We sat down with committee member, filmmaker, and professor, Cole Seidl, to talk about the Witness Palestine Film Festival, November 15-23, 2025. (This was recorded on November 17, 2025.) You can learn more and purchase tickets now at www.wpff.us.

We discuss the importance of showing the diversity of Palestinian films--documentary, narrative, and experimental--as well as reflecting on watching "The Voice of Hind Rajab" with an audience, upcoming films this week (Shorts at Visual Studies Workshop ("A Night We Held Between", "Morgenkreis", "The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing"), "All That’s Left of You", "Thank You For Banking With Us", "With Hazan in Gaza", "Palestine 36"), possible award nominations, and Palestinian cuisine with Mama’s Palestinian Dinner on Saturday, Nov 22 cooked by Ahlam Abid.

Cole Seidl is a filmmaker, educator, and literary translator. Once illegally entered the properties of David Lynch and the Sultan of Brunei. Current professor at Monroe Community College. Former Professor at Al Quds University in Abu Dis, Palestine.

The Witness Palestine Film Festival is the primary project of Rochester Witness for Palestine (RW4P), a registered 501 (c)(3), that seeks justice and liberation for the people of Palestine wherever they may be. RW4P's motto "Come and see, go and tell" applies also to the work of WPFF, which aims to provide a space for reflection and discussion, as well as tools for action and change.

The Witness Palestine Film Festival Committee includes activists involved in interfaith and Palestinian solidarity work. As a member organization of the Rochester Committee to End Apartheid, RW4P is dedicated to growing the movement for Palestinian freedom in Rochester, NY, and across the globe.

Chapters:

• 00:01 - Introduction to Representation in Cinema
• 01:38 - Witness Palestine Film Festival's Mission
• 17:30 - Palestinian Cinema and Artistic Expression
• 22:18 - The Diversity of Palestinian Stories
• 26:45 - The Upcoming Events and Mama's Palestinian Dinner

On this Representation in Cinema podcast episode, we delve into the intricate relationship between horror films and social justice, featuring a discussion with Professor Kathy Simon, who has developed an online course entitled "Screams and Social Justice: Analyzing the Politics of Horror," that you can now enroll in. Central to our discourse is the assertion that horror serves not merely as entertainment but also as a profound reflection of societal anxieties and cultural narratives, particularly those relevant to Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. Throughout the episode, we explore various thematic elements present in horror cinema, including class, gender, and the role of technology, while emphasizing the necessity for more nuanced and complex portrayals of characters within the genre. Furthermore, we highlight the significance of community engagement and ongoing dialogue regarding these critical issues as participants share their insights and reflections on the films discussed. Ultimately, this episode aims to illuminate the power of horror as a vehicle for social commentary, encouraging listeners to engage deeply with the narratives that shape our understanding of contemporary societal challenges.

Takeaways:

• The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of representation in cinema, particularly focusing on black, brown, and indigenous peoples' narratives.
• The discussion highlights the new online course titled 'Screams and Social Justice', which analyzes the intersection of horror films and social issues.
• Listeners are encouraged to participate in upcoming screenings that engage with themes of black culture, community building, and black women's protection.
• The hosts explore how horror films can serve as a commentary on societal fears and anxieties, reflecting broader cultural messages.
• The episode discusses the significance of complex character portrayals in horror films, advocating for deeper representations of black characters.
• Kathy Simon's course aims to equip students with tools to critically analyze horror films and create their own scripts reflecting contemporary social issues.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Course information and link: https://kathy-simon-s-school.teachable.com/p/screams-social-justice-analyzing-the-politics-of-horror
• Our Voices Project website: ourvoicesproject.com
• Want to be on the podcast? Send us an email at inforvoicesproject.com
• Join us at one of our screenings of Being Black in America and register for FREE here: bit.ly/bbia

For any questions about the course, you can contact Kathy at [email protected].

Mentioned in this episode:

Behind the Glass

Podcast and gallery focusing on underrepresented artists utilize the space to amplify their work. Curated by @Richardbcolon @qua.jay. Check out the podcast or join them in person first Fridays at 240 E Main St, Rochester, NY!

