Local author Helen Pike writes about the compelling story of "The Ditchdigger's Daughters", a special film at the Newark Black Film Festival in Asbury Park. This true story follows the struggle and success of a local Long Branch family in the 1950's and 60's.

Read Helen Pike's article: 
"The Ditchdigger's Daughters: A black families astonishing success story" 
and other stories from the Newark Black Film Festival in Asbury Park.

The Newark Black Film Festival, now in its 34th year, is one of the nation’s oldest film festivals devoted to the presentation of films inspired by the complexity, excitement, and drama of contemporary black life on a global scale. The Festival begins next Friday June 27th with Eyes on the Prize at the Asbury Park High School Auditorium.

MCAC, in collaboration with the Newark Museum, has expanded the festival’s circuit to include Asbury Park in Monmouth County along with other venues in Newark and Trenton. Sponsored by Bank of America, the Newark Black Film Festival brings well-known speakers and filmmakers to the community. This free festival offers Q&As with filmmakers, directors, performers, and producers that add a personal touch and community relevance to the evenings. The diverse audiences in attendance create a dynamic atmosphere that encourages an enriching and meaningful cultural exchange and a truly educational community dialogue that traverses race, ethnicity, age and gender.

This six-week summer film festival also features the Paul Robeson Award for noncommercial independent films by African American and Black Diaspora filmmakers and Youth Cinema screenings with hands-on workshops.

Download Schedule 

Grant Guidelines are available for download, the grant deadline is June 27th.