Southside With You

Southside With You

Southside With You is a warm and reflective romantic drama inspired by the first sparks between future President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Robinson. Set in Chicago in the summer of 1989, the film offers an intimate portrait of two young professionals discovering connection through conversation, conviction, and shared ideals.

Rather than dramatizing politics or history, the film lingers in the quiet, human moments that reveal who these two people were before the world knew their names. Barack (Parker Sawyers) is thoughtful, ambitious, and deeply rooted in community values. Michelle (Tika Sumpter) is focused, discerning, and determined to define her own path. Over the course of one meaningful day, their exchanges explore questions of purpose, race, and belonging—illuminating how intellect and empathy can bridge different worlds.

More than a love story, Southside With You is a film about listening, respect, and the early formation of a partnership grounded in mutual understanding. With restrained performances and a gentle visual rhythm, it captures the feeling of potential—the sense that a single meeting can change the course of two lives and, in time, influence the world around them.

Screening With:

Camani

Student Short Showcase

A portrait of artist Peter Camani, a creator of avant-garde structures and thought-provoking paintings that captivate his perception of our global unity and social hierarchy.

9 Mins
Canada, 2016
Dir. Dale Carrigan
Language: English