First Tuesday SMTX to present ‘Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom’ June 4

To commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, First Tuesday SMTX will screen “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” on June 4 at 7 p.m.

The film, directed by Ya*Ke Smith, chronicles the travels of a Black man troubled by the legacy of American slavery and the misuse of Christianity to justify it. As an exploration from descendants of those emancipated in Texas in 1865, he discovers the importance of the Juneteenth holiday and how it reveals the hope and courage that empowered the formerly enslaved in their fight against an often unjust society.

After the screening, there will be a postfilm Q&A with Smith and Dr. Dwonna Goldstone, director of the African American studies program at Texas State University.

Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Pizza from Pie Society and beer from Middleton Brewery will be served starting at 6:30 p.m. The screening will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at firsttuesdaysmtx. com.

“Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” received the Cleveland IFF Audience Award, the Hill Country Film Festival award for Best Documentary and was an official selection in the Dallas IFF. Runtime is 59 minutes.

The First Tuesday SMTX Film Series aims to bring top independent films to the big screen in San Marcos on the first Tuesday of every month. These screenings are free and open to the public.