Pasadena Filmmakers Take the Story of Michael Zinzun to the South Africa International Film Festival

Following winning the Jeff Adachi Social Justice Award for Best Documentary last month at the San Francisco Black Film Festival, Pasadena filmmakers are set to screen Zinzun: A Revolutionary Activist at the Durban International Film Festival Friday morning at 7 am local time.

Before Rodney King, before George Floyd, Michael Zinzun was beaten to the point of being blinded in one eye.  His fight against police oppression fueled Zinzun to travel the world as an activist, not just against police abuse, but against human abuse as he was in Haiti during their unrest in 2005, just a year before he passed away in his sleep. Michael Zinzun opened his home to the public at 11 a.m. every day so people could come, talk, read or meet with other like-minded people to bring about social justice change. “Zinzun: A Revolutionary” is a documentary film that heralds the grassroots warrior to effect change in Pasadena and the world as he used local media to decry injustice.  

After the screening, a panel discussion will be convened to center the discussion around ‘The Power of Cinema to Create Social Justice Change.’

“The San Francisco Black Film Festival has a legacy of cultivating understanding, tourism, and new careers for emerging filmmakers, actors, and technical artists along with being a platform for established industry giants like our dear friend San Francisco native, actor, producer, and humanitarian Danny Glover,” said Cree Ray, San Francisco Black Film Festival Executive Director. “I am fortunate that this legacy started with my family; but it is upheld by our many friends, sponsors and talented people like Dennis Haywood and James Farr, who we are able to highlight at the Durban International Film Festival.  

“Our team is so proud to be a part of this San Francisco Film Festival family legacy that is making a difference worldwide,” said Dennis Haywood, director, producer and writer of “Zinzun: A Revolutionary” and founder & executive director of the Pasadena African American Film Foundation.   

“To receive the SFBFF Jeff Adachi Social Justice Award is an honor that is aligned with the spirit of the man, Michael Zinzun, who had an impact in Pasadena and in Africa as well, said James Farr, Filmmaker award-winning journalist, producer, and film documentarian and co-creator of Black August Film Festival.

The late former San Francisco Public Defender. Adachi rose in prominence to be one of the most effective and influential public defender offices in the US, with an unparalleled record in and outside the courtroom.

Adachi was a visionary advocate of the people, both as an accomplished attorney and an award-winning documentary filmmaker. He often compared shooting a film to preparing for trial, and frequently found a way to merge both of those talents into compelling stories for the public, as well as the justice system.Adachi’s leadership that the San Francisco Public Defender rose in prominence to be one of the most effective and influential public defender offices in the US, with an unparalleled record in and outside the courtroom.

Adachi had a vision of a world where everyone is given a fair trial, children from disadvantaged neighborhoods have the same opportunities as those from affluent ones, a person’s mistakes don’t set a permanent road map for the rest of their life, and police and authorities are held accountable.

In its 43rd year, the Durban International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious international film festivals. hosted on the continent of Africa. Touted as, “a unique phenomenon on the African cultural calendar.” According to the DIFF website. 

The Durban International Film Festival Panel:  The Power of Cinema to Create Social Justice Change was scheduled for  Friday, July 29,  at 7 a.m.,  featuring San Francisco Black Film Festival Jeff Adachi Social Justice Award Winner: Zinzun: A Revolutionary.

Watch Live via Facebook or YouTube