Spotlight on Cayuga Film Festival
and Lagueria Davis
Cayuga County holds a rich history and strong ties to influential figures who have shaped our world and driven change in human, civil and women’s rights. Harriet Tubman is one of these individuals, and visitors can explore historical sites throughout the county and walk the grounds she once did to truly get acquainted with her legacy.
But there’s one more way to observe homage paid to Ms. Tubman in her chosen hometown – and that’s during the annual Cayuga Film Festival, sponsored by Tour Cayuga.
The festival is dedicated to showcasing independent films and providing a platform for filmmakers and their work; the curated films are meant to inspire, challenge and entertain viewers.
Harriet Tubman Freedom Award
During the festival, the Harriet Tubman Freedom Award is given to an industry professional who uses their artistic and storytelling talents to create meaningful and thought-provoking work. Previous award recipients include activist filmmaker, Ry Ferro, and Emmy Award-winning producer and co-creator the Netflix documentary series Amend, Robe Imbriano.
This year, the Harriet Tubman Freedom Award will be received by film director, writer and producer, Lagueria Davis, in celebration of her work, Black Barbie: A Documentary. The film illuminates the impact of three Black women at powerhouse toy company Mattel, and how their efforts led to important cultural changes in our world. Viewers will learn the story behind the first Black Barbie’s conception and the importance of racial and cultural representation.
The documentary received favorable praise at previous film festivals, was acquired by trailblazing show runner Shonda Rhimes’ production company, Shondaland, and premiered on Netflix in September 2023.
And during this year’s Cayuga Film Festival, attendees can view a screening of the documentary and hear from Lagueria Davis herself:
- Friday, November 8 at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Public Theatre: Premiere screening of Black Barbie: A Documentary, followed by a Q&A with Lagueria Davis
- Saturday, November 9 at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Public Theatre: Second screening of Black Barbie: A Documentary
Learn More and View full Weekend Itinerary
The film festival is free to attend. Visit the Cayuga Film Festival website to learn more about the experience and view the weekend itinerary.
