The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment announced Thursday that its original production “Straight Crankin’ A Go-Go Documentary” has been selected for the DC Black Film Festival in the Documentary Films category.
This is the second major film festival for which “Straight Crankin’ A Go-Go Documentary” has been selected (the documentary was recently selected for the BronzeLens Film Festival of Atlanta, Georgia) and marks the first time the government of the District of Columbia has had an original production selected for multiple film festivals. The cable TV office also won its first Emmy Award in 2018 and also received a second Emmy nomination this year.
“There are so many amazing stories to tell about the history and culture of local DC, of Chocolate City, and of the many Washingtonians who helped build the vibrant, diverse and inclusive city we live in today,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “As a fifth generation Washingtonian, I am proud to celebrate the joy and impact of a uniquely DC genre of music. Now, ‘Straight Crankin’ will help us spread the joy of Go-Go nationwide.”
The educational journey chronicles the birth, evolution and impact of Go-Go Music, the bands, their styles, its history and global impact over the past 40 years. As told through interviews with some of the genre’s top bands, musicians, promoters, managers, executives and industry pioneers, Straight Crankin’ features historical interviews and performances of Chuck Brown–the godfather of Go-Go, as well as Rare Essence, Experience Unlimited, Backyard Band, Junk Yard Band, Trouble Funk, Be’la Dona, TCB, and many more.
“We are proud to tell the story of Go-Go from an inside perspective with “Straight Crankin’ A Go-Go Documentary.” This project was developed to honor and highlight the history of the Go-Go community, and I thank Mayor Muriel Bowser for her continued support of the creative community in the District of Columbia,” said Angie Gates, OCTFME Director and Executive Producer of the documentary. “We are proud to make history and to be selected for the DC Black Film Festival. We will continue to produce and capture DC’s history through film and television.”
The DC Black Film Festival, which will be presented Aug. 15– 17 at the Miracle Theatre and Mayflower Hotel in northwest DC, is dedicated to exhibiting quality film, web series and television content by and about people of African descent.