ICSC and FilmScene present 'Something in the Water: Afrofuturist Short Films'

The Iowa City Senior Center, in partnership with FilmScene and the Center for Afrofuturist Studies, will present "Something in the Water: Afrofuturist Short Films" at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at FilmScene's Chauncey location.

The screening is part of Parables of the Future: Black Future Fest, a multi-week series highlighting Afrofuturism through film, art, fashion, and community dialogue. This short film program features documentary, narrative, and science fiction works that explore Black life, environmental justice, memory, resilience, and imagined futures.

The program includes:

• "Kultur" (2024), directed by Asari Aibangbee
• "Ourika!" (2023), directed by Xenia Matthews
• "Burnt Milk" (2023), directed by Joseph Douglas Elmhirst
• "a_blurred_fluxx_00.AVI" (2024), directed by Osadolor Osawemwenze
• "Something in the Water" (2025), directed by Nateya Taylor

The featured documentary, "Something in the Water", centers on the voices of water justice advocates and examines the ongoing lead poisoning crisis affecting Black communities. The film follows five community leaders as they confront environmental racism, challenge systems that have failed them, and advocate for equity, healing, and accountability for future generations.

A post-screening discussion with director Nateya Taylor will follow the program.

Admission is free, courtesy of a sponsorship from the Friends of the Iowa City Senior Center, supporting increased access to arts, civic dialogue, and cultural programming for the broader community.

This screening is part of the Senior Center's Community Collaborations series, sponsored by Barbara McFadden and Tom Rocklin, and reflects the Center's commitment to lifelong learning, intergenerational engagement, and community-informed programming.

Free tickets are available in advance at FilmScene's website.