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EXCLUSIVE: A Radical Act: Renee Montgomery, a feature documentary about the life and career of WNBA legend Renee Montgomery from exec producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter will open this year’s Micheaux Film Festival.
Launched by Courtney L. Branch and Noel Braham to honor the legendary Oscar Micheaux, the Micheaux Film Festival celebrates its sixth anniversary this year. The event will run from October 21 to October 27 at the Culver Theater.
A Radical Act: Renee Montgomery is directed by Emmy Award winner Sandrine Orabona, who also serves as an exec producer alongside James and Carter. Described as an “intimate portrait,” the film chronicles the life and achievements of Montgomery, the first former WNBA player to serve as both a co-owner and executive of a WNBA team. A two-time WNBA Champion, sports broadcaster, and activist, Montgomery currently holds the position of co-owner and vice president of the Atlanta Dream. The film explores Orabona’s journey, from her upbringing in West Virginia to winning a national title at the University of Connecticut and clinching two WNBA championships with the Minnesota Lynx.
On opening night, before A Radical Act: Renee Montgomery, the festival will screen the short film The Distinguished directed by Rickey Castleberry. Produced by Zach Fuqua, Castleberry, and Khaild Jordan, the 16-minute short features an ensemble cast, including Jabaar Lewis, Harold Perrineau, Tracie Thoms, Luke Youngblood, Tosin Morohunfola, Jonathan Burke, and Shawn Carter Peterson. The film follows a young boy whose reality transforms as he deciphers cryptic messages from a supernatural force in his dreams, uncovering his family’s legacy.
The festival’s closing night pic will be the feature Swoon, directed and written by Byron Manuel. Produced by Byron Manuel, Ryan Rojas, Kassandra Diaz, Franco Tavera, Cash Oliver, and JP Ouellette, the film follows a woman who wakes tied to a bed as her captor tries to manipulate her into believing they are a couple.
“We are thrilled to unveil these powerful and meaningful films that will bookend our 6th annual Micheaux Film Festival,” Courtney Branch, festival co-founder told us in a statement this morning. “A Radical Act: Renee Montgomery, The Distinguished, and Swoon will showcase the diverse and compelling storytelling that is at the heart and soul of our festival, and we look forward to sharing these works with the rest of Los Angeles.”
The Micheaux Film Festival is repped by Korey J. Turner of Granderson Des Rochers.
