You’re invited to join us for a theatrical screening of The Man in My Basement, including an in-person conversation with co-writer/director Nadia Latif and actor Corey Hawkins.

The Man in My Basement follows Charles Blakey (Corey Hawkins), a young Black man out of work, out of favors, and out of time to save his ancestral home in the historically Black enclave of Sag Harbor, NY, from imminent foreclosure. When a mysterious white businessman, Anniston Bennet (Willem Dafoe), shows up on at his doorstep with a strange but lucrative proposition that can make his financial woes disappear, a hesitant but desperate Charles accepts his offer, slowly leading him into a psychological and haunting labyrinth that interrogates and wrestles with the origins of power, race, identity, and redemption.

The film is an official selection of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.

From Andscape, The Man in My Basement will be released in theaters on September 12.

 
2025, 115 minutes, color | Written by Walter Mosley, Nadia Latif, based on the book by Walter Mosley | Directed by Nadia Latif | Main Cast Corey Hawkins, Willem Dafoe, Anna Diop | Produced by Diane Houslin, John Giwa-Amu, Dave Bishop, Len Rowles | Executive Produced by Jason Aidoo, George Hamilton, James Pugh, Walter Mosley, Corey Hawkins, Willem Dafoe, Pauline Burt, Kiah Simpson, David Kimbangi, Ama Ampadu, Nick Batzias
 

Registration Information

Film Lover Members receive priority entry at this event. Arts Circle Members are guaranteed access, and receive both priority entry and reserved seating. Email membership@filmindependent.org for more.

All Film Independent Members and the general public can register for this event starting at 1:00 pm PT on Wednesday, September 3. | Registration is free; one registration per Membership. | Proof of Member status is required to complete registration.
 

Tickets/Parking

On the day of the event, registrants may pick up tickets as early as 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time – look for Film Independent signage. Tickets are nontransferable and for general, unreserved theater seating only (except for Arts Circle Members). Attendees must be in their seat(s) at least 15 minutes prior to the advertised start time or seat(s) may be released. Entry/seating will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration does not guarantee entry, even with a ticket in hand.

23rd Street is a two-way thoroughfare with metered parking and a parking lot on 23rd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. Other nearby lots can be found on ParkWhiz. Taxis are abundant and available day and night outside the theatre.
 

Accessibility

Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible. For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent.org or 323 556 9305.
 

Screening Policies

Availability window and registration capacity may vary; always register as early as possible. Limit one registration per individual, per event.

Attendees are required to follow all rules and guidelines as laid out by Film Independent and/or its partners. If a guest has been registered for an event by a Member, these policies shall apply to that guest. Violation of policies may result in suspension or termination of Membership/access to future events.

Event details and guest participation are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.