Sneak Preview

Here are some of the films and panel discussions offered at this year’s Roxbury Film Festival.

The rich and provocatively titled “I’m Through with White Girls” casts a subtle yet comedic light on what feels like real, black thirty-something drama. Directed by Jennifer Sharp and starring former “Star Trek Enterprise” actor Anthony Montgomery, the 89-minute feature chronicles protagonist Jay Brooks’ “Operation Brown Sugar,” a plan to date a black woman with whom he can make a commitment.

Director Topper Carew returns to the festival with his five-minute animated short, “The Maggot,” which attempts to erode the drug dealer’s image. “Nina Baby,” directed by Clyde Mason, is a 14-minute conversation with Nina Wright, a 13-year-old jazz prodigy who takes you on a journey through the streets of Los Angeles and on to New York City, where she attempts to make it big.

“Sasha & Desire,” a 25-minute feature directed by Cécile Vernant, a filmmaker from Martinique, tells the story of Sasha, an old Russian woman, who tells her grandchildren about how she met their black grandfather.

“The Countdown,” directed by youth producer/director Rene Dongo, features Boston native and teen spoken word artist Sofia Snow as she performs the titular piece over images of what turned out to be one of the most unforgettable days of her teenage years.

In addition to the screenings, RFF’s quirky panel discussions will help to answer questions about new media that most of us are too shy to ask.

“Facebook Your Film: Creating Content for New Media” examines how to use social networking sites on the web to advance your filmmaking. “Scandalize My Name: Stereotypes, Image-making, I-miss, Nappy Breaking” focuses on the question of whether black filmmakers are perpetuating stereotypes despite efforts to include more blacks in film.

“Getting What You Need: An Inside Guide to Financing and Supporting Indie Film” is sure to teach anyone interested in filmmaking the nuts and bolts of fundraising.

The festival kicks off at the Comedy Connection on Tuesday, July 31 with a night of comedy and a sneak peak at “I’m Through with White Girls.”

On August 3, the Haley House Bakery & Café located off Washington Street in the heart of Roxbury, will host Dinner & A Movie, beginning at 6:30 p.m. In an effort to help the Roxbury community promote films celebrating people of color, Pizzeria Uno will run a special promotion for the entire day on Saturday, August 4. A portion of the proceeds for every meal bought that day will go to the Roxbury Film Festival.