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

We're talking about the ¡Presente! Latin Film Fest at the George Eastman Museum, commencing on September 17th. As we delve into this crucial initiative, we engage with Jason Barber, whose extensive background in the arts and commitment to representation in cinema make him an invaluable contributor to this conversation. The series aims to illuminate the significant impact of Latino and Latinx artists within the cinematic landscape, offering a platform to explore their narratives and contributions. Throughout our dialogue, we will also reflect on the broader implications of representation in film, particularly in light of current socio-political climates affecting marginalized communities. Through this series, we aspire to foster a deeper understanding of the richness and diversity inherent in Latin cinema, while simultaneously advocating for authentic representation and storytelling.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Latin Film Fest: eastman.org/latinfilmseries
• IBERO Rochester: https://www.ibero.org/
• Poder 97.1 FM: https://www.ibero.org/poder/
• International Plaza: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-recreation-and-human-services-drhs/international-plaza

Mentioned in this episode:

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover!

Lunchador Podcast Network

Lunchador Podcast Network is a network of podcasts originating in Rochester, NY. Our goal is bringing creative people together to be a positive force in the arts community. The shows that make up Lunchador are owned by the creators and cover a wide range of topics and backgrounds.

On this podcast episode, we're talkin about the film "One of Them Days" and discussing intricacies of Black women's representation in cinema and the profound themes of sisterhood and community care that permeate the narrative.

Our esteemed co-host, Dr. Katrina Overby, joins me, Jackie McGriff, to delve into the film's portrayal of two best friends, Dreux and Alyssa, as they navigate the precarious situation of evading eviction while embodying resilience and camaraderie. Throughout our dialogue, we engage with three remarkable guests, Erica Jae, Cocoa Rae David, and Dominique Simmonds, who illuminate the significance of their work and its intersection with the film's themes. As we analyze the film's narrative structure and character dynamics, we aim to highlight the vital conversations surrounding representation in popular media. Listeners can anticipate an insightful exploration of how "One of Them Days" encapsulates the essence of Black culture, friendship, and the enduring strength found within community ties.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Caribago Creative (Photography + Videography): https://www.caribagocreative.com/
• Island Wraps Restaurant: https://www.islandwraps2go.com/
• Black Women Is Art, Curated by Erica Jae, coming in 2026: https://www.instagram.com/thebwiaproject/
• Katrina is a DJ! DJ KO spinning on Thursday nights at 7-10pm at Sidebar: https://www.instagram.com/sidebarroc
• By Cocoa Rae - Photographer + Event Space: https://www.cocoa-rae.com
• Blk Haus Boutique: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571782587822&sk=about
• Our Voices Project Website: ourvoicesproject.com
• Would you like to be a guest on our podcast? Email us at inforvoicesproject.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

Behind the Glass

Behind the Glass, hosted by Richard B Colón and Quajay Donnell, is a monthly talk with the current month’s BTG Roster. Artists are interviewed about their submissions and we dive deep into their process, inspiration and thought process centralized around their artwork in the Behind the Glass Gallery located in the heart of Downtown Rochester NY.

It’s Jackie McGriff, your host on today’s Representation in Cinema episode for another deep dive into the film, Sinners!

That’s right this is PART TWO of our talk on Sinners, so if you didn’t listen to the first episode, we highly recommend listening to that one on our website at ourvoicesproject.com/podcast or any where you listen to your favorite podcasts - Spotify, Apple, all of them! We’re calling it our Black as YOU KNOW WHAT or Black AF episode because it had to be US breaking this movie down - thanks again to Ryan Coogler, the team at Proximity Media, and cast and crew for this one. This film is truly a gift!

SO, if you haven’t watched the film already, you can watch it in theaters now—please go see it in IMAX NOW! We encourage you to watch it and then come back to listen to our podcast. From here on out though, we’ll be discussing the film in depth so SPOILERS AHEAD and as always, you have been warned.

HUGE THANK YOU to our guests joining us in the studio and virtually, Cocoa Rae David, CaTyra Polland, Brianna Milon, Hernease Davis, Heather Thompson, Iasia Lorick, and DJ T.A.G.O.E.

CaTyra Polland is a published author, editor, copywriter, poet, speaker, Founder/CEO of Love For Words and the creator of National Black Authors Day. She's an essayist for Christopher Coles who's being honored along with CaTyra on May 19 at 6:30pm at the George Eastman Museum. It's free to attend and every guest gets a copy of the book. You can register for the book launch and panel discussion at https://www.eastman.org/event/free-all-talks-special-events/moment-revolution-reckoning-reparation-volume-3.

