Following Harry is an intimate documentary that chronicles the last twelve years of legendary Harry Belafonte’s life, highlighting the artist-activist’s enduring commitment to social justice. It is the follow-up to Sing Your Song, which we screened at the Arts Arena several years ago, about Harry Belafonte’s earlier life as an artist and activist; that film received awards around the world, was shortlisted for an Oscar, and garnered the NAACP Image Award and a Gracie for Outstanding Director.
Fueled by Belafonte’s tremendous sense of urgency to inspire the next generation of entertainers and activists to stand for justice, Following Harry provides a window into both his public endeavors and private moments, capturing his journey from the aftermath of the death of Trayvon Martin, to his engagements in the protests in Ferguson, the Women’s March, to the deeply and profound conversations in his home. The film ultimately amplifies Belafonte’s belief that “each generation must be responsible for itself. All I can do is leave behind the crumbs of my experience. I have a trail that you can follow, if you find value in it, pick it up and if you don’t, bring something better.”
Producer/Director Susanne Rostock’s filmmaking is a stunning 40 years of some of the most compelling documentaries of each decade. Most recently, she is known for her two documentaries about activist and artist Harry Belafonte, Following Harry (2024) and Sing Your Song (2011). The first film was chosen to open the U.S. Documentary Competition section of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, where it was described as a story “told with a remarkable sense of intimacy, visual style and musical panache.” The film continues to be in worldwide theatrical distribution and television broadcast and has aired on HBO; it received top honors in festivals around the world, was shortlisted for an Oscar, and garnered the NAACP Image Award and a Gracie for Outstanding Director. In Following Harry, Rostock continues to convey truth and justice to her audience through editing, directing, and producing.
Producer Frankie Nasso is an award-winning director and producer with over 1 billion views on YouTube for his work with artists including Andrea Bocelli, Beyoncé, Ice-T, Lil Wayne, and RZA. He has directed Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actors, and his films have earned recognition at the top film festivals including Berlinale, Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca, and Venice. Frankie was selected as 2nd Unit Director and Co-Producer for the documentary Sing Your Song.
Producer Edward Zeng is an entrepreneur, venture investor, and private equity fund manager based in Silicon Valley and globally. The World Economic Forum selected him as a “Global Leader of Tomorrow.” He has been profiled by Forbes, Time Magazine, Red Herring, and the South China Morning Post.
For the 19th time, the Arts Arena presents UNAFF and its Traveling Film Festival (TFF) with a curated series of documentary films. Founded in 1998, by longtime Stanford University educator and film critic Jasmina Bojic, UNAFF has screened documentaries dealing with human rights, the environment, women’s issues, children, refugee protection, homelessness, racism, disease control, universal education, war and peace. Many selections have gone on to win Oscars and other major awards.
Reservations are required.