Works-in-Progress Lab Showcase spotlights Hazing documentary and filmmaker conversation

The Cucalorus Film Foundation, in partnership with Working Films and the Documentary Accountability Working Group, invites the community to a special Works-in-Progress Showcase at Jengo's Playhouse on Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 PM.

The evening will feature an alumni screening of Hazing, a powerful film by Byron Hurt that investigates the hidden world of hazing culture. Through firsthand accounts and in-depth reporting, the documentary reveals the often troubling reality of abusive rituals–highlighting how dynamics of power, masculinity, binge drinking, and institutional coverups allow these practices to persist across campuses and organizations.

Following the screening, audiences are invited to stay for a conversation with filmmakers and mentors Byron Hurt and Natalie Bullock Brown. Together, they will discuss the filmmaking process as well as the broader social issues surrounding hazing culture and accountability.

This event also shines a light on the impact of the Cucalorus Works-in-Progress (WiP) Lab, an immersive program designed to support social justice documentaries with an emphasis on Black storytelling. Each year, filmmakers from across the country gather in Wilmington for a week-long residency that offers workshops, mentorship, and consultations with teams from Cucalorus, Working Films, and DAWG, alongside experienced documentary mentors. Participants refine their projects, explore ethical storytelling practices, and develop strategies for meaningful audience engagement.

The Works-in-Progress Showcase celebrates these creative collaborations, offering the public a unique opportunity to experience films developed through the program while connecting directly with the artists behind them.

Tickets are $10 and available now at jengos.eventive.org. To learn more about the Works-in-Progress Lab, visit cucalorus.org/programs/works-in-progress-lab.

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