She's also co-hosting a virtual Masterclass with Write, Edit, Publish for those who are looking to publish a book on June 7 at 1pm ET/10am PT. You can register here: https://winnpublications.com/write-edit-publish-a-self-publishing-masterclass. Purchase your ticket before the price goes up on June 3!

You can follow CaTyra at @catyrapolland on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn as well as her business page Love For Words on Facebook and LinkedIn.

DJ. T.A.G.O.E. is a Raleigh-based DJ, who seeks to bring community together through music and dance, blended with collective education rooted in history and liberation-based politics. Follow him on Instagram and Tiktok at @djtagoe.

Brianna Milon is a published author, communications professional, and model who blends creativity and connection in everything she does. With a background in media, public relations, and storytelling, she’s passionate about using her voice and presence to inspire and uplift others. You can follow Bri on Instagram at @suunnybri.

Cocoa Rae David is a New York-based visual artist, curator, photographer, award-winning filmmaker, and business owner of By Cocoa Rae LLC and Da Purp. You can also find her on all social media platforms at @bycocoarae. She’s currently raising money to make her studio and art space for accessible for creatives and artists. You can donate monetarily or in-kind with studio needs like camera and lighting equipment and/or yoga mats by visiting https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLTR86SCCSSKM/checkout/U2TDPNZWTRWMOQ4XBQM4IMSK OR contacting Cocoa at [email protected].

Hernease Davis is a photo-based artist and curator born and raised in South Los Angeles with roots in Southern Louisiana. Her practice is spurred by her curiosity about process, one’s psychological nature and the meaningful connections made possible through art when individual complexities are acknowledged and welcomed. You can find her on Instagram at @hernease and follow her at https://www.herneasedavis.com. Follow the work that she and other artists do at Visual Studies Workshop at @visualstudiesworkshop on all social media platforms and https://www.vsw.org.

Heather Thompson is a psychology student and mother. She’s in the process of making a mockumentary– we will keep you updated on the progress of that project!

Iasia Lorick is a filmmaker.

If you’d like to be a guest on our podcast, you can email us at [email protected]. Please note that while we welcome all, we prioritize hearing from Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks especially since this podcast is about highlighting the films telling authentic and multifaceted stories of Black, Brown, and Native peoples.

Mentioned in this episode:

Behind the Glass

Podcast and gallery focusing on underrepresented artists utilize the space to amplify their work. Curated by @Richardbcolon @qua.jay. Check out the podcast or join them in person first Fridays at 240 E Main St, Rochester, NY!

Behind the Studio Door

Behind the Studio Door, hosted by Molly Darling and Christian Rivera, takes listeners on a captivating exploration of artists and their creative processes. Through deep and meaningful conversations, they uncover the stories and experiences that shape the outward expression of their work.

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

A film so good we had to make TWO PARTS! This is the first episode doing a deep dive into Sinners with co-hosts, Jackie McGriff and Courtney Shouse.

Sinners is a horror/adventure film written and directed by Ryan Coogler starring Michael B Jordan playing twin brothers – Smoke and Stack – returning to their home in the Mississippi Delta in 1932 to start a Juke joint. In reuniting with family, friends, and neighbors, they gather a crew of entertainers, one of them being their younger cousin, Sammie–played by newcomer Miles Caton–who has an incredible talent that not only brings people together, but also attracts an evil force that dares to rip all of that apart. The film also stars Wunmi Mosaku, Omar Miller, Delroy Lindo, and Hailee Steinfeld.

SO, if you haven’t watched the film already, you can watch it in theaters now—please go see it in IMAX when it comes back on May 15! We encourage you to watch it and then come back to listen to our podcast. From here on out though, we’ll be discussing the film in depth so SPOILERS AHEAD and as always, you have been warned.

HUGE THANK YOU to our guests, CaTyra Polland, Muna Najib, and DJ T.A.G.O.E.

CaTyra Polland is a published author, editor, copywriter, poet, speaker, Founder/CEO of Love For Words and the creator of National Black Authors Day. She's an essayist for Christopher Coles who's being honored along with CaTyra on May 19 at 6:30pm at the George Eastman Museum. It's free to attend and every guest gets a copy of the book. You can register for the book launch and panel discussion at https://www.eastman.org/event/free-all-talks-special-events/moment-revolution-reckoning-reparation-volume-3.

