
Students hit the silver screen for Black History Month Film Festival in Country Club Hills
Sisters Ariana and Anaya Lawton are still in elementary school, but they recently saw their work on the silver screen at Marcus Country Club Hills Cinema after participating in making a film called 'Modern Icons,' about notable Black heroes.
Ariana, a 5th grader at Prairie-Hills S.T.E.A.M. Academy in Markham, worked on editing and production while Anaya had an acting part in one of the segments. The film featured news and stories about famous athletes and artists such as Simone Biles, LeBron James, Will Smith and Issa Rae.
It was one of four films put together by School District 144 students, teachers and staff and showcased during a Black History Month Film Festival at the theater last week. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade, along with several staff members had been working on the films since November.
In 'Modern Icons,' students discussed what they liked about Simone Biles and displayed some gymnastic moves of their own.
'I love Simone Biles and her flips and tricks,' said one student.
'I bet you didn't know she had 37 medals,' said another.
'The greatest gymnast in the world,' a third student piped in.
The festival's other films were 'Obama Everything' from Nob Hill Elementary School in Country Club Hills, 'The Story of Wallstreet Trapper,' from Mae Jamison School in Hazel Crest, and 'Whatchu Know about House' from Prairie Hills Junior High School in Markham.
The district's film festival was the brainchild of Superintendent Kinasha Brown and technology director Leonard Hill, though language arts and reading teachers, media specialists, principals and School Board members also chipped in ideas and hard work.
Brown said the celebration of Black History Month was created as 'a space where kids could really showcase their talent' while having the chance to see themselves on the big screen.
Hill, who oversaw the project, said students used iPads to make the videos, attaching gimbals to add stability to the cameras. Some, he said, needed no learning curve to handle the technology.
Hill came up with the idea of the festival but said Brown encouraged him to build on his ideas.
'She's very inspiring,' Hill said. 'She's a great leader. She gives us ideas and allows us to evolve in our own ways, and I appreciate that about her.'
The goal was to bring to life an 'African American hero or chain of events that has some type of inspiration for African American history,' Hill said.
After each film, a district administrator led question and answer sessions, so students could discuss what they learned and what they liked about making the films.
The project also required tight coordination with the theatre. The festival was only open to district families, staff and officials.
Hill said he hopes to repeat the event in future years.
'I plan for it to get better and better,' he said.
Amaris Winters, principal of Markham Park Elementary, also helped coordinate the event and credited Brown's emphasis on the arts as a guiding force.
'She came in and just changed the culture of our district,' said Winters. 'She is pushing creativity and the arts and what is best for kids. This is how we take the time and develop the whole student.'
Sharron Davis, a School Board member and grandmother of filmmakers Ariana and Anaya, said the experience was great for students.
'To let them see their film at a neighborhood theatre … I love this,' she said. 'I have not known anyone to do that before.'
Aubry Crain, District 144's board secretary, said the creativity showcased in the festival has additional benefits.
'Art has always been a good mental health outlet for me,' she said. 'Creative minds also do great things,' she said.
For Angela Davis, the mother of filmmaking sisters Ariana and Amaya, the festival 'was very exciting.'
'It showed them they could learn different things and be a part of something that is brand new,' she said. 'It's just a wonderful experience.'
Her daughter agreed.
