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Join UATL, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution’s Black Culture team, and a who's-who of invited guests as we celebrate the 18th anniversary of the cult-classic 2006 film ATL. This special event will take place at Plaza Theatre in Midtown Atlanta, and invites all ATLiens who love Black culture to come together and enjoy an unforgettable movie experience.
The screening will be immediately followed by a live conversation with producer Dallas Austin and others who helped bring the film to the big screen. Plus, there will be time for your questions.
“ATL” is loosely based on the experiences of the film's producers Dallas Austin and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, growing up in Atlanta, Georgia. The film, which heavily incorporates Atlanta’s famed roller skating culture, is a coming-of-age tale about a young man from Mechanicsville named Rashad (played by T.I.), his love interest “New New” (Lauren London) and their friends, all learning to navigate high school and lessons of oncoming adulthood.
Like few other films before and after it was released, ATL captured the culture of Atlanta with an amazing cast, beloved Atlanta landmarks, and an unforgettable story. Let’s celebrate ATL – the movie, the city and the culture – together!
No matter what he does, GRAMMY® Award-winning producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, entrepreneur, DJ, philanthropist, and film producer Dallas Austin always tells a story. His ability to place audiences inside of an everlasting moment cemented him as one of the most-celebrated creatives of the past two decades with over 50 Billboard Hot 100 smashes and 17 Top Tens to his credit and a multitude of awards.
Not only does he stand out as a 2019 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, but he has also been honored by Urban League of Atlanta at the “Equal Opportunity Day Dinner,” the 2018 Black Music Honors, The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) during the Annual Heroes Awards, and by the Georgia Music Hall of Fame as a 2006 inductee and 2011’s “Most Influential.” Additionally, he garnered a coveted GRAMMY® Award in the category of “Best R&B Album” and the “Beacon Award” from the Independent Media Artists of Georgia, Etc. (IMAGE). Austin will receive the Trailblazer in the Arts Award at the 2019 NBAF (National Black Arts Festival) Gala – Imagine Afrofuturism: A Celebration of Art through Technology.
Mike Jordan is a senior editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, leading the Black culture team. He is well-known in the Atlanta community and beyond for his roles that have continuously touched Atlanta’s Black culture for many years. He’s served as a writer, editor and leader for varied publications.
Najja Parker is a multimedia journalist covering Black culture and entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is also an engaging on-air talent, who has served as a host and correspondent for the newsroom’s events and special projects, including “ATL Closeup,” a things-to-do video series featuring local influencers. She has written for national publications, including Ebony Magazine, Jet Magazine, HuffPost and TheGrio. The Memphis native earned her bachelor’s degrees in English and theater from Spelman College and her master’s degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago.
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