Sites of Memory follows a diverse community group as they journey together to historical sites of racial violence, reflecting on the enduring impact of racism and envisioning new possibilities for a more equitable future. Through their shared experiences, the film captures deeply personal and collective reflections, exploring how these sites carry the weight of history while offering opportunities for healing and transformation.
Featuring personal interviews, archival footage, and powerful imagery, Sites of Memory examines the role of memory in shaping our understanding of systemic inequities and resilience. As participants engage with these spaces, the film highlights the importance of truth-telling, community dialogue, and imagining pathways toward justice and reconciliation.
More than a historical documentary, Sites of Memory serves as a call to action, challenging viewers to confront the past, honor the stories of those who endured, and join in building a future rooted in equity and shared humanity.
Film Producers
Antonio Tarrell is a filmmaker hailing from Bruce, Mississippi, whose expansive skill set spans producing, directing, and cinematography. Known for his ability to craft visually captivating images that advance narratives and resonate deeply with audiences, Tarrell has a unique talent for creating films that impact viewers on a subconscious level. His dedication to storytelling is evident in his varied body of work, which includes feature films, documentaries, and commercials. His portfolio is a testament to his versatility and commitment to quality, featuring influential works such as Cole: Bridge to Justice (2025), Caravan of Hope (2025), We Were Here: A Journey Through Memory (2025), and Voices of Mississippi(2025). Earlier projects include (I’m Not) Your Negroni (2024), Moving Spirit II (2024), and Sites of Memory (2024), among others. Tarrell’s films often explore themes of justice, memory, and social change, aiming to provoke thought and inspire action. Antonio Tarrell Films, under his guidance, has also made significant contributions to television, working with major networks on productions that include NHK’s Mississippi Revealed (2022), Fox Business: Earth with John Holden (2022), and PBS: Make America Black hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr (2021). Each project showcases Tarrell’s flair for engaging with complex topics through powerful visual storytelling, establishing him as a prominent voice in contemporary filmmaking. Learn More.
Castel Sweet is a filmmaker, embedded sociologist, and community builder whose work lives at the intersection of storytelling and place-based engagement. She is the founder of Sweet Soil Narratives, a storytelling production company dedicated to amplifying narratives rooted in place, particularly those that have been historically neglected. Castel’s films explore themes of identity, resistance, and belonging—often focusing on the American South and the lived experiences of Black communities. With a Ph.D. in Sociology and a career in community engagement, Castel brings a distinct practitioner-scholar lens to her filmmaking. Her creative process is deeply relational and place-based, informed by years of working alongside grassroots organizations and community residents. Whether behind the camera or leading community conversations, Castel believes storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for building connection and imagining a more just future. Learn More.
Michael Fagans simply enjoy telling people’s stories. His journey has taken him to the Navajo Nation, Malawi, India, Austria, Afghanistan, Scotland, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Belize and Guatemala. Michael is an Assistant Professor at the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS. He is also the author of The iPhone Photographer, iPhone Photography for Everybody, and iPhone Photography for Everyone: Artistic Techniques with my publisher Amherst Media. Michael has had multiple short films screened in the Outside the Box Bakersfield Film Festival as well as the premiere of the documentary film The Trafficked Life at the Fox Theater in Bakersfield. He was the Assistant Photo Editor at The Bakersfield Californian for six years, focused on multimedia, video and web projects for the photo staff, curated the SEEN page and worked with the front page designer. Most recently Michael was the Director of Strategic communication (filmmaker-in-residence) at the United Way of Kern County. He is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences. Michael was also the National Press Photographers Association’s Photographer of the Year for 2005 for New York state and Ontario and Quebec provinces. Learn More.
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