Truth First Film Alliance

Thank you to everyone who came out to Truth First Film Alliance's special film tribute to legendary Black filmmaker Oscar Micheaux at the fabulous Last Picture House on Sunday, March 22nd. It was a memorable afternoon of film, screening OSCAR MICHEAUX: THE SUPERHERO OF BLACK FILMMAKING and Micheaux's rare 1920 feature-length silent movie WITHIN OUR GATES--his response to DW Griffith's BIRTH OF A NATION. The event presented a remarkable opportunity to see his work on the big screen as it was meant to be seen. It was 142 years ago today, March 25th, that he died at age 67. He left us with 44 films that truly challenged racial injustice and stereotyping, and created a crucial counter-narrative for Black audiences. It is nice to have mythical superheroes. But it's the real superheroes among us--like Micheaux--who inspire us to be better and do better and change for the better. Our thanks to historian Jordan Bell for participating in our virtual Q&A. And, our sincere gra...

Oscar Micheaux portrait by artist Bruce Walters. An Illinois-born pioneer independent filmmaker and former Iowa resident’s story will be revealed onscreen in the feature-length documentary  “Oscar Micheaux : The Superhero of Black Filmmaking”  on  Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m.  at The Last Picture House  325 E. 2nd Street, Davenport.  A virtual post-screening discussion follows with special guest historian Jordan Bell , from Roanoke, Virginia. Micheaux’s 1920 silent film “Within our Gates” will screen at 4:15 p.m . Admittance to this special event is FREE. Seating for both shows is limited. Truth First Film Alliance, Inc. is pleased to join with sponsors Azubuike African American Council for the Arts , Friends of MLK, Inc. , the RockIsland County NAACP Chapter 3268B , the QC Area Film Office and the NorthwestIllinois Film Office to present these important Black history films. Directed by Francisco Zippel, the documentary “Oscar Micheaux: The Superhero of ...

Truth First Film Alliance, Inc is proud to join with Azubuike AfricanAmerican Council for the Arts , Friends of MLK, Inc. , and the NAACP Chapter 3268B to present the documentary “Oscar Micheaux: The Superhero of Black Filmmaking” at The Last Picture House, 325 E. 2nd Street, Davenport, IA on Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m.  A post-screening discussion with a special speaker will follow the documentary.  Micheaux’s rare 1920 silent film “Within our Gates” will screen at 4:15 p.m. in the small theater--seating is first come first served. The event is FREE to the public. This film program is sponsored by  Truth First Film Alliance, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports and encourages the production and exhibition of documentary films, and narrative films based on true stories, through public presentations and educational programs in the Quad Cities region. For more information, visit TruthFirstFilmAlliance.org . 

The  2026 QC Environmental Film Series  finishes on Sunday, March 1 with the documentary "Reef Builders" and international filmmaker Stephen Shearman all the way from London to attend the event and take part in Q&A after the film. "Reef Builders" screens  at  St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center ,  518 W Locust St. Davenport, Iowa. The QCEFS event begins at 2pm with ENVIRO Connect featuring networking with local environmental groups and organizations. The film program begins at 3pm , followed by a Talk Back with director Stephen Shearman. Film Synopsis: " Reef Builders " is a 2025 documentary presented by the SHEBA® brand (Mars Inc.) highlighting the Sheba Hope Grows™ program's efforts to restore coral reefs. Directed by Stephen Shearman, the film showcases restoration projects in Indonesia, Kenya, Australia, and Hawaii, featuring the use of "Reef Stars" to rebuild marine ecosystems. Read Jonathan Turner's WVIK stor...

   The  2026 QC Environmental Film Series  continues on Sunday, February 15 with a DOUBLE FEATURE presentation of the short documentaries Kelp! and The Green Buffalo . The films screen  at  St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center ,  518 W Locust St. Davenport, Iowa. The QCEFS event begins at 2pm with ENVIRO Connect featuring networking exhibits with local environmental groups and organizations. The film program begins at 3pm, followed by a Q&A with special guest speakers. FILM TRAILERS This year's QC Environmental Film Series'  Official Selections By-Invitation   include: "Out There: A National Parks Story", "Out of Plain Sight", "Beaver Fever", "The Cigarette Surfboard", a Double Feature: "Kelp!" and "The Green Buffalo", and "Reef Builders". Admission is $10/pp. Season passes are $40. Students are free (with student ID). Visit  QCEnvironmentalFilmSeries.org  for film details and ticket info...

The  2026 QC Environmental Film Series  continues on Sunday, February 8th with the documentary "The Cigarette Surfboard". The film screens  at  St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center ,  518 W Locust St. Davenport, Iowa. The QCEFS event begins at 2pm with ENVIRO Connect featuring networking with local environmental groups and organizations. The film program begins at 3pm, followed by a virtual Q&A with filmmaker/surfer Ben Judkins of California. Film Synopsis: After a young designer realizes that a surfboard – which he crafted from thousands of littered cigarette butts picked up off California beaches – could captivate the eyes of millions across the globe, he decides to use it as the impetus to do something more. The Cigarette Surfboards become a platform to spark ocean stewardship and the symbol of a campaign to hold Big Tobacco accountable for their toxic, plastic waste. Surfing is the medium, but the message is universal. This year's QC Environ...