Date and Time
Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
7:00 pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)
“Sweet Freedom”
Exclusive Pre-Release Screening
Be among the first to experience Sweet Freedom, a 25-minute historical drama set in 1839 New Bedford. In this exclusive pre-showing, we invite you to journey into the heart of a bustling seaport town, where an Afro-Indigenous confectioner risks everything to protect fugitive slaves from the clutches of slave catchers—all while preparing for the grandest party of her career.
Written and directed by Alyssa Botelho, Sweet Freedom blends suspense, history, and human resilience. With captivating performances, stunning visuals, and authentic period detail, the film sheds light on a forgotten chapter of New Bedford’s rich past.
Join us for this exclusive pre-release screening, where you can share your feedback with the creators. There will be a Q&A session with the creative team, where you’ll hear firsthand about the making of the film and its message. This event marks the beginning of Sweet Freedom’s festival journey, offering an unforgettable evening of cinema, history, and conversation!
*This is a semi-formal attire event*
This film is rated PG-13 for the following content:
- Violence: Includes depictions of wrist grabs, guns being pointed at characters, striking someone’s head with a rolling pin, and brawling involving blunt objects.
- Language: Contains one use of strong language (“shit”), one instance of “goddamn,” and a scene where the racial “N-word” slur is almost spoken.
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Thematic Material: Depictions of violence related to slave hunters and the historical context of slavery.
Sweet Freedom Sponsors
About the Director
Alyssa Botelho is a writer, director, producer, and actor born and raised in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Her passion for unearthing untold stories from the past and breathing life into them through the art of filmmaking is what drives her to create. Her previous work, set in 17th-century Salem, received recognition including “Best Short Fiction” and “Best Director” awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
