SJI Justice Lens Film Series

SJI’s Justice Lens Film Series is an annual public film and discussion series focused on social justice issues.

In 2025, our 5th annual Justice Lens Film Series honored Black History Month. Our Chicago Justice Gallery curator, Lola Ayisha Ogbara, selected several films that correspond with themes from our exhibition, Echoes of Ferguson, including abolition, place-making, unrest, and liberation.

Screenings took place every Thursday evening in February, starting at 6:00 pm in the Chicago Justice Gallery (1344 S Halsted Street), followed by facilitated discussion. SJI also co-sponsored a special matinee program and screening of One Million Experiments, followed by a panel discussion and performance with cultural producers Respair Media on Tuesday, February 18, from 3:30-5:30 pm at Student Center East, tower room 605, in collaboration with the Department of Black Studies and other units.

Screenings in this series are always free and open to both UIC affiliates and the public.

Whose Streets? featuring discussion with director Sabaah Folayan and cinematographer Chris Renteria

FEBRUARY 6, 2025 – Whose Streets? offers an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising, told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe this movement for justice. From the filmmakers: “When unarmed teenager Michael Brown is killed by police and left lying in the street for hours, it marks a breaking point for the residents of St. Louis, Missouri. Grief, long-standing racial tensions and renewed anger bring residents together to hold vigil and protest this latest tragedy. Empowered parents, artists, and teachers from around the country come together as freedom fighters. As the National Guard descends on Ferguson with military grade weaponry, these young community members become the torchbearers of a new resistance.”

Double Feature: Residue and Arkee, featuring meet and greet with formerly-incarcerated artist Arkee Chaney and filmmaker Ben Kolak

FEBRUARY 13, 2025 – Residue: From the filmmaker: “Written and directed by Merawi Gerima, Residue follows aspiring filmmaker Jay (Obinna Nwachukwu) returning to his childhood Washington, DC, neighborhood that has been gentrified beyond recognition. Dealing with alienation from his friends, troubled by the disappearance of his best friend, and unsure of his place in this new community, Jay confronts issues of identity, gentrification and loss.”

Arkee: Arkee Chaney is a self-taught painter, cartoonist and sculptor, who spent over 30 years incarcerated until his sentence was commuted. Discover his work and hear him reflect on his life, practice, and aspirations, in this short film with original music by Ben Lamar Gay.

Double Feature: The Kinloch Doc and Ferguson Rises

FEBRUARY 20, 2025 – The Kinloch Doc, by filmmaker Alana Marie, tells the story of the rise and demise of Missouri’s first Black city. The documentary explores themes of home, community, race and housing, gentrification, and efforts to build in the face of systemic disinvestment.

Ferguson Rises explores the aftermath of the August 9, 2014 murder of Michael Brown Jr. by a white police officer, and the protests that ensued. It also highlights the diverse voices of community members, including those who chose to say “enough is enough” by taking to the streets for a record 400 days straight. These varied perspectives are interwoven with a rarely seen portrayal of a Black father’s grief, to help us understand the human side of this tragedy and to give us an intimate view of what it means to be a Black man in America. Director Mobolaji Olambiwonnu shows us the indomitable nature of the human spirit and how people can take something so tragic and build something beautiful around it.

Double Feature: Beneath the Surface and Reimagining Safety featuring Q&A with filmmaker Matthew Solomon.

FEBRUARY 27, 2025: Beneath The Surface, a short film by cai thomas, documents the investigation by data scientist and journalist trina reynolds-tyler into gender based violence at the hands of the Chicago Police Department. More information about the project and its findings can be found by visiting the website of the Invisible Institute, an award-winning center for journalism based in Chicago, whose newsroom recently won an Emmy, a Peabody, a National Magazine Award, and three Pulitzer Prizes.

Reimagining Safety features 10 experts from a variety of perspectives who address the false premise that more police and prisons make us safer, while demonstrating the humane and practical alternatives that actually work in creating safe communities.