Atlanta-based tastemakers and film enthusiasts showed up last night at Midtown Art Cinema, in support of the film “Blackbird.”   The private screening was hosted by Urban Movie Channel and RLJ Entertainment in conjunction with V103 FM. Executive producers Mo’Nique and her husband, Sidney Hicks, were in the building, as well as cast members D. Woods, Torrey Lamar and Nikki Jane.

“Blackbird” is the powerful coming-of-age story of 17-year old Randy Rousseau, a Black high school senior struggling to come to terms with his sexuality in the small religiously conservative Mississippi town he calls home. Randy juggles his role as star of the church choir with facing everyday trials of life as a high school misfit. Complicating matters, his little sister has been abducted and his parents have subsequently split up, leaving him to care for his emotionally disturbed, heartbroken mother, Claire. When Claire discovers the shocking secret about her son’s sexuality, she blames him for the disappearance of his sister and insists he turn to the Lord to deliver his soul. Randy’s father, Lance, has been keeping a watchful eye on his broken family and steps in to give his son a hand as he struggles to become a man. (via MovieNewz)

Guests included radio personality Ramona Debreaux, comedian Rodney Perry (Bounce TV), WNBA Atlanta Dream forward  Angel McCoughtry, Dr. Heavenly Kimes (Bravo’s “Married to Medicine”), Gary Hayes (DISH Nation/“Rickey Smiley Morning Show”), Meelah Williams (singer, TV One’s “R&B Divas Atlanta”), Michelle Brown (blogger, StraightfromtheA.com), Bobby Valentino,  Melissa Knowles (HLN’s “The Daily Share”), comedian Tone X, Funky Dineva (YouTuber/blogger, FunkyDineva.com), Gee and Juan Session-Smalls (Gentleman’s Ball), Bishop Oliver Clyde Allen and Rashad Burgess (The Vision Church), Melissa Scott (TRAXX Girls), Jim Farmer (Out On Film Festival) and Jacob Kohinoor (YouTube).

“Blackbird” will hit theaters on April 24. To find out if the film will be showing at a theater near you, visit www.blackbirdthemovie.com.

Follow on social media @BlkBirdtheFilm using hashtag #WeAreBlackbird. @MoWorldWide, @IWashington, @PatrikIanPolk, @YaGirlDWoods, @TorreyLaamar,@SuperJane814, @ThtGuyJulian !

Photo Credit: Chris Mitchell