Arkansas PBS and Philander Smith College have partnered for Philander Forward Film Series, a new screening series designed to unite students and communities through films illuminating the Black experience and telling stories that matter. Each event will feature a historical or contemporary film and leave room for dialogue, reflection and the opportunity to explore issues relevant to the world today.

The Philander Forward Film Series is free, open to the public and welcomes students, faculty and all communities to connect to the campus community through film.

Upcoming screenings include:

• Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. – “The U.S. and the Holocaust” (International Holocaust Remembrance), Philander Smith College, BA 101, 900 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Dr., Little Rock. This screening will feature clips from “The U.S. and the Holocaust,” a three-part documentary directed and produced by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein. The film examines the rise of Hitler and Nazism in Germany in the context of global antisemitism and racism, the eugenics movement in the United States, and race laws in the American South. The series sheds light on what the U.S. government and American people knew and did as the catastrophe unfolded in Europe, becoming one of the greatest humanitarian crises in history.
• Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. – “Making Black America,” Hour 1 (Black History Month)
• Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. – "Making Black America,” Hour 2 (Black History Month)
• Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. – "Making Black America,” Hour 3 (Black History Month)
• March 1 at 6:30 p.m. – "Making Black America,” Hour 4 (Black History Month)
• March 15, 6:30 p.m. – “Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom” (Women's History Month)
• TBD – "Dream Land: Little Rock’s West 9th Street.”

Updates and additional information will be available at myarkansaspbs.org/events.

“The U.S. and the Holocaust” is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Corporate funding provided by Bank of America. Major funding provided by David M. Rubenstein; the Park Foundation; the Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; and by the following members of The Better Angels Society: Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine; Jan and Rick Cohen; Allan and Shelley Holt; the Koret Foundation; David and Susan Kreisman; Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder; Blavatnik Family Foundation; Crown Family Philanthropies, honoring the Crown and Goodman Families; the Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Dr. Georgette Bennett and Dr. Leonard Polonsky; The Russell Berrie Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John and Catherine Debs; and Leah Joy Zell and the Joy Foundation. Funding was also provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and by public television viewers.

About Philander Smith College

Founded in 1877, Philander Smith College is a small privately funded, four-year, liberal arts, career-oriented institution supported by the General Board of Higher Education and the Ministry of the United Methodist Church. The college has a rich legacy of providing an educational experience that embraces academic excellence, builds self-esteem, cultivates critical thinking skills, and prepares students to be future leaders and advocates for social justice. More information is available at philander.edu.

About Arkansas PBS

Arkansas PBS, Arkansas’s only statewide public media network, empowers learners of all ages by educating, informing, entertaining and inspiring communities. Arkansas PBS serves as a daily and essential resource for Arkansans by creating, sharing, celebrating and driving conversation around Arkansas stories and classic, trusted PBS programs through multiple digital platforms, including livestreaming at myarpbs.org/watch, on-demand services and YouTube TV, and the distinct channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS on SAP. Members with Arkansas PBS Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. Arkansas PBS depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at myarkansaspbs.org. Arkansas PBS is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), KETZ (El Dorado), KETS (Lee Mountain), KETS (Forrest City) and KETS (Gaither).

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