This experience is apart of Venture Cafe’s weekly events, therefore, all guest are welcome to freely walk in on July 13th. Seating is first-come first-served, however, to better ensure your seat at the Art and Social Change Experience, you can pre-register now for priority seating.

The Philadelphia Film Factory (Philm Factory) in association with Venture Cafe’ and Eli Lu Entertainment will host the “The Art for Social Change Experience” on July 13th, 2023 from 4pm – 8pm at the Venture Cafe’ located at 3675 Market Street, Philadelphia PA Suite 200, 19104.

The Art For Social Change Experience will seek to reimagine the Black community through new lenses. The event will bring forth multiple black change leaders, creatives, artists, industry professionals and organizations, to present how they’re impacting the black community through various art forms. The Philm Factory seeks to use arts and humanities as a vehicle for social change to encourage, inspire, and incentivize people to change.

The Art For Social Change Experience will begin with a welcome from Senator Vincent Hughes, followed by the Philm Factory Art For Social Change presentation which includes Philm Factory’s “Take One” youth film mentorship program, two Social Change honorees: Cassandra Green, community organizer, activist, mentor, Co-Founder of Mill Creek Community Partnership, and Ryan Harris, founder & CEO of “As I Plant This Seed”; and performances by local artists from 5pm – 6pm. This experience will feature a 1hr  Screening of the film work in progress (WIP: “Black Terror”, a bicoastal collaboration of WACO Theater Center and Newark Symphony Hall. Black Terror tells the story of a group of Black freedom fighters defending their community by any means.The film is being produced and directed by celebrity actor Richard Lawson and Executive Produced the notable Tina Knowles Lawson, both Co-Artist Directors of the Where Art Can Occur (WACO) Theater Center in Los Angeles. Richard Lawson is a professional actor with over fifty years in the industry, director, producer, and master teacher at Richard Lawson Studios. Tina Knowles Lawson is an entrepreneur, fashion designer, and philanthropist. The Drama Desk Award Winning play Black Terror was originally produced fifty years ago by playwright and screenwriter Richard Wesley in 1973. The film synopsis is currently making its rounds around the world and nation, previously screening at the Pavillon Afriques, as part of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France and also screening the highly attended Essence Fest which runs from June 30th – July 2, 2023. 

Following the screening, there will be a Black Terror Town Hall & Panel Discussion from 6-8pm, which will feature the director Richard Lawson and more guests. The panel discussion will be moderated by Philm Factory’s co-founders and West Philly natives, Eli and Lu Bevins who also served as Creative Producers and Post Production Supervisors on the Black Terror Film. The purpose of the Black Terror Town Hall is to challenge black community members with thought provoking conversations regarding the current state of the black economy, physical and mental health, activism and sparking solution driven ideas for rebuilding black communities, black ownership, and encouraging black entrepreneurialism. 

From 4pm – 8pm the Philm Factory will showcase social change curations sprinkled on the 3rd floor during Venture Cafe’s weekly networking mixer. During the duration of the experience, there will be a wall video projection of “From The Root Of The Fruit” by portrait photographer Ken McFarlane, a Philadelphia based documentary and portrait photographer focused on creating and presenting images and stories from the standpoint of Resident Artist, which will be curated by We Embrace Fatherhood on the rooftop terrace. 

This event is free and open to the public. Funds raised during the event will support The Philm Factory’s yearly programming and programs such as the “Take One” Youth Film Mentorship Program. The program uses filmmaking to teach life skills such as critical thinking, decision making, communication and leadership skills, mathematics and budgeting, strategizing and team building. Youth work in various departments as young professionals to create one focused based product: film.