Sweet Freedom: Film Screening & Discussion

Movie poster for "Sweet Freedom." The central figure is a young Black woman in a white dress, smiling with confidence. Surrounding her are multiple characters, including men and women in period clothing, some appearing distressed or determined. The background features shadowy figures, including a man on horseback and another raising a rifle, set against a textured, sepia-toned backdrop. The title "Sweet Freedom" is displayed in elegant gold script at the bottom, with additional film credits below.

📅 Sunday, March 16, 2025
⏰ Doors open at 3:30 PM | Film begins at 4:00 PM
📍 Cook Memorial Theater
$10 for Members | $20 General Public (Seating is limited)

PURCHASE TICKETS

Parental Advisory (PG-13)

This film contains:
🔹 Violence – Physical altercations, gun threats, and a struggle involving blunt objects.
🔹 Language – Includes mild strong language and a historically contextual racial slur that is nearly spoken.
🔹 Thematic material – Depictions of the dangers faced by freedom seekers and abolitionists.

A digital graphic titled "Sweet Freedom Sponsors" displaying logos of various supporting organizations. The logos include the New Bedford Historical Society, Mass Cultural Council, The Shepherd Center, New Bedford Cultural Council, New Bedford Creative, Dartmouth Cultural Council, Freetown Cultural Council, Fairhaven Cultural Council, and the Fairhaven Improvement Association. The logos vary in design, incorporating text, icons, and illustrations.

📅 Sunday, March 16, 2025 ⏰ Doors open at 3:30 PM | Film begins at 4:00 PM

Join us for a special screening of Sweet Freedom, a compelling 28-minute historical drama set in 1839 New Bedford during the height of the Underground Railroad. The film follows Mary “Polly” Johnson, an Afro-Indigenous confectioner and station master, as she bravely protects those seeking freedom while facing the looming threat of slave hunters.

Inspired by true events, Sweet Freedom sheds light on Polly Johnson’s courageous contributions to the abolitionist movement—an unsung hero who aided countless freedom seekers, including Frederick Douglass. The film was created in collaboration with the Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe and the New Bedford Historical Society to ensure cultural and historical authenticity.

Following the screening, join us for a panel discussion and audience Q&A with filmmaker Alyssa Botelho and special guests. A tea and dessert reception will be held in the Jacobs Family Gallery after panel discussion, providing an opportunity to continue the conversation.

🕠 Event concludes at 5:30 PM

🎭 Suggested Attire: Guests are encouraged to wear formal attire or period clothing inspired by the 1830s and 1840s to enhance the historical atmosphere of the evening.

A period-style party scene with diverse guests dressed in 19th-century attire inside an elegant room. In the foreground, a man in a dark suit dances with a woman in a brown dress. To the left, a man wearing a top hat and cravat laughs while conversing with others. In the background, women in bonnets and gowns serve food from a lavish table, while additional guests engage in conversation. The room features ornate wallpaper, framed paintings, and a chandelier, evoking a historical setting.

About the Filmmaker

Alyssa Botelho, a Fairhaven, MA native, is an award-winning filmmaker dedicated to uncovering overlooked historical narratives. Sweet Freedom is her most ambitious project to date, brought to life by a talented cast and crew from across North America.

Don’t miss this thought-provoking film and discussion honoring the legacy of courage, community, and resistance in New Bedford’s abolitionist history.

ilmmaker Alyssa Botelho, a young woman with long, wavy red hair, gestures while speaking on a film set inside a rustic wooden cabin. She wears a brown winter coat and appears engaged in conversation with actors dressed in historical costumes, including an older man with a gray beard wearing a black hat and scarf. A crew member in a red beanie stands in the background, and a professional camera is visible in the foreground.

Filmmaker Alyssa Botelho