The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and Reel Sisters are presenting an evening of notable award-winning and family-centered short films on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 7 pm, in honor of Women's History Month. This collection represents uplifting characters who keep their families intact through life challenges, with films ranging from the highly acclaimed "Superman Doesn't Steal" directed by Tamika Lamison to Reel Sisters' 2025 Oscar-qualifying short "Shallow End" directed by Maria de la Cruz Rudloff.
The importance of this event lies in its celebration of diverse women's narratives during a month dedicated to recognizing women's contributions. By showcasing films exclusively by and about women, particularly women of color, the program amplifies voices that have historically been underrepresented in cinema. The films address universal themes of family, resilience, and personal struggle, making them relevant to broad audiences while specifically honoring women's experiences.
In "Shallow End," twenty-something Agatha must piece together her life following a lengthy stay in rehab, while a married couple in "Laundry" faces the circumstances surrounding their six-year-old son's terrible accident. "Superman Doesn't Steal," set in the 1970s during the Atlanta child murders, is a coming-of-age story seen through the eyes of nine-year-old Harriet and her brother whose fascination with superheroes connects audiences with familiar experiences. Other films include "Musica Quarantena," an animated short about a little girl inspiring a town in lockdown to make music; "Gloria," featuring a Chinese woman in her 70s finding purpose by teaching herself Spanish while overcoming memory issues; and "The Knife," which follows a young Black Irish woman confronting unexpected pregnancy complications.
The implications of this showcase extend beyond entertainment, as it supports the mission of Reel Sisters, the first Oscar-qualifying film festival in the nation devoted to women of color. Presented by African Voices, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to fostering cultural understanding through art, literature and film, Reel Sisters has showcased over 10,000 films by women of African, Asian, Native American, Indian, Latina and Arabic descent since its founding in 1997. This event at BAM, which attracts more than 750,000 people annually to its Brooklyn campus, provides significant exposure for these filmmakers and their stories.
Tickets are available at https://www.bam.org for $17, with discounts for BAM and Reel Sisters members. Additional information about the film program can be found at https://www.bam.org/film/2026/reel-sisters. For more information about Reel Sisters, visit https://www.reelsisters.org.
