Thomas Allen Harris Jr (Tahj): Photo Courtesy of Davi Campana/R2Foto/Festival do Rio/Flickr
Renowned filmmaker and artist Thomas Allen Harris, raised in The Bronx and Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, is being honored with a week-long event, A Return: Reflections, Place & Diaspora, at the Scribe Video Center in Philadelphia. His roots in The Bronx connect Bronxites to him and a legacy of storytelling and cultural expression that has shaped his groundbreaking work, fostering a deep appreciation for his contributions to film and media.
Event Details
Dates: February 17–24, 2025
Time:Â Various screenings and exhibitions throughout the week
Location:Â Scribe Video Center, 3908 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
A Queer Black Body: Thomas Allen Harris-Key Art Courtesy of Gallery at Scribe
What to Expect
This week-long celebration honors Harris’s 30+ years of documenting Black cinematic narratives through film, archives, and storytelling. The event includes screenings of his early experimental works, feature documentaries, and a pop-up exhibition curated by Darah Gaines Martin.
Key Screenings & Exhibitions:
Pop-Up Exhibition (Feb 17-24): Tahj’s video archive will be open to the public starting Monday, February 17th until February 24th. All attendees will be given the option to engage with the material through written and/or visual response modules for the course of the exhibition.
Vintage: Families of Value (1995):Â A documentary exploring the lives of Black lesbian and gay siblings, featuring intimate perspectives on family, identity, and self-expression.
Family Pictures USA: A curated experience featuring rare footage from Harris’s 1980s-90s archive, delving into themes of Black queer identity, community, and personal storytelling.
Experimental Films from the 1990s Archive:Â A showcase of short films, including Splash (1991), A Dance in the Country (1992), Black Body in Brazil (1995), and more.
A Conversation with Essex Hemphill (1991):Â A rare dialogue featuring the acclaimed poet and activist, captured by Harris during the OutWrite Gay and Lesbian Conference.
Two-Night Screening (Feb 20 & 21, 7 PM):Â The two-night screening will take place on Thursday, February 20th, and Friday, February 21st at 7 PM. Director Thomas Allen Harris will be joined by Cass Arrington, Darah Gaines Martin, and Donald Perry for post-screening discussions on both nights. Conversations will be moderated by special guest programmer Denise A. Greene.
Thomas Allen Harris Jr (Tahj): Photo Courtesy of Montclair Film/Flickr
Who is Thomas Allen Harris?
Harris is an award-winning filmmaker known for his work in documentary storytelling, blending personal narratives with broader social themes. He is the founder and President of Chimpanzee Productions, a company dedicated to producing unique audio-visual experiences that illuminate the search for identity, family, and spirituality. Harris is also a Professor in the Practice of African American Studies and Film & Media Studies at Yale University, where he continues to educate and inspire the next generation of storytellers.
Why This Matters
Harris’s work has consistently pushed boundaries, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. This retrospective event provides a unique opportunity to engage with his powerful storytelling and reflect on the impact of his work over the past three decades.
For more details and to register for the event, visit the Scribe Video Center. You can follow Professor Harris on Instagram @thomas_allen_harris
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