Films That Tell Atlanta’s Story
SWATS has been telling untold stories on screen for more than three decades — documentaries about the people who shaped Atlanta, festivals that elevate Black film, and a screening circuit that brings cultural cinema to audiences across the country.
The Catalog
SWATS Documentaries
Three active documentary projects across the SWATS portfolio — each a feature-length story about people and moments that shaped a city, a movement, or a culture.
The story of Atlanta’s growth told through one man’s civic legacy. Marvin Arrington, Sr. — retired Superior Court Justice, former City Council President — battled racism, met political opponents, and shaped the modern city.
bolegsatl.com —>
A documentary on the history of Black superheroes — the artists, writers, and characters who built representation into the comic and animation industries. The cultural canon, unpacked.
historyofblacksuperheroes.com —>
The August 12, 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville — told from the community that lived it. Through the lens of Dr. Wes Bellamy and Charlottesville residents, the history behind one of the most divisive conflicts in modern American history.
atty project hub —>Flagship Documentary
The Bo Legs Documentary
This must-see documentary on Marvin Arrington, Sr. takes viewers on the journey of one man’s love for a city and his visionary work for its eventual transformation. Battling through the blows of racism and meshing with political opponents over the years, Marvin “Bo Legs” Arrington not only found his way but made his mark in civic duty and social justice.
The people who worked with Arrington and knew him best help narrate this seminal figure’s storied impact on the region spanning over three decades. No other person’s biography parallels so harmoniously with the successful growth of the city of Atlanta than Marvin Arrington, Sr.
Watch on demand: smart TVs · mobile · tablets · ROKU · Amazon TV · Android TV · Apple iOS. Available everywhere through MVP.
Sister Brand
Black History Film Festival
Founded by Urban Film Review in 2008 at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, BHFF is a premier cultural event dedicated to broadening the narrative of African American contributions to America’s history through the power of film. It has become a nationally recognized platform for showcasing documentaries and stories of unsung African American heroes whose legacies are often overlooked.
In partnership with Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington, Jr., the festival expanded into the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and introduced an essay and film competition for Fulton County high school students — awarding $500 scholarships to winners highlighting their “Unsung Black History Heroes.”
BHFF now runs across four markets — Atlanta and Washington D.C. as the flagships, with Miami and Oakland the newest. Full market and sponsorship details live on the SWATS sponsorships page.
Festival Circuit
Screenings on the Road
SWATS films have screened at film festivals across the country — from Atlanta to Cleveland, Detroit to Richmond.
Properties
Film Properties & Platforms
Monthly film screening series of Latin, African American, and Asian films. Atlanta event held the 4th Monday of every month at Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center, Decatur, GA 30034. Founded the Black History Film Festival.
Source for movies featuring African American actors, directors, and creators. Sister platforms: BuyLatinMovies.com · BuyAsianMovies.com. Multimedia rooted in cultural representation.
Multimedia events and film festival platform. Host domain for the Urban Film Review gallery and adjacent cultural programming.
Romantic comedy starring Sean Blakemore, Tico Wells, Lil Jon, and more. A SWATS legacy property and a must-have for any movie fan of early-2000s Atlanta cinema.
Press & Stories