Celebrated for 155 years before its adoption as a federal holiday in the United States, Juneteenth is the longest-running African American holiday. The first events took place in Texas churches, marking the first anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment, and the celebration spread quickly across the South with the help of Freedmen's Bureaus. While celebrations became muted and more sporadic through the Jim Crow era, Civil Rights activists led many efforts to revitalize the celebration in the 1960s, leading to a Juneteenth renaissance in Black communities in the 1980s and 1990s.
In recent years, more people have come to celebrate the ratification of the 13th Amendment. The celebrations have reshaped themselves, too, reaching out before and beyond the end of the Civil War in scope and subject. In many ways, Juneteenth is another chance to address Black history and artistry outside of Black History Month. These topics have only become more important as white-supremacist ideals fuel the destruction of diversity initiatives in the museums and libraries maintained by our federal government. Holding Juneteenth events or creating programming for the holiday are easy ways to push back against the dissolution of necessary federal policy and show solidarity with marginalized people.
From their first celebrations in Texas to today, Juneteenth has also been a wonderful excuse to throw parties and barbecues. A full day’s events often includes sports games, music, and talks. As focal points of the community, public libraries especially should consider programming and events for the 19th of June. Film series and film showings can be a popular choice, especially if you choose some of the following films.
Get Out
Jordan Peele’s 2017 directorial debut has been a frequent subject of listicles since it’s release, and for good reason. It's an outstanding example of using horror to explore the social realities of our times. This film has a popular draw that will get butts in seats across generational and racial lines.
Read our full Get Out review here.
Buy a copy of Get Out on DVD here.
Glue Trap
Released in 2023, Glue Trap is an underwatched psycho-drama, and one of my favorite films of the past decade. Well written (yet not over-written), impeccably shot using creative staging and brilliant color, and hauntingly touching in its final twist, this movie uses some horror elements to get its point across: Sometimes, all politeness does is invite a wolf into the flock. Consider using Glue Trap in a double feature with Get Out for their similar themes.
Read our full Glue Trap review here.
Buy a copy of Glue Trap on DVD here.
Wonderphil Entertainment
The SixTripleEight Race Documentary
The SixTripleEight
Not to be confused with the 2024 Netflix release of a similar name, The SixTripleEight is a 2019 documentary that interviews the surviving members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the US army. Just as valuably, it collects past interviews, aggregating them into a definitive source of information on this unique all black, all woman army corps that brought the USPS motto to the shores of England and France during WWII. As a monument to the advancing rights of African Americans, The SixTripleEight has a place in any Juneteenth film programming.
Read our full The SixTripleEight review here.
Stream The SixTripleEight on Prime Video here.
The Forgotten Occupation: Jim Crow Goes to Haiti
Good Docs
Legacies of hatred and slavery didn’t disappear with the 13th amendment, and neither were they contained at home. Haitian-American filmmaker Alain Martin looks into one aspect of America’s Jim Crow history outside of the United States. For those looking for interesting documentaries on black history and racism, The Forgotten Occupation (2023) would be an excellent choice. Consider it for Juneteenth film series.
Read our full The Forgotten Occupation review here.
The Forgotten Occupation is available to license here.
Video Project
I, Too
Looking to connect the threads between the past and current events, Carol Anderson, Professor of African American Studies at Emory University and author of White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, looks at the reconstruction era on the sites of significant freedman communities, most of which have been scoured from the earth by violence. This 2022 documentary is incredibly topical, both for Juneteenth and considering current events. Consider it most highly for your Juneteenth programming.
Read our full I,Too review here.
I, Too is available to license here.
12 Years a Slave
This 2013 blockbuster follows Solomon Northup, a free black man living in New York. He is kidnapped by slave catchers and sold into slavery, where he endures harsh treatment and struggles to maintain his dignity, and his life. Based on the narrative told to writer David Wilson in 1853, this film is a perfect choice for a Juneteenth late night showing. Solomon’s story, while graphic and horrifying, can help to highlight the reason and jubilation behind the holiday. Beyond that, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s performance is outstanding, and 12 Years a Slave remains frequently listen among the best movies of all time, creating a popular draw.
Read our full 12 Years a Slave review here.
Buy a copy of 12 Years a Slave on DVD here.
Moonlight
Other titles on this list have touched on the intersections of gender and race. 2016’s Moonlight touches on the intersection of sexuality and race. This coming-of-age romantic drama wasn’t incredibly popular at the box-office, yet after its Oscar win, it’s enduring value has only grown. Tackling the unique issues face by many black gay men, Moonlight is an excellent tie-in from LGBTQ+ programming for pride month. As a valuable piece of black artistry in film, Moonlight would make a great choice for Juneteenth programming.
Read our full Moonlight review here.
Buy a copy of Moonlight on DVD here.
Worried about missing opportunities because your collection is missing some of these films? You may have more in your collection than you think. Both Kanopy and PBS have many series discussing or relating to Juneteenth. Consider highlighting these digital collections in your library newsletter or signage, especially for those seeking documentaries in June.
Interesting in hosting a film screening? Check out Video Librarian's How to Show Movies in Public.