Launch Night of the 2022 festival promises a mix of fresh insights into the film industry, input from guest speakers, short films, an overview of what’s in store during the festival and the screening of a main feature. Film is able to raise questions in a unique way and our launch-night film - the acclaimed Pariah (USA 2011) does just that. Dee Rees’ raw and powerful coming of age story follows a young African American woman coming to terms with both her sexuality, and a religious mother who cannot accept her daughter’s identity., This tragic, beautiful tale is brave and impeccably directed. Special guest Miles Chambers, Bristol’s first poet laureate, will introduce the film, share some readings and chair a discussion with Stroud’s Black Ark Media team who programmed Pariah.