She's also co-hosting a virtual Masterclass with Write, Edit, Publish for those who are looking to publish a book on June 7 at 1pm ET/10am PT. You can register here: https://winnpublications.com/write-edit-publish-a-self-publishing-masterclass/. Purchase your ticket before the price goes up on June 3! You can follow CaTyra at @catyrapolland on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn as well as her business page Love For Words on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Muna Najib is a Palestinian activist, writer, speaker, and educator. She wants everyone to go see The Encampments film and any film related to authentic narratives about Palestinians and the Palestinian movement film if it's playing at a theater near you! If you're local to Rochester, follow The Little Theatre and The Witness Palestine Film Festival - these two organizations have been making sure that Palestinians are heard and seen onscreen!

Be sure to follow @speakup_4palestine on Instagram!

DJ. T.A.G.O.E. is a Raleigh-based DJ, who seeks to bring community together through music and dance, blended with collective education rooted in history and liberation-based politics. Follow him on Instagram and Tiktok at @djtagoe.

Book Referenced: Africanisms in American Culture by Joseph E. Holloway

If you’d like to be a guest on our podcast, you can email us at [email protected]. Please note that while we welcome all, we prioritize hearing from Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks especially since this podcast is about highlighting the films telling authentic and multifaceted stories of Black, Brown, and Native peoples.

Mentioned in this episode:

Punches & Popcorn

The masters of Couch Potato style Mike Huntone, Jason Bills, and Dr. Dominic D’Amore take a deep dive into the best and worst of martial arts films.

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

Today, we're discussing the Oscar-Award winning documentary film, No Other Land, with First Generation Palestinian social justice activist, writer, speaker, and educator, Muna Najib.

No Other Land is a documentary that centers Palestinian activist Basel Adra, who records the destruction of his hometown, Masafer Yatta in the Occupied West Bank, by Israeli forces aiming to turn the area into a military training zone; the film highlights the harsh reality of displacement faced by Palestinians, with Adra documenting the demolitions of homes, schools, and the filling of water wells with cement, all while forming an unlikely bond with Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham who helps him document his struggle against the occupation.

The film is co-directed by Palestinians and Israelis, Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Hamdan Ballal, and Rachel Szor. No Other Land was awarded Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars back in February this year and still doesn’t have a US distributor. In more recent news, on top of the genocide that continues to unfold in Palestine perpetuated by the Israeli government—and by extension the United States as well as other Western powers—Hamdan Ballal was attacked by Israeli citizens and is now currently recovering. “Israel” has continued to bombard Gaza and arm its citizens terrorizing Palestinians living in the West Bank—including Masafer Yatta—on top of committing many additional war crimes against the Palestinians.

Please note that the events in the film happen before October 2023. It’s all part of a larger campaign to occupy and ethnically cleanse Indigenous Palestinians from their lands.

SO, if you haven’t watched the film already, it's now available to stream at https://supportmasaferyatta.com until May 9 as part of a fundraiser. We encourage you to donate, watch it and then come back to listen to our podcast. From here on out though, we’ll be discussing the film in depth so SPOILERS AHEAD and as always, you have been warned.

Muna Najib is a first-generation Palestinian social justice activist, writer, speaker and educator. She has been advocating and teaching about Palestine and other marginalized communities for well over a decade. She is a graduate of University at Buffalo with a degree in English, Third world literature and African American studies. She believes in fighting for full land back for all indigenous peoples which includes Palestine’s full liberation and sovereignty from the river to the sea.

Clip Referenced: https://youtu.be/3gzo7PiFiaM?si=JdoEpz-1O8UjPFDc&t=36

Links referenced in this episode:

• Our Voices Project: https://ourvoicesproject.com/
• Dogwoof Releasing: https://releasing.dogwoof.com/no-other-land
• Palestine Film Institute: palestinefilminstitute.org
• Witness Palestine Film Festival: https://wpff.us/
• Reel Bad Arabs (Documentary): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPxak6lFd-I
• Kanopy - Palestinian Films: https://www.kanopy.com/en/category/14590

Mentioned in this episode:

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

Mind of Magnus

Check out Mind of Magnus at magnusapollo.com, and leave him factoids at 585-310-2473!

Hello listeners – we are BACK in the studio after a bit of hiatus! It’s Jackie McGriff, your host on today’s podcast episode where we’re diving into the film, The Six Triple Eight!

In the studio today, we have Bryan and Tam Little. Bryan Little is a producer and founder of DREAMINCOLOR International Creator Sessions, a monthly virtual gathering that connects Black, Brown, and People of Color entertainment professionals to global opportunities through networking, showcasing, peer connection, and professional development.

