Fort Worth鈥檚 free film program previously focused on diversity and inclusion may change its scope on the silver screen in the wake of the city eliminating DEI initiatives.
Sana Syed, chief spokesperson for Fort Worth, said city staff are exploring ways the program 鈥渃ould evolve so that it can continue to provide an educational benefit to the community.鈥�
Long-term options or changes have not been decided, she said. Updates are expected by the end of the year.
鈥淚t鈥檚 too early in the process for us to share anything more at this time,鈥� she said.
Movies That Matter was established in June 2011 by the to explore human rights issues such as racism, gender inequality, literacy and veteran challenges through bimonthly film screenings. Each movie was followed by moderated discussions with local experts to offer space for dialogue.
The program was not affected by to avoid risking millions in federal funds after President Donald Trump鈥檚 directive, Syed said.
The commission, which shifted from the city鈥檚 now-suspended diversity and inclusion department to human resources, still oversees Movies That Matter. Fort Worth officials removed language specifically mentioning diversity and inclusion from the movie program鈥檚 website.
Karen Johnson, chair of the Human Relations Commission, declined to comment on the program鈥檚 future.
The final two film screenings of the year 鈥� a and a 2023 documentary about Indigenous people protecting the Brazilian Amazon 鈥� are scheduled for Oct. 2 and Dec. 4 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The museum has offered its auditorium to the city to screen the movies for over a decade.
Kendal Smith Lake, spokesperson for the Modern, said the museum is open to continue serving as a venue for Movies That Matter. She declined to comment specifically on the city鈥檚 plans.
Program launched to focus on 鈥榙iversity of perspectives鈥�
The Human Relations Commission was established in 1967 to advise and consult with the Fort Worth City Council and the city manager on matters involving racial, religious or ethnic discrimination.
Arts advocate Estrus Tucker chaired the Human Relations Commission when its members established Movies That Matter.
At the time, commissioners were looking for ways to foster public awareness on human rights issues, especially after members of the Fort Worth Police Department , he recalled.
A series dedicated to independent films and documentaries seemed like the best fit, Tucker added.
鈥淭hat led to a conversation about, 鈥楬ow do we engage our neighbors?鈥欌�� he said. 鈥溾�楬ow do we invite our neighbors not only to be informed and educated but also invite them to have conversations?鈥欌��
Commissioners review dozens of films annually before selecting a few to be screened in February, April, June, August, October and December. The program鈥檚 funding initially started at $500 per year but grew to roughly $350-$500 for each film鈥檚 screening rights, said Linda Tuggle, public education specialist for Fort Worth.
Past film screenings included documentaries such as 鈥�,鈥� 鈥溾�� and 鈥�.鈥� Those films discussed sex trafficking, health care barriers and LGBTQ veterans.
鈥淭he intent was not to have just one side, but we wanted a diversity of perspectives and opinions,鈥� said Tucker, who stepped down from the commission in 2012. 鈥淲e wanted a safe space regardless of what the opinion would be.鈥�
Since inception, the program鈥檚 tagline has remained the same: 鈥淭he price of admission is an open heart and mind.鈥� In 2013, Movies That Matter from the National League of Cities.
In 2017, the Human Relations Commission launched the quarterly series at Artes de la Rosa in the Northside to highlight diverse filmmakers within Hispanic communities.
The most recent Latino film screening, held in December, spotlighted the Netflix documentary 鈥�,鈥� which followed a Texas high school mariachi band and their coach as they aimed for a state championship.
William Gir贸n, executive director of Artes de la Rosa, expressed interest in continuing the collaboration with the city amid political divisions across the United States.
鈥淲e hope that we are in the plans, even if it evolves, because of the environment that we鈥檙e in,鈥� he said.
Tucker hopes potential changes to Movies That Matter don鈥檛 derail the program鈥檚 focus on highlighting human rights issues.
鈥淓volve can be a very positive word,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he program has never been perfect, but it has brought some awareness and encouragement for people that are often in the margins, that don鈥檛 find relief, that don鈥檛 find justice.鈥�
David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or .
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