New Film Fest Weekend in Gary shares work of region actor

His is a face that's very recognizable on the big screen.

"I knew him right away from his many roles the first time I saw him in person," said Indiana state Rep. Vernon Smith, founder and board president for the African American Achievers, talking about Gary native-turned-Hollywood film star William L. Johnson.

"But when I first saw him in person, it was last September and he just happened to be back in Gary when I spotted him at a store. After he left, I wished I had said hello, but it all happened so fast."

A week or so later, Smith said he was in a local Gary business and notice the actor's photo displayed on the wall.

"When I asked the owner if she knew actor William L. Johnson personally, she told me, 'Well yes, he's my son.' And that's when an idea was born."

Next weekend, African American Achievers Youth Corps, Inc., is partnering with other local groups to sponsor the first film festival dedicated to William L. Johnson and it will be hosted by the actor, who's planning his homecoming so he can participate.

The festival will take place from Friday, Feb. 17, to Sunday, Feb. 19, in the Glen Theatre, 20 West Ridge Road, in Gary.

Johnson, a graduate of Emerson Visual and Performing Arts High School, has held starring roles in many theatrically released projects.

According to Smith, it was Johnson's performance as a lead in director Craig Ross' "Blue Hill Avenue" that helped the movie garner top honors at the Acapulco and Black Hollywood Film Festivals.

Some of his latest film projects include "Motives 2," "Mannsfield 12," "Crossover," "Doing Hard Time," "Tears of a Clown" and "Motives 1."

He's also appeared in independent short films and feature subjects including "Move," "Wanted: Soulful Energy Xchange" with Gary Dourdan and Mari Morrow, and director Tony Spires' "Two Degrees" starring Don "DC" Curry.

On the small screen, most recently, Johnson has performed what Smith calls a "scene-stealing" TV role in Showtime's "A Spider's Web" with Stephen Baldwin and Carrie Weir.

Carolyn McCrady, another of the event's organizers, said Smith's idea for Northwest Indiana to come together to share discussion and ideas surrounding film messages began last year.

"Many people remember last year at this same time we introduced our first Black Film Festival at the Glen Theatre," McCrady said.

"And that event is going to continue in addition to this month's special themed weekend focusing on William L. Johnson's work. The general film fest, which is in its second year, is going to be in May this year."

Smith and McCrady said equally important to Johnson's career mission is his passion for delivering conscious messages through his music via his stage persona "Brotha Bill," sporting a lyrical flow as a neo-soul artist. His latest album is called "BrothaBill — The Underground Funky Street Soul Brotha."

"This is an actor with varied works and we selected specific films from his field that are all family friendly and also still represent his range," Smith said.

"His career and work span both the entertainment experience and also messages of creativity and education."