Tam Little is an award-winning filmmaker, conference speaker, and passionate storyteller dedicated to uplifting the voices of women and people of color in film. She is the director and producer of MOVE, a powerful documentary centered on the tragic mass shooting at a Boys and Girls Club in Rochester, NY. The film explores not only the heartbreaking loss of innocent young men, but also the resilience of a community that chose to respond with action, healing, and hope.

Bryan and Tam are the founders and hosts of DREAM IN COLOR INTERNATIONAL, a global platform that amplifies the stories and celebrates the voices of Black storytellers and changemakers of color, creating a supportive community to learn, grow, and be inspired. Be sure to catch their next virtual meetup on Thursday, April 10 at 7pm EST with Avril Speaks, Netflix Showrunner of Files of the Unexplained. RSVP here.

You can listen to previous episodes on Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. You can also learn more about our films on our website at https://www.ourvoicesproject.com. If you’d like to be a guest on our podcast, you can email us at [email protected]. Please note that while we welcome all, we prioritize hearing from Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks especially since this podcast is about highlighting the films telling authentic and multifaceted stories of Black, Brown, and Native peoples.

Mentioned in this episode:

Refined Taste with Dario & Chris

Weekly Live show where comedians Dario Joseph and Chris Thompson talk and laugh with representatives of Rochester, New York’s food and drink scene.

Refined Taste - Cripsy Comedy at Crisp!

Check out Dario and Chris from Refined Taste and other guest comics at CRIPS 3/7!

Our Voices Project - Land Acknowledgement

Hello listeners! It’s Jackie McGriff, your host on today’s podcast episode where we’re diving into our film, Being Black in America with more of our storytellers. Yes, this is PART TWO! If you haven’t already listened to Part 1, please go do so. You can catch that episode and all of our other podcast episodes anywhere that you get your podcasts.

If this is your first time listening, two things – the first is HEYYYYY and the second is Being Black in America is our latest short documentary film where we show an array of different thoughts and attitudes behind Blackness and what it means to everyone on a personal level by asking one central question, What does being Black in America mean to you? It’s a question that’s asked in so many ways on screen indirectly and never seen as a conversation amongst ourselves but directly at the camera to a general audience. This film, however, turns that on its head and makes the audience a bystander, not a participant.

Today's episode features the second half of our storytellers featured in the film: Tiffany Porter, Kim Smith, Tiffany Porter, Dr. Katrina Overby, and Gabrielle Brannigan. We get into a whole lot about Black identity, intersectionality, and how Black folks, especially Black women and queer folks are portrayed in the media, and our history like you haven't heard it before and the importance of teaching that history RIGHT.

As it's referenced in the podcast, be sure to check out Dr. Katrina Overby's thesis, Doin’ It for the Culture: Defining Blackness, Culture, and Identity on Black Twitter: https://www.proquest.com/docview/2305527251?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true&sourcetype=Dissertations%20&%20Theses

You can also read her latest in the intersectional feminist journal, "Gatherings", The Familiar Feels Like Family: A Black Feminists' Approach to Placemaking and Gathering for Black Women in the Academy: https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/gatherings/vol1/iss1/5/.

Want to host a screening and talkback of Being Black in America? Visit https://www.ourvoicesproject.com/hostbbia and fill out our screening interest form. We’d LOVE to bring our film to you to create brave and safe spaces for unfiltered discussions about Blackness, host panels with Black community leaders, activists, students, and entrepreneurs committed to racial equity and pushing for real change with action items.

On today’s podcast episode, we get into one of our very own films, Being Black in America.

This is the first time we’re doing this on the podcast – the first of many episodes where we interview folks involved in our productions. Being Black in America is our latest short documentary film where we show an array of different thoughts and attitudes behind Blackness and what it means to everyone on a personal level by asking one central question, What does being Black in America mean to you? It’s a question that’s asked in so many ways on screen indirectly and never seen as a conversation amongst ourselves but directly at the camera to a general audience. This film, however, turns that on its head and makes the audience a bystander, not a participant.

Our guests today are Ann Marie St. Rose, Evelyn Holmes, and Taurus Savant! Listen to them talk about their experiences filming and dive deeper into thoughts shared in the film and expanding a little bit further into what they didn't get to talk about on screen.

You can read more information about this film and how to host a screening on our website at ourvoicesproject.com/black-in-america. We’d love to bring our film to you along with our storytellers to get to know them as well as dive deeper into topics discussed in the film and beyond.