The 3rd Annual Oak Park Black Film Festival started at the Guild Theater Tuesday and ends Sunday, Oct. 13. The festival features various films from Black creators, filmmakers, producers and actors.

ABC10’s Mark S. Allen spoke with event organizers Adrianne Hall and Dru Burks about the festival.

HERE ARE 3 THINGS TO KNOW: 

Proceeds will benefit St. HOPE Academy and St. HOPE Public Schools. St. HOPE is dedicated to building and supporting the Oak Park community, which it does through its multiple schools and businesses, like the Guild Theater and Underground Books.

“What St. HOPE definitely does is it builds the community and that is what it was all about in Oak Park,” said Dru Burks, comedian and Guild Theater director. “For me, to come back to the community and be able to be in this theater and put on these events that we do here in the theater, that is really what St. HOPE is about. Bringing it back home. Always come back to your community to develop.”

“Luther: Never Too Much,” a documentary about Luther Vandross, will debut at the Oak Park Black Film Festival before heading to theaters Friday, Nov. 1. Once the film finishes its worldwide theater run, it will be available to stream on Max, OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network) and CNN.

“We are really excited to bring this documentary about Luther Vandross that is going to be debuting here, right here at the Guild Theater, before it is shown and released worldwide,” said festival CFO Adrianne Hall. “Luther Vandross, what an icon. I think we’re going to have a lot of people coming out for that one for sure.”

Tickets are selling fast! According to Hall and the Eventbrite website, tickets are nearly sold out for the festival.

“It has been incredible. Just in three years and already it is almost sold out every single night and we are just thrilled,” said Hall. “We are thrilled to bring producers, filmmakers from all over the country, even as far as England right here to Oak Park.”

Despite the high ticket sales, those who are late may still be able to attend.

“You can still get walk up tickets for today and throughout the rest of the film series through Sunday,” Hall said.