Nayeon Lee from Hiker. “It’s a printing technique derived from a specific brand of Japanese printer that just looks cool to me. And I wanted to make something exciting, which is why the design incorporates soundwaves and bright colors. The soundwaves are based on real words – inspire, connect, excite, explore – which all circle back to how we relate to cinema.”

“The treatment captures the energy and excitement of the Montclair Film Festival. We love the street art feel of the work and the engaging, textured look
of the risograph technique,” remarked Montclair Film’s Executive Director and Co-Head Beth Gottung.

“Montclair Film is a fantastic partner for Hiker. Curious, smart, equity-focused, and a beacon for arts and learning in the community, Montclair Film represents so much that matters to us as a creative agency. We are a better agency for this partnership, and grateful for the collaboration with the entire Montclair Film team,” stated Gregor Clark, Principal & Founder of Hiker

“It’s been wonderful to work with Hiker on this collaboration. They brought ideas to the table that challenged what we’ve traditionally done, and we love where the final artwork ended up,” said Montclair Film’s Marketing Director Jill Montague