#ScopeScreenings - The Majestic Theater in Ballard recently hosted Scope Screenings, marking the event's debut in the Ballard neighborhood. It was a dope display of local talent, compelling storytelling, and engaging discussions, highlighting Seattle's thriving creative community.

Darryl Foto, one of the featured artists, premiered his powerful poem, "Black Joy". Foto's work deeply resonated with the audience, serving as a potent reminder that "Black Joy is alive and well" and "it's worth reclaiming," encouraging a collective journey to find and embrace personal joy. Filmmaker Justin Jeffers captivated the audience with a double feature, presenting "Parad Dice and Home Team" along with a collaborative film produced with Millie for Goodwill. Jeffers stressed the critical importance of his work, stating his mission is to showcase "true black and brown stories from the city of Seattle," and passionately asserted that "we all have a voice," advocating for authentic representation within the cinematic landscape.

Michael Huang, the visionary founder and managing director of Millie and a Seattle Film Commissioner, offered insights, articulating his belief that "Seattle is a city of film," capable of producing "compelling, cutting-edge content appealing to everyone". He emphasized the city's robust capabilities, stating that Seattle is "ready to take on high-level commercial work and high-level narrative work". Acclaimed artist and songwriter Parisalexa attended as a "gleeful spectator," expressing her enthusiasm for the event and noting that Scope Screenings serves as a "mecca" for creatives. She shared her excitement about witnessing the "magic" being created "right here in our backyard," underscoring the invaluable opportunities for networking and collaboration that the event fosters. Parisalexa elaborated on the gathering's significance, stating, "It's so important that we have a space and we get together, connect, communicate and inspire each other and work together".

Catch the next Scope Screenings on August 26th at Langston: www.ScopeScreenings.com