By 
In this special episode of The Thought Brothers, we sit down with Will Gorham, founder of the groundbreaking FILMTEENTH National Juneteenth Film Festival — a celebration of Black excellence in cinema and storytelling.
Will shares the vision behind the festival, its powerful mission to amplify diverse voices, and how FILMTEENTH is creating a global platform to honor the legacy of Juneteenth through film with a focus on uplifting stories that reflect the beauty, struggle, and triumph of the Black experience worldwide.
Whether you’re a filmmaker, movie lover, or advocate for cultural equity, this conversation will inspire and inform. Discover how this unique festival is shaping a new narrative in entertainment.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Will Gorham
FILMteenth Film Festival
Email: filmteenth@yahoo.com
Website: www.filmteenth.org
The Juneteenth – Fourth Annual FILMteenth Film Festival in St. Petersburg, FL June 20-21.
National Juneteenth – FILMteenth Film Festival Showcases Black Excellence in Film, Performing Arts, and Technology
Tampa, FL —The Green Light Cinema in St. Petersburg, Fl., will host the Fourth Annual FILMteenth Film Festival, a powerful national celebration of storytelling, heritage, and innovation on June 20-21, 2025. Now recognized as a growing cultural Juneteenth destination, the festival will spotlight diverse films from around the globe while honoring the creative and technological contributions of people of color.
Founded by filmmaker and producer Will Gorham, FILMteenth is more than an independent film screening event—it is a movement to celebrate Black history, community, achievement and inspire opportunities in media, arts, and technology. It began as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) fundraising and networking event led by Vector Scholar, a 501(c)3 nonprofit supporting underserved youth in technology.
“FILMteenth is a tribute to the spirit of Juneteenth—freedom, creativity, and progress,” says Gorham. “It’s a space for global storytellers to elevate voices that have long been marginalized.”
Highlights of the Fourth Annual FILMteenth include:
A curated selection of international films by diverse and emerging filmmakers
Recognition and cash prizes for outstanding film projects
A signature awards garden party honoring creators and change-makers
Several Florida filmmakers are showcased this year, including an enlightening film which shares the experiences of pioneer Black lawyers and judges from Florida in the short film Love+ Law =Legacy.
One of this year’s featured documentary, “I’m So Glad: Kansas City and the Roots of Black Gospel Music,” includes a moving tribute to Nora Holt, a Harlem Renaissance icon and the first African American woman to earn a master’s degree in music. The film underscores FILMteenth commitment to preserving history and elevating the untold stories of Black excellence.
FILMteenth has the honor of hosting the world premiere of “Someone Loves You”, a heart-warming story about family and the challenges of home health care.
FILMteenth welcomes filmmakers, students, educators, technologists, and film lovers of all backgrounds to attend.
Tickets go on sale on June 2nd, 2025, via the festival website filmteenth.org and at the Green Light Cinema box office – greenlightstpete.com.
About FILMTEENTH
FILMteenth is the National Juneteenth Film Festival, an annual celebration of storytelling that honors the global contributions of people of color through film, art, performance, and technology. Held on the Juneteenth holiday, the festival champions diversity, education, and cultural advancement while creating opportunities for emerging voices and future innovators.
The Juneteenth- Fourth Annual FILMteenth Film Festival in St. Petersburg, FL June 20-21.
National Juneteenth – FILMteenth Film Festival Showcases Black Excellence in Film, Performing Arts, and Technology
Tampa, FL —The Green Light Cinema in St. Petersburg, Fl., will host the Fourth Annual FILMteenth Film Festival, a powerful national celebration of storytelling, heritage, and innovation on June 20-21, 2025. Now recognized as a growing cultural Juneteenth destination, the festival will spotlight diverse films from around the globe while honoring the creative and technological contributions of people of color.
Founded by filmmaker and producer Will Gorham, FILMteenth is more than an independent film screening event—it is a movement to celebrate Black history, community, achievement and inspire opportunities in media, arts, and technology. It began as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) fundraising and networking event led by Vector Scholar, a 501(c)3 nonprofit supporting underserved youth in technology.
“FILMteenth is a tribute to the spirit of Juneteenth—freedom, creativity, and progress,” says Gorham. “It’s a space for global storytellers to elevate voices that have long been marginalized.”
Highlights of the Fourth Annual FILMteenth include:
- A curated selection of international films by diverse and emerging filmmakers
- Recognition and cash prizes for outstanding film projects
- A signature awards garden party honoring creators and change-makers
Several Florida filmmakers are showcased this year, including an enlightening film which shares the experiences of pioneer Black lawyers and judges from Florida in the short film Love+ Law =Legacy.
One of this year’s featured documentary, “I’m So Glad: Kansas City and the Roots of Black Gospel Music,” includes a moving tribute to Nora Holt, a Harlem Renaissance icon and the first African American woman to earn a master’s degree in music. The film underscores FILMteenth commitment to preserving history and elevating the untold stories of Black excellence.
FILMteenth has the honor of hosting the world premiere of “Someone Loves You”, a heart-warming story about family and the challenges of home health care.
FILMteenth welcomes filmmakers, students, educators, technologists, and film lovers of all backgrounds to attend.
Tickets go on sale on June 2nd, 2025, via the festival website filmteenth.org and at the Green Light Cinema box office – greenlightstpete.com.
About FILMTEENTH
FILMteenth is the National Juneteenth Film Festival, an annual celebration of storytelling that honors the global contributions of people of color through film, art, performance, and technology. Held on the Juneteenth holiday, the festival champions diversity, education, and cultural advancement while creating opportunities for emerging voices and future innovators.
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