The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will present its first-ever “Triumph Film Festival” during the Center’s 5th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, October 10^th from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The festival will feature films focusing on the “triumph of the human spirit.” From nationally acclaimed films and special guests Nick Clooney and Kathy Wade — to children’s activities throughout the day — the “Triumph Film Festival” will have something for Freedom Center-goers of all ages.

Doors will open at 9:30 with the first screening at 10:00 a.m. in the Harriet Tubman Theater featuring an intriguing hour-long documentary entitled, “Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think”. This Unity Productions Foundation film is showing for only the second time since its premier in Washington D.C. earlier this year. Executive Producer Michael Wolfe will introduce this educational film.  At 12:30 p.m. the Turner Network Television movie “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story,” will be shown with a video-taped introduction by Ben Carson himself, the neurosurgeon portrayed in the film. At 2:30 the Film Festival will conclude with special guest Nick Clooney hosting a screening of “Cabin in the Sky,” a landmark 1943 MGM musical with an all-Black cast. Clooney will lead a discussion of the film upon its conclusion.

The day will also feature children’s activities with Madcap Theatre puppets in addition to Kathy Wade hosting an interactive viewing and craft project focused on “Heaven’s All-Star Band”, part of her Books Alive! For Kids children’s programming series.

Admission to the film festival is free with the purchase of a general admission ticket ($9 adult; $7 senior/student; $6 child; $18 family of 4 value price) and as always, members of the Freedom Center enjoy free admission.

These day time activities will lead into the formal evening celebration of the Freedom Center’s 5^th Anniversary beginning at 6:00 p.m. where esteemed guests Bob Castellini, Nick Clooney and Susan Taylor will be honored as “Every Day Freedom Heroes” for their commitment to community engagement, human rights and social justice. Following the awards ceremony guests will enjoy a fun filled evening including dinner “by-the-bite”, music and a silent auction.

“The events planned for October 10 are a celebration of the fact that, as we mark our fifth anniversary, the Freedom Center stands as a living, growing monument to freedom, equality and the triumph of the human spirit,” said Freedom Center CEO Donald Murphy.

Admission to the formal celebration event beginning at 6:00 p.m. is $75; because space is limited, please call by September 25 to reserve a ticket. 1-888-778-7321. Admission tickets can be purchased online through the Freedom Center Gift Shop at: https://freedomcenter.org/shop/