Panorama: Sinners in 70mm
After this 70mm screening, join us for a discussion with Cliff Notez, founder of HipStory & We Black Folk!
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Michael Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. Written and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Coogler, Sinners stars Jordan in a dual role, joined by Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo.
About Cliff Notez
Prolific collaborator and award-winning multimedia & Film Maker artist Cliff Notez seamlessly manifests a mix of hip hop, jazz, folk, soul and R&B that’s been likened to “Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly, blended with the paranoia of Radiohead’s Kid A.”
Their music reveals the repercussions of trauma, exposes the realities of the Black experience, and shares an intimate journey towards healing. Heavy lyrical themes are often juxtaposed with uplifting sounds: bright horns, sparkling keys, snappy percussion, and glowing guitar riffs. Cliff’s art is the perfect visual accompaniment for all of these themes, creating work that is both emotionally challenging while layered with colorful, playful imagery.
Cliff received their M.A. in Digital Media in 2016 from Northeastern University and their B.A. in Music & Psychology from Wheaton College. Their films have won over 5 and been official selections for 30 and counting film festivals globally. In 2017 they were the grand prize winner of the March on Washington Festival and honored alongside Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Cliff Notez’s work has caught the attention of publications like The New York Times, NPR, The Boston Globe, and Boston Herald, among others and have garnered shoutouts from the likes of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. They performed at Boston Calling Music Festival in 2022 and have previously shared the stage with Ja Rule and Gym Class Heroes. Cliff Had their first solo art Exhibition at the Dorchester Art Project in 2020, then followed it up with a solo show at FPAC assemblage in 2022 on the Boston’s Seaport.
It’s no surprise Uproxx dubbed Cliff “one of the most remarkable music figures in Boston,” as their influence extends far beyond the hip hop scene. Passionate about social justice and amplifying Black stories, Cliff Notez has worked hard to give back to their local community and to lobby for inclusion. Currently an Assistant Professor at the Berklee College of Music and Tufts University—and having previously taught at Harvard, MIT, Emerson, and Northeastern University—Notez shares their industry expertise in college classrooms teaching classes on ranging from songwriting to filmmaking.
As the founder of digital media company HipStory, Cliff Notez brought hip hop to one of the largest art museums in the world. Their programming for the Late Nite series at the Museum of Fine Arts created an opportunity for rappers to perform at one of Boston’s most prestigious institutions—giving the genre access to cultural conversations it is often left out of.
Cliff Notez was named “Best Musician” and one of the “100 Most Influential Bostonians” by Boston Magazine, and listed among the “50 Most Influential Bostonians” by Boston Common Magazine. With over 11 Boston Music Award nominations and as the winner of “Song of the Year” in 2020, and the coveted “Best New Artist” award in 2018, Cliff Notez continues to be a central figure of the Boston arts’ scene.
In 2024, Cliff Notez founded the We Black Folk Initiative, a groundbreaking movement dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and innovating within the rich traditions of Black folk music and culture. Rooted in storytelling, community, and the deep historical lineage of Black artistry, We Black Folk provides platforms for intergenerational connection through music, performance, and education. With four core programs—Griot Gatherings, Cultural Crossroads, Rhythm & Roots, and the Kinfolk Fellowship—the initiative builds spaces for Black artists and audiences to engage with folk traditions in ways that are both contemporary and ancestral. Under Cliff’s leadership, We Black Folk has quickly become a vital force in redefining folk music to reflect the full spectrum of the African diaspora, ensuring that Black voices remain central to the narratives that shape American music history.
About Shaun Clarke
Shaun Clarke is a filmmaker based in Boston, MA. His work in dance film explores how dance can be transformed through the tools of cinema: lenses, light, sound and editing. His award-winning dance film work has been featured in numerous international and national film festivals, including: the San Francisco Dance Film Festival, Portland Dance Film Festival (OR), the Thomas Edison Film Festival, San Souci Dance Film Festival (Boulder, CO), Screen Dance International (Detroit), the Fine Arts Film Festival (Santa Barbara, CA) the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the University Film and Video Association.
His work as a Cinematographer/Director of Photography ranges from short narrative films, to nationally-broadcast commercial spots, feature-length narrative and documentary films. He received a B.F.A. in Film & Television production from New York University, and an M.F.A. in Film and Media Art from Emerson College. He also studied cinematography at FAMU (Prague). He is currently an Associate Professor of digital and film production and Chair of the Department of Visual and Media Arts at Emerson College. He has previously taught at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Wentworth Institute of Technology.
About Grace Givertz
Hailing from the sunshine state of Florida, Grace Givertz captivates audiences with her indie folk compositions, blending earworm melodies with heartfelt storytelling. As a multi-instrumentalist, she infuses her music with a diverse array of sounds, weaving folk, Americana, and indie rock into a tapestry uniquely her own.
Drawing inspiration from her personal journey living with chronic illness, Givertz's music resonates with raw emotion and introspection. Her experiences infuse her songs with depth and authenticity, inviting listeners to explore themes of resilience and vulnerability. Grace Givertz showcases her multi-instrumentalism on her debut album, Year of the Horse, playing guitar, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica in addition to vocals. Year of the Horse showcases Grace’s ability to turn lemons in to lemonade through song. “…The only real option is to smile at how much she packs into a tiny punch of a song,” Nina Corcoran writes in digboston.
She has also been heavily involved with the Black Opry, an organization dedicated to highlighting and supporting Black musicians in the country music industry. In 2023, this lead to her participating in WXPN’s Black Opry Residency in Philadelphia. In a groundbreaking move, Givertz is currently working on her sophomore album, which exclusively features BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or disabled musicians. This collaborative effort not only amplifies underrepresented voices but also underscores her commitment to inclusivity and diversity within the music industry. Givertz's talent shines bright, earning her acclaim for her captivating performances. She's been nominated for Boston Music Awards and received the City of Boston's Extraordinary Women Award for her contributions to music and community.
Beyond accolades, she shares her expertise through songwriting workshops, including sessions with the Harvard Ed Portal, empowering others to authentically express themselves. Grace Givertz's melodies resonate as beacons of authenticity, illuminating the indie folk landscape and reminding us of the enduring power of storytelling through song.
