Acclaimed actor Billy Dee Williams will be among the special guests at the 7th Annual Roxbury Film Festival (RFF-7), the largest festival in New England dedicated to showcasing films celebrating people of color. Held August 17-21, the festival will be presented by ACT Roxbury and The Color of Film Collaborative.

Recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, RFF-7 is going national while maintaining its local roots.

This year celebrates the opening of the newly renovated Roxbury Center for The Arts at Hibernian Hall in Dudley Square, which will host the opening reception of the film festival. RFF-7 showcases feature length films, documentaries and short films by filmmakers of color. Other special guests include actor Jamie Hector (HBO’s “The Wire”), actor/comedian Miguel Nunez (JUWANNA MANN) and director Jordan Walker-Pearlman.

RFF will feature two acting workshops, Preparation Is Key led by Jamie Hector with Talent Manager Ally Robertson, and The Spirited Actor: Principles for a Successful Audition, led by acting coach, casting agent, writer and director Tracey Moore-Marable. A special highlight will be A Conversation with Billy Dee Williams moderated by Liz Walker (award-winning journalist/host of Sunday with Liz Walker on CBS4).

There will also be additional discussions with industry professionals, Q & A with filmmakers after most screenings, networking opportunities for filmmakers, and two panels, Get Up/Stand Up (about film audience activism) and another, Realizing Your Dream: Bringing Your Film to the Silver Screen with directors Jordan Walker- Pearlman, Robert Patton-Spruill and others.

Films will be screened at: Northeastern University’s Blackman Auditorium and Raytheon Amphitheater; Roxbury Center for The Arts at Hibernian Hall; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and Tower Auditorium, Massachusetts College of Art.

There will be a Private Opening Reception and Film at Roxbury Center for The Arts at Hibernian Hall, Roxbury, MA August 17. Special guests: Billy Dee Williams and director, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, Screening:

THE VISIT. RFF is also proud to announce screenings of FAVELA RISING, BEAT THE DRUM, CONSTELLATION,AND RUNT, four feature films that have each received notable honors from some of the year’s most prominent festivals.

The opening Night Film CONSTELLATION, will screen at The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston on August 18. The Boston premiere is directed by Jordan Walker- Pearlman, starring Billy Dee Williams. Closing Awards Ceremony is August 21st and reservations are recommended.

Screenings include feature length films, documentaries, short films, and animation from a wealth of talented national and local filmmakers.Visit the Roxbury Film Festival website (www.roxburyfilmfestival.org) for details.

Tickets are currently on sale.Ticketing info is available at www.roxburyfilmfestival.org and/or the info-line at 617-541-3900 ext. 2327.

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