Philadelphia’s James Forten was a leader of the abolitionist movement. His family thinks it’s time to retell his story.

James Forten was a free Black Philadelphian who served during the Revolutionary War, became a wealthy sailmaker, and emerged as a leading abolitionist.

As Philadelphia celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary and people who shaped America’s founding, the filmmakers at Big Picture Alliance wanted to tell Forten’s story.

The result is James Forten, a short documentary featured in “Founding Further,” a five-part film series that will screen at the Philadelphia Film Society Center on Nov. 4.

“Forten represents the folks who pushed back and demanded that this nation live up to its promises, and even evolve those promises so they manifest in reality,” said Aleks Martray, executive director of Big Picture Alliance.

The series, spearheaded by the Philadelphia-based nonprofit in collaboration with the Museum of the American Revolution, brings together filmmakers dedicated to chronicling “omitted, obscured, and erased” stories, Martray said.

“The goal is to tell this intersectional history of community leaders, activists, and civic leaders who have pushed back in times of oppression throughout the 250 years,” he said.

Forten was born free in Philadelphia in 1766. He served aboard privateer ships during the Revolutionary War and was held captive at sea by the British for seven months before his release in 1782. He later became a wealthy sailmaker and a leader in Philadelphia’s abolitionist movement.

He was a founding member of several Black-led movements, including the Free African Society. His wife, Charlotte Vandine Forten, and their daughters were active in the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. Forten died on March 4, 1842, at age 75.

Along with Forten, the series explores the lives of Tamanend, a Lenape leader; Sadie Alexander, the first Black woman to earn a doctorate in economics in the United States and the first Black woman to receive a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania law school, who eventually became the first Black woman admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania; Kiyoshi Kuromiya, an author and civil rights and HIV/AIDS activist; and Gloria Casarez, Philadelphia’s first director of LGBT affairs.

Martray said each film is intended to highlight underrepresented historical figures amid political divisions and encourage viewers to reimagine America’s future.

“It’s not only intended to reclaim these histories, but to help galvanize community members to learn from the lessons of the past,” he said.

The Forten project grew in part out of “Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia,” a 2023 exhibition at the Museum of the American Revolution.

Through the museum, Martray met Dolly Marshall, a preservationist, historian, and Forten family descendant, who was integral in piecing the documentary together.

“We wanted to make sure these stories were told authentically, and that everyone’s voice was represented,” Martray said.

Marshall didn’t know much about Big Picture Alliance before joining the project. But the nonprofit’s mission to empower young filmmakers and spotlight overlooked historical figures appealed to her.

“It was a perfect partnership,” she said.

“A lot of the history, unfortunately, has been whitewashed. It’s been told by other scholars. No offense to them, but we have to make sure we tell our stories, and we’re diligent in finding inclusive representation,” she said.

For the production, Martray enlisted Emmy-winning director Kyra Knox, who worked closely with Marshall to chronicle Forten’s life and legacy.

After a year of conducting research and compiling archival imagery, the production team filmed over three days between June and August 2025, and spent the next four months in postproduction to get the film primed for its November screening.

The 13-minute film comprises interviews, archival imagery, and brief reenactments of Forten traversing through various Philadelphia sites as Marshall and other historians chronicle his life.

Knox said the documentary was among the most challenging projects she’s worked on, largely because of the limited archival images and materials available. Marshall’s involvement helped the filmmakers navigate those gaps and verify historical details.

An image of Forten the crew intended to use, for example, turned out to be a portrait of his oldest son, James Forten Jr.

“She made sure all the information out there was correct ... to have a direct descendant really helped ensure there wasn’t any misinformation,” Knox said of Marshall.

Actor Joe Henderson plays Forten in the reenactments. “We were super creative with this one,” Knox said.

Among the interviewees is author Julie Winch, who has written several books on Forten. Marshall also shares an on-screen moment with Arthur Sudler, the director of Historical Society and Archives at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas.

Sudler shared several documents signed by Forten with the film crew, too.

Even with an otherwise limited archive, Marshall said the team had a creative approach that “breathed life” into the centuries-old history while remaining faithful to her family’s legacy.

“I think people are going to be blown away,” she said.

Marshall, who has served as a historical consultant on other Forten projects, said working on the documentary was “very meaningful” given the ongoing attack on Black American history and its teaching.

“There’s this ongoing battle of who gets to tell American history, and also what is American history,” Marshall said. “It was perfect timing how this came in alignment, and I’m excited to share this project.”

She believes Forten’s story can inspire viewers to become better stewards of civil rights and liberation.

“Everyone can do their part. Watch this film, learn more about Forten and the generations after him. That’s doing your part,” she said. “It’s important we empower each other by creating a just and equitable society.”

“Founding Further” screens Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m., Philadelphia Film Society Center, 1412 Chestnut St. Free but tickets required. filmadelphia.org