The Webby Award-nominated PBS Online Film Festival returns for the seventh year, July 16-27, 2018, featuring 25 short-form independent films from multiple public media partners and PBS member stations.
Heroes of Color, the highly acclaimed series of short animated videos highlighting the contributions of people of color in world history is among those featured in this year’s festival. The series is a production of Heroes of Color, Inc., an education company that promotes diversity and inclusiveness by providing cultural and professional development through the arts.
The three, 3-minute episodes of Heroes of Color are available for online screening to include:
• Harlem Hellfighters, about the 369th Infantry of the U.S. Army, a regiment of African Americans — most of whom hailed from Harlem — that nobly fought in World War I and paved the way for desegregation of the
military.
• Gaspar Yanga, the Veracruzano freedom fighter who escaped slavery and led America’s first successful slave rebellion in 16th century Mexico.
• Dr. Antonia Pantoja, a Puerto Rican educator, social worker, feminist, civil rights leader and founder of ASPIRA, a nonprofit that promotes self-esteem, commitment to community and education among Puerto Rican and
other Latino youth in New York City.
Heroes of Color, Inc. is currently working on two-dozen more episodes, which will be added to the series later this year. Financial contributions to the series are welcome.
The PBS Online Film Festival is part of a multi-platform initiative to increase the reach and visibility of independent films and to provide a showcase for diverse storytelling that inspires and engages.
The festival will be available now until July 27, 2018, on PBS digital platforms including PBS.org. As in previous years, films will also be available to stream on YouTube and Facebook.