Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere

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The Flying Ace (1926) is a silent film made in Jacksonville, FL and inspired by the life of stunt pilot Bessie Coleman. Barbara Wingo of Norman Studios will introduce the film and presentation. The screening will be followed by a brief question and answer period.

About Norman Studios:

Founded in 1916 as Eagle Film City and purchased by Richard E. Norman in the 1920s, Norman Studios was among the nation’s first to produce “race films” starring African American characters in positive, non-stereotypical roles. Norman’s five-building complex, now a National Historic Landmark, survives in Jacksonville’s Old Arlington neighborhood. The mission of our 501(c)3 organization is to preserve, present and promote the history of silent motion pictures and race films through the reunification and restoration of the Norman Studios complex as a museum, education, film, and community center. Learn more at normanstudios.org.

Sponsored by the George A. Smathers Libraries, and funding provided by the James S. Haskins Endowment. Co-sponsors include Norman Studios and Black Films Matter.

To request help participating in our events, please contact Stephanie Birch at stephanie.birch@ufl.edu or Twanna Hodge at twanna.hodge@ufl.edu. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.