Long-term options or changes have not been decided, she said. Updates are expected by the end of the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s too early in the process for us to share anything more at this time,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Movies That Matter was established in June 2011 by the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission<\/a> to explore human rights issues such as racism, gender inequality, literacy and veteran challenges through bimonthly film screenings. Each movie was followed by moderated discussions with local experts to offer space for dialogue.\u00a0<\/p>\n The program was not affected by council members\u2019 August vote to suspend the city\u2019s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives<\/a> to avoid risking millions in federal funds after President Donald Trump\u2019s directive, Syed said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The commission, which shifted from the city\u2019s now-suspended diversity and inclusion department to human resources, still oversees Movies That Matter. Fort Worth officials removed language specifically mentioning diversity and inclusion from the movie program\u2019s website.\u00a0<\/p>\n Karen Johnson, chair of the Human Relations Commission, declined to comment on the program\u2019s future.\u00a0<\/p>\n The final two film screenings of the year \u2014 a 2022 documentary that explores ADHD<\/a> and a 2023 documentary about Indigenous people protecting the Brazilian Amazon \u2014 are scheduled for Oct. 2 and Dec. 4 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The museum has offered its auditorium to the city to screen the movies for over a decade.<\/p>\n Kendal Smith Lake, spokesperson for the Modern, said the museum is open to continue serving as a venue for Movies That Matter. She declined to comment specifically on the city\u2019s plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n Program launched to focus on \u2018diversity of perspectives\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n The Human Relations Commission was established in 1967 to advise and consult with the Fort Worth City Council and the city manager on matters involving racial, religious or ethnic discrimination.<\/p>\n Arts advocate Estrus Tucker chaired the Human Relations Commission when its members established Movies That Matter.<\/p>\n At the time, commissioners were looking for ways to foster public awareness on human rights issues, especially after members of the Fort Worth Police Department raided the Rainbow Lounge gay bar in June 2009<\/a>, he recalled.\u00a0<\/p>\n A series dedicated to independent films and documentaries seemed like the best fit, Tucker added.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThat led to a conversation about, \u2018How do we engage our neighbors?\u2019\u201d he said. \u201c\u2018How do we invite our neighbors not only to be informed and educated but also invite them to have conversations?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Commissioners review dozens of films annually before selecting a few to be screened in February, April, June, August, October and December. The program\u2019s funding initially started at $500 per year but grew to roughly $350-$500 for each film\u2019s screening rights, said Linda Tuggle, public education specialist for Fort Worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n Past film screenings included documentaries such as \u201cI Am Jane Doe<\/a>,\u201d \u201cPower to Heal: Medicare and the Civil Rights Revolution<\/a>\u201d and \u201cBreaking the Silence<\/a>.\u201d Those films discussed sex trafficking, health care barriers and LGBTQ veterans.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe intent was not to have just one side, but we wanted a diversity of perspectives and opinions,\u201d said Tucker, who stepped down from the commission in 2012. \u201cWe wanted a safe space regardless of what the opinion would be.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Since inception, the program\u2019s tagline has remained the same: \u201cThe price of admission is an open heart and mind.\u201d In 2013, Movies That Matter won the City Cultural Diversity Awards<\/a> from the National League of Cities.\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2017, the Human Relations Commission launched the quarterly series Movies That Matter Latino<\/a> at Artes de la Rosa in the Northside to highlight diverse filmmakers within Hispanic communities.<\/p>\n The most recent Latino film screening, held in December, spotlighted the Netflix documentary \u201cGoing Varsity in Mariachi<\/a>,\u201d which followed a Texas high school mariachi band and their coach as they aimed for a state championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n William Gir\u00f3n, executive director of Artes de la Rosa, expressed interest in continuing the collaboration with the city amid political divisions across the United States.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope that we are in the plans, even if it evolves, because of the environment that we\u2019re in,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tucker hopes potential changes to Movies That Matter don\u2019t derail the program\u2019s focus on highlighting human rights issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEvolve can be a very positive word,\u201d he said. \u201cThe program has never been perfect, but it has brought some awareness and encouragement for people that are often in the margins, that don\u2019t find relief, that don\u2019t find justice.\u201d<\/p>\n David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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