Washington D.C. October 19, 2018—Storm Saulter’s Award-winning acclaimed drama SPRINTER from Executive Producers Jada & Will Smith will have its Washington D.C. premiere on the opening day of the Smithsonian African American Film Festival, presented by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. SPRINTER is one of 15 films in competition, and will screen on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 4:15pm at the Freer|Sackler Meyer Auditorium. “These selected films are more than just great entertainment; they are also cultural markers that expand the timeline of African American experiences,” said Rhea L. Combs, supervisory museum curator of photography & film and director of CAAMA. “By screening world premieres next to films that haven’t been shown in decades or have been restored and preserved by the museum, we are honoring our past, our present and our future.”
Saulter’s SPRINTER has been on a festival hot-streak. SPRINTER swept this year’s American Black Film Festival winning three top Awards (Best Narrative, Best Director, Audience Award) while also recently premiering in the Caribbean at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival to a sold out crowd and rave reviews. Following the Smithsonian D.C. screening, the film heads back to the Caribbean where it will open the Bahamas International Film Festival on November 28th.
Written and Directed by Storm Saulter (“Better Mus Come”), the film’s all-star cast includes newcomer Dale Elliott, Kadeem Wilson (“Ghett’ A Life”), Dennis Titus (“The Mighty Quinn”), Shantol Jackson (“Yardie”), Bryshere Y. Gray (“Empire,” “The New Edition Story”), with LorraineToussaint (“Selma,” “Orange Is The New Black,”), and David Alan Grier (“The Wiz Live,” “The Carmichael Show,” “In Living Color”).
Producers are Robert Maylor, Clarence Hammond, and Jamal Watson. Jada & Will Smith Executive Produce alongside NBA Veteran and Media Personality Richard Jefferson, Josef Bogdanovich, Zachary Harding, Aaron Carr, Vinoda Basnayake, Donald Ranvaud, Kevin “Flipp” Montgomery, Dr. Lim, Shaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith (who created two original songs for the film), and Reynell “Tango” Hay.
“I’m honored that Sprinter was selected to be part of the inaugural festival. Caribbean history and identity is so intertwined with that of the Americas. I look forward to Sprinter sparking some important dialogue within this vital and historic space at a particularly culture-shifting moment in time” said Saulter.
Producer Rob Maylor added “The opening scene and heart of Sprinter is the sacrifice a mother makes to provide a better life for her family as she leaves her young son behind in Jamaica to work and provide for him from the US. The chance at a better life for those we love is the tipping point of not just our story but the American Dream and countless immigrant tales. As such our film’s selection to screen in the nation’s capital, at the world’s largest museum complex, as part of the Smithsonian’s inaugural film festival celebrating the history and culture of African Americans is a dream realized – one we are beyond excited, humbled and honored to be a part of.”
The prestigious Smithsonian African American Film Festival is screening 80 projects, tickets can be purchased by visiting: https://aafilmfest.si.edu/discover/events/sprinter-competition
