Praise House combines elements of theater, dance and music based on the rhythms and rituals of Africa. Julie Dash collaborated with Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, founder and choreographer of Urban Bush Women, to explore the source of creativity and its effect on three generations of African American women.

From her innovative short works to her critically acclaimed feature debut, Daughters of the Dust, the films of Julie Dash have broken new cinematic ground and redefined African American women's images on screen. In The Cinematic Jazz of Julie Dash, Dash talks about her background, development and approach to movie making as well as the struggles, victories and interdependence of African American women filmmakers.

Dr. Katrina Bell McDonald, Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, will moderate the post-screening discussion.

The Pratt Library's African American film series is sponsored by the Juanita C. Burns Memorial Foundation.