'I like being in the movie a lot,' Ariana said just before making her silver screen debut.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Reigning ‘American Idol' winner Jamal Roberts brings down the house at BET Awards with Kirk Franklin, Tamar Braxton, and more gospel superstars
Weeks after winning American Idol, Jamal Roberts had a star-studded coronation at the BET Awards. The 27-year-old gospel and R&B singer from Meridian, Miss., won Season 23 of ABC's reality TV show on May 18 against country singer John Foster. In doing so, Roberts became the first Black man to win American Idol since Ruben Studdard 22 years prior. "I'm anointed. I know how to use it. I know how to tap in," Roberts told Gold Derby after his victory. More from GoldDerby Mariah Carey and Jamie Foxx steal the spotlight at 2025 BET Awards: Watch highlights and see the full winners list Kristen Kish dishes on Season 22 of 'Top Chef,' Emmys, and the show's global impact: 'It's all driven by the fans' 'Survivor 50' spoilers: Jeff Probst on the 'competitive, dramatic' first challenge and what the 24 players told him at the marooning The physical education teacher and singer brought the house down at the BET Awards on Monday during a special group performance with Kirk Franklin, Tamar Braxton, Muni Long, and more gospel superstars. Watch the video salute: The 2025 awards ceremony honored Black excellence in media for what was dubbed "Culture's Biggest Night." The nearly five-hour telecast prioritized entertainment, with special honors being doled out to Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and Snoop Dogg. On the awards front, Kendrick Lamar finished the night with a leading five wins for music. The Best Movie prize went to the documentary Luther: Never Too Much. Denzel Washington was honored as Best Actor, while Cynthia Erivo claimed the award for Best Actress. Hours before the BET Awards, Roberts serenaded NeNe Leakes on her talk show with a soulful (and completely a cappella) rendition of Joe's "All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)." The Real Housewives star was clearly moved by his voice, as she repeatedly shimmied her shoulders. "I'm just shining, honey!" she shouted when he mentioned a lyric about her shining like a diamond. The BET Awards wasn't the first time Jamal Roberts and Kirk Franklin appeared together at the same venue. During last month's American Idol finale, Franklin took the stage with contestant Canaan James Hill for a compilation of "Melodies from Heaven" and "Love Theory." Later on that night, Roberts performed "Unpretty" and "Liar" with Jelly Roll, and then belted out "Heal" as his winning song. Roberts went viral during his time on the competition show with his performances of "Tennessee Whiskey," "Liar," "Forever," "Try a Little Tenderness," "Shout," "Heal," "Undo It," "I Believe," "Go the Distance," "A Change Is Gonna Come," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," and "Beauty and the Beast." The 23rd season of American Idol was hosted as always by Ryan Seacrest, and featured Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie in the judges' seats. It will be eligible at the upcoming 2025 Emmys. SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby The 25 best 'Survivor' villains of the past 25 years 'Survivor' winners list: All seasons 'The Voice' winners: All seasons Click here to read the full article.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Doechii Calls Out Trump Administration for ‘Creating Fear and Chaos' at L.A. Protests in BET Awards Speech
Doechii made the most of her first BET Award win on Monday night, telling an audience of honorees and attendees at the Peacock Theater that she felt a 'responsibility as an artist' to address the immigration protests and raids in Los Angeles. 'I do want to address what's happening right now, outside the building,' said Doechii, referring to the protests happening in Downtown Los Angeles, home of the Peacock Theater. 'These are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities. In the name of law and order, Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be — when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.' More from Variety BET Awards Winners 2025 (Updating Live) Kendrick Lamar, Doechii and Drake Lead 2025 BET Award Nominations Kevin Hart to Host 2025 BET Awards California National Guard troops arrived in the city on Sunday in a show of force following division between immigration agents and protesters and amid a burgeoning fight between California and the Trump administration. Protests started on Friday after Immigration Customs Enforcement officers carried out raids in three locations across Los Angeles, where dozens of people were taken into custody, per NBC News. Doechii said she would use her voice to stand up for 'all oppressed people, for Black people, for Latino people, for trans people, for the people in Gaza.' She continued, 'What type of government is that? People are being swept up and torn from their families? We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear. And I hope we stand together my brothers and my sisters against hate and we protest against it.' Doechii won the award for best female hip-hop artist, a category that also recognized Cardi B, Doja Cat, Glorilla, Latto, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Rapsody and Sexyy Red as nominees. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Levitt Pavilion Dayton teams with Urban Arts for Juneteenth event
Last year's Juneteenth celebration above. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Levitt Pavilion Dayton and Home of Urban Creative Arts have partnered together for the fifth annual Juneteenth commemoration and concert. The free Legacy of Freedom II event will be held on Thursday, June 19, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will also be a pre-event tribute to culture and heritage, through soul southern line dancing. DJ SKNO will keep the celebration going up to 6 p.m., when the ceremonies begin. The ceremony will feature the DJAPO Cultural Arts Institute African Dance and Drumming. Also, a Black Music Month tribute by Premium Blend. There will be poetry, face painting, a live choir, creative sculptures, food trucks and more. The R&B visionary, Goapele, will take stage at 7:45 p.m. to finish out the celebration with a concert. LGBTQ+ community celebrates Pride in downtown Dayton this weekend 'This year's theme centers on the enduring rhythm of resilience and ingenuity of Black people and our heritage and culture,' said Sierra Leone of Home of Urban Creative Arts. Leone spoke on the long legacy of Dayton, recognizing the past by honoring elders' wisdom and celebrating the present and young adults' promising potential. 'Although Juneteenth has been a federal holiday for three years, it has been celebrated for the past 159 years,' said Leone. 'It is our joy to shine a light on the dynamic spirit, unwavering strength, and boundless creativity of the Black experience.' To learn more about the event, click here. To follow 2 NEWS' Juneteenth coverage, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.