Almost Fairytales

11/16/2025

📢 ♥️🖤Almost Fairytales is so honored that our short film “Launching the Lagoon” is part of this latest announcement from the Gary International Black Film Festival!

from The Gary Black International Film Festival

BLACK FILM ON BLACK FRIDAY 11/27/25-11/30/25

Black Friday didn’t start as a celebration, it began as a retail tactic.

The term was first used by Philadelphia police in the 1960s to describe the traffic jams, crowd surges, and chaos caused by shoppers rushing stores the day after Thanksgiving. Over time, it became a national ritual: a day defined by urgency, overconsumption, and pressure to buy more, not by gratitude or connection.

For many of us, that rush stands in sharp contrast to what Thanksgiving is meant to hold: family, rest, reflection, and the sharing of stories.

Black Film on Black Friday offers another path—one grounded in culture, creativity, and the beauty of slowing down. Instead of chasing deals, we’re choosing to celebrate the narratives that nourish us.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Serving Cinema

The Ones That Had Us Talking

The award-winning films of the 15th Annual Gary International Black Film Festival return to your screen for one weekend only. These stories rose above the rest. Films that were bold, beautifully crafted, and rooted in the full complexity of Black life.

Thanks to Indiana Humanities
for supporting like our director, .
Go here ➡️ for 🎫 https://www.garyblackfilmfest.org
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10/21/2025

Delighted to announce 📣 that Launching the Lagoon has been selected for the Synergy Film Festival. Our director, , has also been listed as a semifinalist for their director category. The Almost Fairytales crew can’t wait for our little film to make its Los Angeles debut! Thank you to Indiana Humanities for supporting filmmakers.

10/17/2025

Almost Fairytales director, , was thrilled to sit down with CapitalB to discuss all things filmmaking and the 15th Annual Gary International Black Film Festival. Read the full article here ➡️ https://gary.capitalbnews.org/gary-international-black-film-festival/

The festival continues to spotlight powerful stories from the African diaspora while nurturing a new generation of Midwest creators.

10/17/2025

Honored to announce that “Launching the Lagoon” won in the category of Midwest Award: Best Documentary Short at the Gary International Black Film Festival. In addition, Launching the Lagoon will be featured in the 15th Anniversary Award Watch Virtual Weekend of the Gary International Black Film Festival, November 27 - 30, 2025. For 🎫 info go ➡️ https://www.garyblackfilmfest.org Thank you to Indiana Humanities for sponsoring filmmakers like our director, .

10/13/2025

That’s a wrap! Stellar time at the 15th Annual Gary International Black Film Festival. Honored our little film was selected and grateful to Indiana Humanities for sponsoring Hoosier filmmakers like our director, .

10/12/2025

Kym Mazelle accepts the Icon Award at the 15th Annual Gary International Black Film Festival

10/11/2025

Great second viewing of Launching the Lagoon today at the Gary International Black Film Festival. You still have a chance to see it, vote it in for an award and support the arts by buying a virtual ticket here: https://watch.eventive.org/garyblackfilmfest2025

Thanks to Indiana Humanities for sponsoring our director, , via the

10/11/2025

Great opening night at the Gary International Black Film Festival. You have a chance to see Launching the Lagoon this morning (10/11) at 11am. Thanks for sponsoring our Director Indiana Humanities with your .

10/09/2025

You have 2 chances to see our film this week! Thursday 10/9 @ 3pm at the Aquatorium in Gary and Saturday 10/11 @ Indiana University Northwest. “Launching the Lagoon” is selected to be part of the 15th Annual Gary International Black Film Festival Check out https://www.garyblackfilmfest.org for all your ticket info! There are in person and virtual tickets available! Thanks to Indiana Humanities for sponsoring Hoosier filmmakers like of Almost Fairytales.

10/07/2025

Excited to get the chance to chat with Jeffery Smith at WGVE 88.7FM about “Launching the Lagoon” being part of the 15th Annual Gary International Black Film Festival. Get your tickets here https://www.garyblackfilmfest.org

09/10/2025

Excited to announce that “Launching the Lagoon” has been selected for the 15th annual Gary International Black Film Festival https://www.garyblackfilmfest.org
🎞️🎉 ♥️🖤Ecstatic to have our little film play in our hometown. Thanks to Indiana Humanities for supporting Hoosier filmmakers.

09/08/2025