Penn's Afro-American Studies Program Names Film Maker Louis Massiah Artist-in-Residence

PHILADELPHIA-- Independent documentary film maker Louis Massiah will visit the University of Pennsylvania Feb. 6-7 as artist-in-residence in the Afro-American Studies Program.

"Louis Massiah has distinguished himself as a producer of films that document major issues and concerns facing urban communities," said Tukufu Zuberi, director of the Afro-American Studies Program.

Massiah's award-winning documentaries have been seen widely on public television and at international film festivals. He is the founder and executive director of Scribe Video Center in Philadelphia.

A two-day series of programs "Documenting the History of African-American Life: The Work of Louis Massiah" will include screenings of "The Bombing of Osage Avenue," "Books Through Bars" and "Fighting for Our Schools." The screenings will be held on Feb. 6 , 7:30 -9:00 p.m. in Room B-2 of Vance Hall, 3733 Spruce St., and Feb. 7, noon-1:30 p.m. and 2 - 3:30 p.m. in Hopkinson Hall, International House, 3701 Chestnut St.

Scholars from Emory University, Columbia University, and Universite Charles de Gaule in France will examine Massiah's work in a panel discussion on Feb. 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Hopkinson Hall, International House, 3701 Chestnut St. A screening of Massiah's "W.E.B. Du Bois- A Biography in Four Voices" will follow at 7:30 p.m.

The panel discussion and screenings will be free and open to the public. Additional information is available by calling 215-898-4965.