SLIFF Beyond Borders
- ambale
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
34th Annual Film Festival highlights global experience, magnifies Black voices
By St. Louis American
The 34th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) returns November 6–16 with screenings across the region and an extremely relevant theme: “Film Without Borders.”
“At a time when division often dominates the global conversation, this year’s theme reminds us that storytelling is a universal language,” said Bree Maniscalco, executive director of Cinema St. Louis. “Film festivals like SLIFF create a space where differences are not barriers but bridges, connecting communities through shared humanity.”
That spirit of connection is especially present in SLIFF’s Race in America: The Black Experience sidebar, now in its 11th year. Originally launched to honor the life and legacy of Michael Brown, the program continues to spotlight African-American stories and storytellers—this year with expanded reach and deeper resonance.
SLIFF presenter Cinema St. Louis has partnered with the International Institute to present the “St. Louis Immigration Project,” a new film debuting Sunday, November 16. The project pairs local filmmakers with immigrant and refugee storytellers to share narratives of resilience, culture, and family.
