Filmmaker Chinonye Chukwu (pictured above at NDNF in 2019) was at the New York Film Festival seven years ago as a participant in our annual Artist Academy at NYFF, Film at Lincoln Center’s artist support program. Four years later, her film CLEMENCY opened New Directors/New Films, FLC’s annual festival of discovery with MoMA (after the film won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance earlier that year). Today, we’re honored to announce that Chinonye Chukwu’s new film, TILL, will have its world premiere at the 60th New York Film Festival this fall! As I shared in a press release announcing the news, timed to what would have been Emmett Till’s 81st birthday today, Chinonye Chukwu has crafted a bracing portrait of the short life of Emmett Till and the fearless activism of his mother, Mamie Till, whose fight for justice following the murder of her son was a catalyst for the ongoing battle for civil rights in our country. I’m especially excited to announce that part of our plan for debuting the film this fall is a robust student screening program that NYFF will create in collaboration with MGM’s Orion Pictures and United Artists Releasing, working with community partners in New York and around the country. Congratulations to Chinonye, Whoopi Goldberg (who shouted out this news on The View this morning!), the whole TILL team and family, and everyone at MGM’s Orion & UA Releasing (in particular Seth Fradkoff & Adriene Bowles)! 67 days to go until NYFF60! More news soon! [photo by julie cunnah]