The African Diaspora International Film Festival Presents: The Women’s History Month Film Series! Join us at Teachers College Columbia University for a weekend celebration of empowering and inspiring films highlighting women’s achievements and struggles.

Festival at a Glance:

Friday, march 28 – 408 zankel

6pm Mother Suriname

A woman looks back on her life, through narration and song. In Mother Suriname – Mama Sranan, filmmaker Tessa Leuwsha uses a stream of fascinating colorized archival footage to illustrate the lives of Surinamese women like her grandmother, who was a washerwoman. Directed by Tessa Leuwsha, 2023, 71 minute, Netherlands, Documentary, English

7:30pm Power Alley

Seventeen-year-old volleyball star Sofia faces an unwanted pregnancy before a crucial championship. As she seeks an illegal termination, a relentless fundamentalist group targets her. But Sofia and her loved ones refuse to bow to their fanaticism. Directed by Lillah Halla, 2023, 92 minute, Brazil, Sports Drama, Portuguese (with English subtitles)

7:30pm

Sat, March 29 – 408 zankel

1pm Sara Gomez: An Afro-Cuban Filmmaker

Sara Gomez, An Afro-Cuban Filmmaker is a documentary about Sarah Gomez, Cuba’s first female filmmaker. Blending archival footage and interviews, it explores her revolutionary work addressing Afro-Cuban culture, women’s issues, and marginalized communities, highlighting her intelligence, independence, and unique storytelling that bridged contrasting worlds. Directed by Alessandra Muller, 2005, 76 minutes, Cuba, Switzerland, Documentary, Spanish (with English subtitles)

3pm Foreign Body

After fleeing Tunisia’s revolution, Samia struggles to survive in France without papers. She finds work with Leila, but her presence unsettles the household, drawing her into complex power dynamics and escalating sexual tension. Directed by Raja Amari, 2016, 90 minutes, France, Drama/Romance, French, Arabic (with English subtitles)

5pm Big Little Women

Three generations of women rebel against patriarchal prohibitions. Directed by Nadia Fares, 2022, 86 minutes, Egypt, Documentary, Arabic, English, German (with English subtitles)

7 pm The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks

Beyond her historic role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, this comprehensive dive into Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks sheds light on her extensive organizing, radical politics, and lifelong dedication to activism. Directed by Johanna Hamilton, Yoruba Richen, 2022, 96 minutes, USA, Documentary, English

Sun, March 30 – 408 zankel

2pm White Lies

DramaView all films tagged “Drama”A medicine woman – a giver of life – is asked to hide a secret which may protect one life but which will destroy another. Directed by Dana Rotberg, 2013, 96 minutes, New Zealand, Drama, Maori and English (with English subtitles)

4pm A Rising Tide

Seen primarily through the eyes of women and children of color living through housing insecurity in California’s Alameda County, A Rising Tide aims to identify how and why homelessness occurs. Directed by  Sarah Webster Fabio, 2013, 93 minutes, USA, Documentary, English

6pm The Disappearance of Miss Scott + Q&A

The Disappearance of Miss Scott chronicles Hazel Scott’s meteoric rise as a jazz talent and major Hollywood star before being blacklisted during the Red Scare. Directed by Nicole London, 2025, 80 minutes, USA, Documentary, English

The Columbia-Juilliard Exchange is hosting a FREE concert at the Teatro of the Italian Academy on March 28th at 7 PM.  Entitled Musica In Fiore and featuring music from Brahms, Bach, Schubert, and jazz improvisation, you won’t want to miss this event!

MAR 28 | FRI
7:30 PM

MAR 29 | SAT
2 & 7:30 PM

MAR 30 | SUN
2 PM

APR 3–5 | THURS–SAT
7:30 PM

APR 6 | SUN
2 PM

MSM MUSICAL THEATRE

Into the Woods 

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine

Evan Pappas, Director
Lorna Ventura, Choreographer
David Loud, Music Director

Talk-back immediately following the Sunday performances

Tickets Required
$30 adults, $15 non-MSM students and seniors

Neidorff-Karpati Hall
130 Claremont Avenue
New York, New York 10027

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

HDC sees stewardship of New York’s historic affordable housing stock as essential to its mission, and to the city’s future. HDC’s 2025 Conference will focus on New York’s historic affordable housing, including its rent-stabilized apartment buildings, which together constitute the city’s most abundant form of affordable housing.  The event will offer a meaningful nexus for housing and preservation, bringing together participants to share experiences, techniques, ideas and best practices for stewarding New York’s historic affordable housing.

We are pleased to announce a group of decision makers, advocates, and government experts will join us as panelists to explore this topic in detail. Confirmed speakers include Cordell Cleare, New York State Senator, 30th Senate District; Caitlin Waickman, Director of Research and Evaluation, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Leila Borzog, Executive Director for Housing, NYC Mayor’s Office; Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League of New York State; Mark Ginsberg, Founding Partner of Curtis + Ginsberg Architects; and many more.

Tickets are $25 for Friends of HDC/Seniors, $35 for the General Public, and FREE for students. AIA continuing education credits are also available for professionals at $50. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Sign up and learn more here.