The Kansas City Public Library hosts Fox 4 News Film Critic Shawn Edwards for a panel discussion on Black Love Stories in Film: Where is the Romance? on Tuesday, February 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.

This panel discussion draws from contemporary films as well as the earliest days of cinema history in order to provide a complete perspective on how African Americans have been portrayed in film when it comes to romance and love.

In addition to Edwards, the discussion will include filmmaker Javonne Diallo French, Kansas City Star columnist Jenee Osterheldt, Ink columnist Damon Smith, radio personality Sean Tyler and actress Tasha Smith with Fox 4 News anchor Sharita Hutton serving as moderator.  

Edwards is an award-winning film critic for Fox 4 News and co-founder of the African American Film Critics Association. He is also the creator of the web site iloveblackmovies.com.

This presentation complements The Movies We Love: The Most Romantic Black Movies (Ever), a film series compiled by Edwards that is screening every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. throughout February 2010 in the Stanley H. Durwood Film Vault at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.

Both the presentation and film series anticipate the premiere of Edwards’ new documentary The Movies We Love: The 25 Most Romantic Black Movies (Ever), premiering this summer.