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The Watermelon Woman

Event •
Mar 8

Sometimes you have to create your own history.

A groundbreaking milestone in queer cinema, The Watermelon Woman (1996) is the first feature film directed by a Black lesbian, solidifying Cheryl Dunye as a visionary filmmaker. Winner of the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the Berlin International Film Festival and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry, this witty and thought-provoking indie classic blends documentary and fiction to explore the erasure of Black queer histories.

Dunye stars as Cheryl, a young Black lesbian and aspiring filmmaker working at a video store in Philadelphia. While researching an obscure 1930s actress credited only as “The Watermelon Woman,” Cheryl embarks on a journey of discovery—both historical and personal—that challenges her understanding of race, sexuality, and representation in film. With humor and heart, The Watermelon Woman dismantles Hollywood’s historical gatekeeping while celebrating the power of reclaiming one’s own narrative.

Praised for its sharp social commentary and fresh storytelling, this landmark of New Queer Cinema remains as vital today as it was upon release.

Before the film there will be an introduction from Cristina Picozzi from the Harriet Hancock Center.

About the speaker
Cristina Picozzi, MS (she/they) joined the Harriet Hancock Center staff in March after volunteering for six months with our organization. She brings over 12 years of extensive public health, nonprofit, fundraising, and leadership experience to her role. Cristina has a master’s in nonprofit management focusing in online communities from Northeastern University, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Health with a focus on nutrition and social justice at UNC Chapel Hill. She is also on the board for South Carolina Public Health Association. She is dedicated to enhancing public health outcomes through inclusive and equitable practices, something she brings to her work with the HHC. She is committed to driving impactful change and fostering a supportive environment where all individuals can thrive.

About the Harriet Hancock Center
Founded in 1993 by the Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement, the Harriet Hancock Center was the first LGBTQ+ resource and community center in South Carolina. The HHC has been located at 1108 Woodrow Street in Columbia since 1994, and was renamed for its founder Harriet Hancock in 2008. The HHC continues to be a space that offers support, education and opportunities to build confidence and connection in the LGBTQ+ community. They currently host three social groups and five identity-based peer support groups regularly throughout the month.

1997. 85 min.

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