10/16/2026
"The Rebirthing of A Nation"
In April 2026, while researching the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States and the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, I came across an article encouraging Americans to reflect on our nation's past, celebrate our achievements, and look toward a brighter future. It invited readers to honor our history, cherish our liberty, and recognize the continuing evolution of our founding ideals—justice, equality, and liberty for all—while embracing our shared heritage and diverse perspectives.
As I read those words, I couldn't help but reflect on the contrast between these enduring ideals and many of the challenges our nation continues to face. That contrast prompted me to dig deeper into America's history and the stories that have shaped our understanding of it.
One link led to another until I unexpectedly found myself watching an excerpt from The Birth of a Nation (1915). I had long been aware of the film's notorious legacy as one of the most influential works of racist propaganda in American cinema. What surprised me was encountering it while researching the nation's founding and the ideals of liberty and justice for all. As I watched the clip, one thought kept returning to me: America needs a spiritual rebirth.
To me, a spiritual rebirth is a profound transformation of the human spirit—a willingness to confront the past honestly, release old prejudices and divisions, and embrace a renewed commitment to justice, compassion, truth, and our highest shared ideals.
That thought led me even deeper into my research, where I soon discovered Within Our Gates (1920), directed by Oscar Micheaux. I learned that it is the oldest known surviving feature film directed by an African American and is recognized as a landmark of Black American cinema. Produced in direct response to The Birth of a Nation, Micheaux's film challenged the false narratives of its predecessor by exposing the realities of Jim Crow segregation, racial violence, and systemic injustice.
As I continued exploring, I discovered the remarkable life of Oscar Micheaux (1884–1951)—author, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and one of the most courageous independent artists in American history. Between 1919 and 1948, Micheaux wrote, produced, and directed more than forty feature films, financing and distributing them independently during an era when Hollywood offered few opportunities for Black filmmakers. His work confronted racism, class inequality, colorism, religion, and in*******al relationships with extraordinary honesty and artistic vision.
Until that day, I knew nothing about Oscar Micheaux or his extraordinary body of work. I became captivated, spending hours watching his films and learning about his life and legacy. Along the way, I discovered film festivals across the country dedicated to preserving and celebrating Micheaux's contributions to American cinema.
Then something unexpected happened. About a week later, Ms. Sherry Suttles, founder of the Gullah Geechee Group, Inc., approached me with the idea of organizing a film festival in Selma that would celebrate Gullah Geechee culture while showcasing African American films. I shared with her my recent discovery of Oscar Micheaux and how profoundly his work had inspired me. Soon afterward, we met with historian and community activist Cindy Owens, who enthusiastically joined the conversation.
Together, the three of us envisioned something greater than a traditional film festival. We imagined an event that would honor the power of film to educate, inspire, and bring communities together while encouraging honest dialogue about our shared history and our collective future.
From that vision was born the Oscar Micheaux "The Rebirthing of a Nation" Film Festival, to be held in Selma, Alabama, from Friday, November 13, through Sunday, November 15, 2026.
The festival will celebrate the pioneering legacy of Oscar Micheaux while presenting selections from his films alongside works highlighting Gullah Geechee culture, Africatown, the story of the Clotilda, and other films that illuminate the richness, resilience, and enduring contributions of African American history and culture.
Through film, conversation, education, and community engagement, the festival seeks to inspire thoughtful reflection on America's past while encouraging healing, understanding, and a renewed commitment to building a more just, inclusive, and compassionate future. As our nation commemorates its 250th anniversary, we hope this festival will serve not only as a celebration of cinematic achievement but also as an invitation to the kind of spiritual rebirth that strengthens democracy by bringing people together through truth, empathy, and hope.
I AM Blessed!!!
Oscar Micheaux
"The Rebirthing of A Nation
Film Festival
Afriye We-kandodis
Project Director
