CPJF Ancillary: Film Screening: Sun Ra: Do the Impossible / Performance: James Stewart Quartet

Sun Ra: Do the Impossible (2025) Directed and Produced by: Christine Turner Sun Ra: Do the Impossible is a documentary profiling the legendary jazz composer, philosopher, and “Godfather of Afrofuturism”, Sun Ra. Directed by Christine Turner, the 84-minute film follows his journey from a segregated Alabama upbringing to pioneering a cosmic, interstellar brand of free-form jazz. The documentary tracks the life of Herman Poole Blount, an autodidact who legally changed his name to Sun Ra. The film highlights his role as a foundational architect of Afrofuturism, an artistic and cultural movement that blends Black history, science fiction, and ancient Egyptian mythology. Key aspects of the film include, The Arkestra: Details his creation of the Sun Ra Arkestra, an ever-evolving collective of dedicated musicians who lived and performed under his interstellar vision. Vast Output: Highlights his unmatched work ethic, producing over 1,000 compositions and self-releasing more than 200 records as one of the first Black artists to own his own record label. The Man and the Myth: Explores how his space-age mythology and costumes functioned as “liberatory technology” to empower Black identity and imagination. Interviews & Archives: Features rare archival footage, concert clips, and insights from current Arkestra members and contemporary artists. James Stewart Quartet Saxophonist James Stewart, born and raised in Trenton, NJ, had the good fortune of studying with Mr Thomas Gryce (brother of Gigi Gryce) in high school. After earning a BA in music education in 1980, he went on to work with the Duke Ellington Orchestra (under the direction of Mercer Ellington), Abdullah Ibrahim, Frank Foster’s Loud Minority big band, the Lionel Hampton big band, Gloria Gaynor, The Dells, The Temptations, and the late great Danny Mixon. He has long been a member of the Sun Ra Arkestra. Stay For The Credits is a curated cinematic experience and cultural event platform built around intentional programming, immersive screenings, curated audiences, and thoughtful conversation. Rooted in the belief that film is more than entertainment, STAY creates elevated moviegoing experiences where cinema becomes a catalyst for connection, discovery, nostalgia, and community. Each STAY screening is designed to honor not only the film itself, but the culture that surrounds it—bringing together film lovers, tastemakers, creatives, and communities for unforgettable shared experiences. ImageNation Cinema Foundation is an innovative Harlem-based non-profit created to develop cinemas and audiences for independent films and music, that depict the global Black experience. ImageNation’s goal is to empower communities by presenting a variety of public programs that foster media equity, media literacy, solidarity, cross-cultural exchange and highlight the humanity of Pan-African people worldwide. Founded by Moikgantsi Kgama (Founder & Executive Director) and current led by Gregory Gates (Executive Producer), ImageNation has hosted film screenings, live music performances and other cultural events for more than 100,000 people worldwide since its inception in New York City in 1997. In addition to hosting year-round programs at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and New York City Parks, ImageNation has presented internationally in South Africa, Scotland and Canada and domestically at Harvard University, MASS MOCA and in Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Baltimore, MD and Washington DC. Programs have featured appearances by leading filmmakers such as Spike Lee, Lee Daniels, Stanley Nelson and Ava Duvernay. ImageNation’s RAW SPACE, will be developed into the ImageNation Cinema Cafe, a boutique cinema highlighting global Black film and culture. ImageNation is a founding partner in AFFRM, a national film distribution collective, founded by Ava DuVernay. Supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York Legislature and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the Howard Gilman Foundation.