By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer
The Sacramento Black Film Festival makes its return at the end of the month, bringing with it a compelling lineup of short films.
The festival, also known as Cine Soul, is 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, at the California Railroad Museum, 125 I St. in Old Sacramento. The event has been a beacon of African American cinema since 2005.
The summer session showcases African American films, including “Mildred 4 A Million,” starring legendary television icon Marla Gibbs. The film, by Kim “Kimmie P” Callaway, follows a great-grandmother’s quest for a million TikTok followers to connect with her tablet-obsessed great-granddaughter. Fans are in for a treat as Gibbs, 94, is scheduled to attend. Gibbs is best known for her role as Florence Johnston, the sassy housekeeper on the classic 1970s sitcom “The Jeffersons.” She also starred in the 1980s hit show “227.” In recent years the veteran actress appeared on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and its spin-off “Station 19.” Gibbs received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2021.
Also featured during the Summer 2025 Cine Sol showcase is “Love is Blind” by local filmmaker Parneille Walker, who recently moved to Los Angeles; “Boo Boo Hands!” by Dr. Tia Madison; “TAP,” by Zemario Sheppard; “No,” by Jack Leonidas; “We Got Ours,” by Alycia Cooper; “In the Midst of T.H.E.M.” by Terrence Tyrie Ivory; “Piano Man,” by Zemario Sheppard; and “Left on Read,” also by Sheppard.
For ticket information and to view available trailers of the featured films, visit cinesoul.org.Cine Soul is part of the Sacramento International Film Festival, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. A gala, presented by SAG AFTRA, is scheduled for 8-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at ReUnion, 926 Second St., also in Old Sacramento. For more information, visit californiafilm.net.