Fairbanks NAACP and Parks and Recreation offer free public showing of “Till”

A shocking moment in the nation's history has been turned into a critically acclaimed film, and this Sunday, you'll have the chance to see the film for free.
Published: Feb. 25, 2023 at 2:41 PM AKST
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FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - A shocking moment in the nation’s history has been turned into a critically acclaimed film this year, directed by a woman who grew up in Fairbanks.

“Till” tells the aftermath of the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till, a moment that brought the struggle of Black Americans to light for many in the U.S.

This Sunday, community members will have the chance to see the film for free at Pioneer Park.

The showing, organized by the Greater Fairbanks NAACP and the Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation Department, is expected to include an introduction to the film and to the NAACP.

Tonya Brown with the Health Committee of the NAACP of Fairbanks said, “It’s important to know what’s good in our history, what’s not, what problems there were, and what needs to be done to correct it, bring it to a stop.” Brown continued, “the purpose of this was to get this excellently done film, that’s putting it mildly, out to people to see to get a real good insight on what happened in this situation.”

After living in Fairbanks since age six, the film’s director, Chinonye Chukwu, studied at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Theatre and Film Department before directing her first feature, Alaskaland, in 2012. While she likely will not be able to attend the event in-person, the pride of her community follows her as she continues to work around the country.

The event will be first-come, first-served, and bottled water and popcorn will be available.

Maya Salganek, Associate Professor of Film and Video Arts at UAF explained the showing, “It’s a beautiful opportunity to be together in one space and just be together for Till and to recognize the accomplishments of Chinonye Chukwu and at the same time understand that we’re still working through our own institutional racisms in our communities.”

The event will take place at the Centennial Center Theater at Pioneer Park starting at 2:00 p.m. The movie is rated PG-13.