Albany’s J. Lane Theater Black History Month Film Festival starts Sunday

ALBANY – The J. Lane Theater in Albany is kicking off its first-ever Black History Month Film Festival beginning Sunday. 

The theater, located at 313 Pine Ave. in the old State Theater building, will host a film showing each Sunday in February that is free and open to the public. Je’Nita Lane, the theater’s owner, said she wanted to offer this experience in Albany to encourage the community to celebrate and learn more about black history, during Black History Month, which begins Saturday. 

Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, and the film starts at 4 p.m.

On top of providing a free, family friendly event, Lane said she wanted to include a student scholarship component to encourage young people to get out and learn. The contest is open to middle school, high school and undergraduate college students. The topic is “Why is it important to know black history?” Contestants must attend at least two of the film screenings and submit a 500-word essay by Feb. 20. They also must live in southwest Georgia or attend a college or university in the region. 

“We’re looking for Albany and surrounding towns to get involved,” Lane said.

The prizes for the essay include $250 for middle school, $500 for high school and $1,000 for college. 

The theater will show “The Birth of a Nation” on Sunday, “13th” on Feb. 9, “Judas and the Black Messiah” on Feb. 16 and “Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street” on Feb. 23.

Lane’s owned the theater for about 2 1/2 years. She said she tries to use the space to support the Albany community, to get people out and have a good time. She said she hopes the film festival is a celebration.

“Also, I’m hoping that people are enlightened when they learn new things that they didn’t know about black history,” she said. “I hope that it inspires them to get involved and spread the word about the history and accomplishments of black people.”

She made the event free to encourage more people to come. 

“I know a lot of people struggle … so, I didn’t want it to be a burden on families,” Lane said. “I just wanted to do something really to give back to the community.” 

She encouraged people to bring out the whole family not only to watch the films but to enjoy local vendors and hear discussions from writers, producers and actors from the films. 

Lane said in bringing these guests she hopes to show off Albany a bit and also to let locals network with movie industry professionals. 

She said she hopes to host this film festival annually, and she’s already spoken to local filmmakers about including their works in the festival next year. 

“I just think it’s a way to kind of connect people and also discuss the issues surrounding black history, and bring just the children out and the family out, just to have a great time and celebrate,” Lane said. 

Interested vendors and scholarship essay participants should email [email protected] or text the theater at (229) 436-1228.