Parity Pipeline

Parity Pipeline

The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music

Directed by Julya Jara

In the setting of the historic Carver Community Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas, an aunt and her niece explore the history of African American music.

  • ABOUT
  • BIO
  • SCREENINGS
  • AWARDS
  • CREDITS
  • GALLERY

Genre

Synopsis

Aunt Cynthia, a music history buff, helps her niece Lauren learn about the music genres that were born and formed by African American history and culture. They cover a wide breadth, all the way from the times of slavery, to Negro Spirituals, Blues, Ragtime, Jazz, the Harlem Renaissance, Gospel, the Civil Rights movement, Soul and R&B, and Hip Hop. Cynthia works to inspire Lauren’s curiosity about these periods of history by continuously making it relevant to the music and uses the layers of a quilt to explain how music of the past connects to the contemporary music that Lauren is most familiar with. By the end of the film, Lauren feels more empowered by the generational connections of music and culture she has learned.

Bio

JULYA JARA is a filmmaker based in Austin, Texas. She directed, edited, and produced “The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music.” The film received Best Documentary Feature awards at Queens Underground International Film Festival, Atlanta Children’s Film Festival (ACFF), San Diego International Kids Film Festival (SDIKFF) and Urban Mediamakers Film festival (UMFF); Audience Choice Award at San Antonio Black International Film Festival (SABIFF); Documentary Feature Film - 2nd Prize (Children’s Jury Awards) at FACET’s 40th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF).

Screening History

Queens Underground International Film Festival 2023

Chicago International Children's Film Festival 2023

International Black Film Festival 2023

Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival 2023

Saint Louis International Film Festival 2023

Awards History

Atlanta Children’s Film Festival 2023 - Best Documentary Feature

San Antonio Black Film Festival 2023 - Audience Choice Award

Chicago International Children’s Film Festival 2023 - 2nd Prize Documentary Feature Film

Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival 2023 - Semifinalist

Credits

Singer - Michael Sumuel

Singer - Veronica Williams

Pianist - Arlington Jones