2nd Annual Listening Room Film Festival Debuts Kenny Neal Documentary "American Bluesman"

BATON ROUGE, La. - Dec. 8, 2023 - PRLog -- The 2nd Annual Listening Room Film Festival will debut Kenny Neal's "American Bluesman." The documentary by Baton Rouge's Grammy nominated blues artist discusses his life, career and family  and followed by a Q&A with Kenny and Josi Neal and members of the Neal Family. The free screening, on Saturday, December 16 at 6:15pm, is at the River Center Library.

Opening at 2:00pm 'Films to Make You Think,' award winners include James Lyndon Hogg's short "The Night of Prayers," about tje Cuban Revolution and Bryan Thompson and Humberto Castro's feature "El Sueno," about two orphaned immigrant children struggling to get citizenship. 'Mystery, Mayhem and Music' award-winners are the supernatural short "Mirrorty" and "Séance Games-Mexatu," a horror/thriller that will be followed by a Q&A with producer and director Tane McClure and executive producer Nisha Catron.

Outside performances at 3:00pm are Flex3r, Linda Mckenzie and Steve Upfold (Nashville), Louisiana Claude, Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor, Jessi Campo (Miami), comedian Eddie Cool" Deemer, Princess Teha, Pastor Leon Hitchens and Neebee Soul.

The festival opened on Friday, December 8. The remaining dates Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room are Friday, December 15 and Sunday, December 17. For the schedule and tickets please visit https://www.htjmuseum.org or call 225-802-9681.

December 15 beginning at 3:00pm is Christopher J. Stelly, Executive Group Director of Louisiana Entertainment, a Division of LED  presenting 'Making Films with Louisiana Tax Credits,' followed by 'Fantasy and Animation' shorts and music videos with Q&A by David Davis and Nick Savides. Panels include 'Social Issues: Racism, Violence, Drugs and Faith' and 'The A.I. Movement,' with Jessi Campo, Henry Turner Jr., Flex3R, Ken Bloxson, Linda Mckenzie, VHS Celebs Believe and Sixtyhertz, followed by Devine Intervention: We Collide with a Q&A. Performers include VHS Celebs (Atlanta), Linda Mckenzie (Nashville), Sir AP and Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and The Listening Room All-Stars.

Closing day, December 17 at 3pm is music videos of  'Listening Room and Festival Alumna.' Panel topic is 'Marriage, Romance, Heartbreak and Abuse - Women's Issues' with shorts and music videos. Panelists include Gisele Haralson, Rita Rushing Jones, Michele Barnes, Theresa Perkins, Thea Arnold and Janna Bossier. 'Music and the Club Scene' includes Baton Rouge debuts of award winning shorts "Baby" and "Swing 46: The Last Swingin' Supper Club" and "Erie Planet Live." Musical performances include Nisha Catron (San Diego) with a 'Dancing the Night Away' music video block.

Sponsors are Louisiana Department of Economic Development and its Office of Entertainment Development Department, Visit Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Public Libraries, Louisiana Lottery and Henry Turner Jr.'s Listening Room Museum Foundation.