Proof of vaccination is no longer required for entry to the Smith Opera House. Masks are no longer required, though we strongly encourage their use particularly by those unvaccinated, including children. The Smith reserves the right to amend this policy as necessary, including at the request of specific artists or presenters.

Event Calendar

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Race Films/Race Matters

Finger Lakes Film Trail

FLX Cinemas co-host Race Films/Race Matters: Starting Conversations About Race in America

The Smith is teaming up with the Finger Lakes Film Trail, Cinemapolis, and Cornell Cinema, to host a series exploring historical race films and how they’re relevant to today. Each participating organization will host a discussion about a selected film; patrons can watch the film and a pre-recorded introduction ahead of time by going to the Finger Lakes Film Trail website.

Featured films include Within Our Gates (1920), The Scar of Shame (1929), and The Emperor Jones (1933). All events are virtual, open to the public, and free.

Coming Soon: Cinemapolis of Ithaca, NY will be hosting The Emperor Jones (1933). Based on a play by Eugene O’Neill, this film is directed by Dudley Murphy and stars Paul Robeson.

Details for this will be announced at a later date. Stay tuned for more information!

About Race Films

The films known as “race films” were produced between the 1910s and the early 1940s and were created by black film companies for black audiences. They starred black actors and emphasized black-oriented issues and themes

This series uses race films as a starting point for necessary, informative, and provocative conversations about race, racial tension, and racial discrimination in America today.

The Finger Lakes Film Trail program series Race Films/Race Matters: Starting Conversations About Race in America is made possible by an Action Grant from Humanities New York, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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