2025 Roxbury Film Festival: Short Film Reviews
The 2025 Roxbury International Film Festival , which runs June 19 – 27, was live and in motion at Hibernian Hall in Boston, MA, near Nubian Square on Sunday June 22, 2025. There were four films that were being screened this evening. Each film had a potent message to it about staying hopeful, surviving traumatic times, and community impact.
“The Last Dance” – Directed by Hayden Mclean (United Kingdom, 2024, 16:39 mins)
This film was about how a community can strengthen their bonds by coming together during difficult times. It was hard to imagine that the place where they felt peace, love, and joy was going to be purchased, forcing everybody out. But at the end, they banned together, found a way to pull through and keep the business open.
“El Colmadon” – Directed by Michael Omar Bueno (USA, Dominican Republic, 2024, 30:00 mins)
This documentary was special and a lot more personal to the director Michael. Bodegas are so much more than what they are perceived to be. After watching this film, I learned that bodegas are foundational elements to Dominican culture. It’s the place where people can destress, hang out and play dominoes, or just have great conversations. Bodegas are really family-oriented so it’s shared amongst families and it gives a family vibe. From personal experience, every bodega I’ve visited in Boston are exactly like this. No bad vibes, just good music and good conversations.
“Four Women of Gulu Town” – Directed by Pauline Greenlick & Will Zavala (USA, Uganda, 2024, 52:43 mins)
This film was one of the more serious ones at Roxbury Film Festival and it touched on everything like surviving, bonding, having hope, showing strength, bravery, and determination. During the 30-year Lord Resistance Army (LRA) war led by the infamous Joseph Kony, four Ugandan women endured horrific physical trauma and gender violence. Because of their resilience, their strength, and their bravery, they were able to survive to tell their remarkable story.
“Poetry Is Not A Luxury” – Directed by Lorenzo Bradford (USA, 2023, 9:45 mins)
This last short film was special. Being a Bostonian, born and raised, it feels good to see your neighborhood and important landmarks being represented. Frugal Bookstore moved from Washington Park Mall to the heart of Nubian Square. This bookstore is one of two Black-owned bookstores and it’s great to see the support it’s receiving. If you haven’t, stop by Frugal Bookstore in Nubian Square and support your Black-owned businesses. Visit them online at frugalbookstore.net.
To find out more about the festival that offers year round programming or film enthusiasts, check out roxfilmfest.com.
