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An array of films was featured for the first time through the Foot Soldiers’ Park inaugural Selma Cinema Fest, a film festival that showcased various filmmakers’ work who were from Alabama and from other parts of the world.

According to Carey Fountain, Director of Programs and Partnerships at Foot Soldiers Park, the three-day event evolved from “Photographic Nights,” which is an event that the organization has been doing for the past five years through the vision of Ms. Joanne Bland.

Bland is the founder of Foot Soldiers’ Park and actively serves as the organization’s Chief Strategy Officer.

On Saturday, April 5, there was a closing ceremony and also an awards ceremony at the Walton Theater dedicated to the best of films from the event which started with the first category of many named the Best Feature Film.

The Best Feature Film was awarded to the film called “A Walk Along the Borne.” The Best U.S. Short was awarded to the “Room For Dessert,” and for the Best Alabama Short category, the film “Revolution of Joy” was selected as well.

As for the Best Social Justice Short, the film “51st State” was selected, and as for the final category named the Best International Short, the film “Khasak” was selected as well.

To conclude the award ceremony, Foot Soldiers Park congratulated all the “incredible filmmakers” who shared their powerful stories with them and said that films are bridges that connect us to the shared human experience, and yours resonated deeply with the Selma community, according to an online statement.

“Special shout out to our sponsors, our dedicated jury, our amazing staff, volunteers and organizers, as well as all festival attendees. Your support is what made this first edition a success,” said The Foot Soldiers Park.