Presented by the Western Reserve Historical Society at the MLK Branch of Cleveland Public Library
Cleveland’s creative community gathered for a night of rare insight, history, and artistic electricity as award-winning filmmaker Robert C. Banks, Jr. took the stage for an in-depth conversation moderated and hosted by Georgio Sabino III. The program, part of the Western Reserve Historical Society’s commitment to documenting and uplifting the region’s cultural voices, blended cinema, music, and live discussion into a uniquely immersive experience. View Film
A Historic Evening Framed by Dr. Regennia N. Williams
The night opened with a powerful and elegantly delivered introduction by Dr. Regennia Williams, who framed Banks’ career within Cleveland’s broader legacy of Black artistic excellence. She highlighted his decades-long journey as an experimental filmmaker — from hand-processing 16mm film to teaching at CSU and mentoring young artists throughout the region.
Her remarks set the tone: this would not merely be a film talk, but a historical conversation.
Live Jazz Meets Experimental Film
Before the dialogue began, the audience was treated to a remarkable fusion of sound and image — a live jazz ensemble performing to one of Banks’ experimental films. The improvisational soundtrack breathed new life into his moving images, creating a kinetic energy that felt both vintage and avant-garde.
It was a celebration of process, play, and the jazz-like rhythm that echoes through so much of Banks’ work.
A Deep Dialogue Between Artists
When host Georgio Sabino III joined Robert Banks on stage, the crowd quickly realized they were witnessing something special. The conversation was an intellectual sparring match — respectful, creative, and profoundly curious. Sabino guided the discussion through Banks’ early days shooting 16mm in Cleveland, his experiences working entirely by hand, the challenges of the independent film landscape, and the move into digital formats.
Banks spoke candidly about the discipline, patience, and emotional intelligence required to create cinema outside of the mainstream system. The audience listened intently as he shared stories about assembling films frame-by-frame, the labor of preserving analog work, and his commitment to teaching new generations of filmmakers at CSU and throughout local Cleveland high schools.
Behind the Scenes: The Contributions of Andre Cato
Working alongside Georgio throughout this production was Andre Cato, serving as assistant and director of the filmed portion of the evening. Cato’s steady eye, thoughtful framing, and intimate understanding of both artists allowed the conversation to be documented with precision and artistry. His role ensured that the event was captured not just as documentation, but as living visual storytelling — aligned with the spirit of Banks’ own cinematic philosophy.
Together, Sabino and Cato formed a modern creative duo: one leading the conversation in real time, the other shaping its lasting visual narrative.
A Night of Wisdom, Laughter, and Legacy
What made the evening unforgettable was Banks himself — candid, humorous, sharp, and brimming with lived experience. Audience members often nodded, laughed, and scribbled notes as he shared hard truths about the filmmaking process and the dedication required to preserve an authentic artistic voice.
It was clear that this gathering represented something larger:
A passing of knowledge.
A recognition of Cleveland’s artistic heritage.
A celebration of experimental cinema as a living art form.
The Take: A Cultural Moment Worth Preserving
“Jazzed About Photography: Robert Banks” stands as one of the Western Reserve Historical Society’s most engaging conversations to date — a perfect intersection of film, music, history, and community exchange. With the combined leadership of Georgio Sabino III, the artistic support of Andre Cato, and the cultural stewardship of Dr. Regennia Williams, the evening honored both the legacy and the ongoing evolution of Cleveland’s film scene.
For those who attended, it was more than an event —
It was a masterclass in creativity.
A celebration of Black artistry.
And a reminder of how powerful Cleveland’s cultural voices truly are.
