The March on Washington Film Festival announced that Atlanta will be one of the stops on its 2014 three-city tour. The festival began in the summer of 2013 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington to encourage a new generation of civil rights activists. Over 1000 people attended during the Washington, D.C. event and generated interest that led the event’s organizers to expand to Atlanta and New York City in 2014.

“Atlanta is undoubtedly one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the nation. We hope you’ll be sure to join us and the March on Washington Film Festival to watch some of the historic episodes and monumental figures that brought our city this far,” said Mayor Kasim Reed.

The festival will be in Atlanta from June 23 to 26. To kick off the festival a special preview screening of “Freedom Summer,” cohosted by Georgia Public Broadcasting, will be held at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. The High Museum will host the following three screenings: “Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment,” “Sam Cooke: Legend,” and “Nothing But a Man.” Following the film screenings will be a panel discussion, talk, or musical performance.

The post-film discussions and performances will feature: Dr. Raphael Warnock, Senior Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church; Rev. Cameron Pennybacker; Sharon Malone, sister of Vivian Malone who integrated the University of Alabama; lawyer Don Siegal, HLN’s Keith Brown; Georgia State professor Jonathan Gayles; and the Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir.

“We started the March on Washington Film Festival to tell the under-told stories of the Civil Rights Era to audiences who are eager for another push for justice and equality,” said Robert Raben, founder of the March on Washington Film Festival. “The city of Atlanta, and its unparalleled importance to civil rights history, is a perfect fit. We are delighted to have the support of Mayor Kasim Reed, the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Audra Cunningham, the Butler Street CDC, and a host of others who have made the festival possible.”

For complete details on the festival and free tickets to the event, visit: http://www.MarchonWashingtonFilmFestival.org

Image from March On Washington Film Festival website