ATLANTA—The Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) is thrilled to announce the upcoming premiere of The Harvest, the latest documentary by Pulitzer-Prize winning author, journalist, filmmaker and Professor of Practice, Douglas Blackmon. The documentary, part of the PBS American Experience series, is a deeply personal depiction of one Southern town’s painful struggle to integrate its public schools and the continuing repercussions still felt more than 50 years later.
Set against vast historic and demographic changes unfolding across America, The Harvest steps back in time to explore Mississippi’s brutal history of racial intolerance and segregation — a world in which schools for Black children were not only separate but deeply underfunded, often inaccessible, and sometimes nonexistent.
The documentary has already garnered significant attention, being selected as a finalist for the prestigious fifth annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. The award, established in 2019, recognizes late-stage documentaries that use original research and compelling narrative to tell stories that bring American history to life through archival materials. This recognition further cements Professor Blackmon’s reputation as a leading voice in the world of documentary filmmaking, showcasing his dedication to shedding light on important historical and social topics.
As a Professor of Practice at CMII, Douglas Blackmon has brought a wealth of real-world experience and expertise to his role, inspiring and guiding the next generation of filmmakers. The Harvest serves as a prime example of his commitment to fostering meaningful conversations through the art of filmmaking.
“CMII has been an incredible environment for working on The Harvest over the last several years,” stated Blackmon. “That has included everything from the most practical kind of help to the inspiration. I tapped into the expertise of other faculty working in visual design and audio, and could pull in students to help who had an incredible range of film production skills. That’s the beauty of CMII and Georgia State.”
The premiere of The Harvest is scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 9-11p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS App. Viewers are encouraged to tune in and experience this compelling narrative that offers a timely look at the continuing challenges of racial division and education equity still facing America today.
A free, public screening of The Harvest will take place on Thursday, September 7, 6:30 p.m. at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University. There will be a reception before the screening, organized by Georgia Humanities, and a talk-back afterwards. To secure tickets, please visit https://www.gpb.org/events/community/2023/09/07/american-experience-the-harvest-film-screening-and-discussion.
For more information about The Harvest, please visit https://pressroom.pbs.org/programs/a/american-experience/the-harvest.
Major funding for American Experience provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Liberty Mutual Insurance, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Major funding for The Harvest provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom, W.K. Kellogg Foundation: A Partner with Communities Where Children Come First, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations: Investing in Our Common Future, members of The Better Angels Society including The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund, and Chasing the Dream, a public media initiative from The WNET Group, reporting on poverty, justice, and economic opportunity in America. Additional series funding for American Experience provided by the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, the Documentary Investment Group, and public television viewers.
About the Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII)
The Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) is a leading hub for media arts education and innovation, dedicated to preparing students for careers in the ever-evolving creative and media industries. Through cutting-edge programs, industry partnerships, and state-of-the-art facilities, CMII offers a dynamic environment for students to explore their creative potential and pursue their passion for storytelling and media production.