LightReel Announces Opening & Closing Night Films
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STAR-STUDDED PREMIERES OPEN AND CLOSE THE FANTASTIC SLATE OF THIS YEAR’S LIGHTREEL FILM FESTIVAL
Washington, DC – April 21, 2025 – The 6th Annual LightReel Film Festival is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated Opening and Closing Night Films, bookending four days of bold and diverse storytelling from June 4–7, 2025, in the heart of the Nation’s Capital. Washington, DC’s largest BIPOC film festival will open with the World Premiere of The Class Reunion and close with the DC Premiere of 40 Acres — both helmed by visionary Black filmmakers and starring dynamic, award-winning talent.
Opening Night Film – The Class Reunion (World Premiere)
Starring Lil Rel Howery (Get Out, Free Guy) and filmed entirely in Washington, DC, The Class Reunion marks a historic milestone for the LightReel Film Festival. This heartfelt dramedy tells the story of five alumni from the fictional Lowe Barr High School in Gary, Indiana, as they gather for their ten-year reunion. When a faulty cafeteria door locks them in with their stringent English teacher-turned-principal, the once-jock, nerd, popular girl, teen mom, and delinquent are forced to confront their past — and each other.
As time passes, old tensions surface, long-held secrets unravel, and the group discovers they may not be as different as they once thought. With DC filmmakers behind the lens and the city itself providing the backdrop, The Class Reunion is a testament to local talent and storytelling that resonates far beyond the District. The World Premiere of The Class Reunion is a historic and momentous occasion for the festival and the cinematic community.
This film embodies everything LightReel stands for - laughter, layered characters, and local excellence,” said Festival Director Tim Gordon. “Premiering The Class Reunion here, where it was made, is both a celebration of community and a powerful example of what regional filmmaking can achieve.”
The Class Reunion will premiere on Thursday, June 5, at the Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market.
Closing Night Film – 40 Acres (DC Premiere)
The festival closes with the haunting and visually arresting DC Premiere of 40 Acres, a post-apocalyptic thriller written and directed by R.T. Thorne in his feature-length film debut. The film stars acclaimed actress Danielle Deadwyler (The Harder They Fall, Till) as the matriarch of a community descended from African American farmers who resettled in rural Canada after the First Civil War in 1875.
Now, 200 years later, in a decimated future, the descendants fight to preserve their history, their land, and each other in the face of environmental collapse and isolation. 40 Acres is a chilling, genre-bending allegory that interrogates legacy, survival, and reclamation in the wake of erasure.
“This is a singular, significant work of Afrofuturism,” said Gordon. “Danielle Deadwyler delivers a masterclass in resilience and emotional depth. It’s an unforgettable closing event to our festival.”
40 Acres will premiere Saturday, June 7, also at the Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market.
Festival Details & Venue
All screenings will take place at the festival’s host venue, the Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market, a modern and intimate cinema located in the heart of the Union Market District. As the Presenting Sponsor, the Union Market District sets the stage for an immersive cinematic experience surrounded by some of the city’s most beloved food, arts, and cultural experiences.
From thought-provoking narratives and powerful documentaries to vibrant parties and industry panels, the LightReel Film Festival remains DC’s premier celebration of BIPOC cinema and creativity.
Festival passes are available now at lightreelfilm.com.
Individual tickets go on sale Monday, May 12, 2025.
Follow @LightReel25 and @DCsSummerCinematicEvent on social media for the latest updates.
About Union Market District
One of Washington, DC’s fastest-growing neighborhoods, Union Market District (UMD) is a unique fusion of heritage and innovation. The historic Market is the 20,000-square-foot home to dozens of merchants and purveyors of food and drink alongside a dynamic, 45-acre streetscape of independent shops and services, nationally recognized brands, and highly rated restaurants. La Cosecha is a contemporary Latin American marketplace and culinary embassy. Plaza at the Dock, below one of DC’s largest public rooftops with a 360-degree vista, further distinguishes UMD as a true gem within a world-class city.
About the LightReel Film Festival
Presented by the Foundation for the Advancement of African Americans in Film (FAAAF), the LightReel Film Festival is a four-day celebration of film, food, and fun in the Nation’s Capital. Dedicated to showcasing excellence in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) storytelling, the festival brings together emerging voices, established filmmakers, and engaged audiences to share in the power of cinema.
Festival Sponsors
The 2025 LightReel Film Festival is made possible with the generous support of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, Events DC, PDSI, Destination DC, and Selig Polyscope.
Media Contact:
Lana Walker
Email: delanalynn45@gmail.com
