Following Harry
World Premiere

Following Harry

Spotlight+
Feature | United States | 95 MINUTES | English
Documentary, Black & African American Diaspora Stories, Expressions of Black Freedom

Following Harry is an intimate portrait of Harry Belafonte whose work dedicated to social justice continued until his death in 2023 at age 96. The film allows audiences a window into the lived experiences of both his public and private life, dating from the killing of Trayvon Martin more than a decade ago and taking us on a journey to Florida, to Ferguson, to Ghana, and, finally, to Harry’s home in New York City. 

Accompanying Harry as he continues his mission, viewers watch as he shares his work with young activists, his approach to the current state of race relations in America and his hopes for the future. Featuring over 12 years of footage, the film features Harry with artist-activists Aja Monet, Aloe Blacc, Carmen Perez, Philip Agnew, Jesse Williams and more. It’s an inspiring account of a cultural and civil rights icon filled with passion and personal reflection that illustrates the legacy Belafonte left behind and the continuation of his life’s work.––Deborah Rudolph

After the Premiere Screening: The presentation of the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award with Jesse Williams, Aloe Blacc, Aja Monet, Matt Post, Carmen Perez, RodStarz, Sean Pica, and more.


Cast & Credits
Directed by
Susanne Rostock
Director
Susanne Rostock
Producer
Frankie Nasso, Edward Zeng, Susanne Rostock
Screenwriter
Susanne Rostock
Cinematographer
Martina Radwan
Composer
Hahn Rowe
Editor
Susanne Rostock
Executive Producer
Harry Belafonte, Pamela Belafonte, Jeffrey Kranzdorf, Karol Martesko-Fenster
Associate Producer
Helena Zeng, Cynthia Zeng
Co-Producer
Douglas Dicconson
Line Producer
Nico Sforza
Production Manager
David Johnson
Co-Executive Producer
Irene Mu
Cast
Harry Belafonte, Carmen Perez, Tamika Mallory, Linda Sarsour, Phillip Agnew, Steven Pargett, Aloe Blacc, Jasiri X, Aja Monet, RodStarz, Purvi Shaw, Tef Poe , Tory Russell, Dr. Cornell West, Jesse Williams, Gina Belafonte, Thenjiwe McHarris, Angela Davis, Rev William Barber, Paula Mendez, Kerry Kennedy, Matt Post, Kazu Haga, Jindai Joseph, Sean Pica, Choir Master Joe, Rosario Dawson, Chuck D, Talib Kweli

Panelists
Matt Post

Matt Post

Matt Post is a student at Yale Law School and gun safety activist. Matt helped lead gun violence prevention organization March For Our Lives: organizing in his community, speaking before the 700,000 protestors assembled at the original 2018 demonstration, building the organization's national grassroots chapter network, and then founding the group's legal advocacy arm, which brings the voices of survivors into the courts. He also served as a school board member in his hometown of Montgomery County, Maryland, where he fought to close racial and socioeconomic disparities in opportunity.

Aloe Blacc

Aloe Blacc

Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc, who is known for major hits such as “I Need A Dollar,” “The Man,” and “Wake Me Up,” pledged early in his career to use his music for positive social transformation. Aloe refers to his style of music as thematic, calling it "A.I.M." which stands for affirmation, inspiration, and motivation.

A recipient of RIAA diamond certification, his song “Wake Me Up” with Avicii, has reached over 2 billion streams on Spotify and YouTube respectively. Aloe is currently working on his next musical projects with a focus on amplifying the mission of non-profit organizations. 

In addition to music, Aloe is the founder of Major Inc., a biotech company focused on preventing future pandemics and infection from disease. With the help of accomplished PhD scientists, the company has conducted promising research to identify medicinal candidates that block viruses from cellular binding, entry, and replication.

Sean Pica

Sean Pica

Sean Pica is the Executive Director of Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, a non-profit organization that provides college education, life skills and reentry support to currently and formerly incarcerated people to help them make a positive impact on their own lives, their families and communities.

Hudson Link has more than 650 students enrolled annually in college degree granting programs across six prisons and has awarded more than 1,000 college degrees in partnership with nine colleges and universities. Recognizing the importance of re-entry support, Sean has launched several important initiatives including a College Completion Program which provides opportunities for students to fulfill their degree requirements upon release, and New Beginnings, a transitional housing initiative utilizing the efforts of our released alumni to renovate abandoned properties and create safe transitional housing for returning program alumni.

Sean is the Board Chair for the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison, serves on the New York State Council on Community Re-Entry and Reintegration, and is a member of the Service Providers Advisory Committee which collaborates on policy issues in the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. ‍

Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams is an activist, actor, entrepreneur and former high school teacher. His Broadway debut earned him a Tony Award nomination in the lead role in Take Me Out. Jesse came to fame playing “Dr. Jackson Avery” on Grey’s Anatomy and has appeared in TV and films including The Cabin in the Woods, Little Fires Everywhere, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, and Selah and the Spades


Williams produced the 2020 Oscar winning short film Two Distant Strangers and served as senior producer and correspondent alongside Norman Lear for EPIX docuseries America Divided. He also executive produced the 2016 documentary Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement.


Contacts
US Sales Contact
Karol Martesko-Fenster
Theorem Media Inc.
Westport, CT 06880
Phone: 212 362 4661
kmf@theoremmedia.org
International Sales Contact
Karol Martesko-Fenster
Theorem Media Inc.
Westport, CT 06880
Phone: 212 362 4661
kmf@theoremmedia.org
Press Contact
Alex Pelchar
Falco Ink.
New York, 10019
Phone: 212 445 7100
alexpelchar@falcoink.com
Print Source
David Johnson
Belafonte-Nasso-Zeng Productions, LLC
Staten Island, 10312
Phone: 917 648 0340
dhj219@outlook.com
Press Contact
Adrianna Valentin
Falco Ink.
New York, NY Phone: 2124457100
Adriannavalentin@falcoink.com
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.

 

Part of the Expressions of Black Freedom programming, sponsored by:

 

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