The N.C. Central University Hip-Hop Summit Film Festival featured three films, live music and food at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Sonja Haynes Stone Center.

The first film, Khomari Flash’s Beat Kings, showed the progression of hip hop through interviews with some the industry’s first and most influential producers.

The film analyzed individual components of hip hop through interviews with hip-hop masters discussing other artists and the progression of the musical style.

Many of the names were familiar, with interviews by David Banner, Kanye West and The Rza organized like a thesis on hip-hop production.

The artists contributed their opinions in different sections, each dedicated to one aspect of their craft.

Watching the film, the audience could get a good idea of how the musicians used existing sounds as raw materials to create innovative tracks.

The musicians got into details like how they started, what equipment they were using and the direction the industry was taking.

Typically, people don’t associate hip-hop culture with Christianity.

Christopher “Play” Martin, director of Holy Hip Hop, aims to change that. His film shows musicians who combine their love for urban culture with their love for God.

Director Eddie Smith’s film, The Cleansing, focused less on Hip Hop and more on a dark aspect of urban culture.

This fictional film shows the moral and physical dilemmas of Brooklyn, a business woman new to town. Brooklyn manages her sick son, an illness of her own, and the task of protecting a child’s life.

The film showings were followed by a question and answer session with Flash, Martin and Smith.

The filmmakers discussed their inspirations, influences and obstacles in directing. All three said they started with the feeling that the best way for them to express their message was through film.

Their talk included tips for aspiring filmmakers, ways to cut costs in production, and which elements they thought were integral to a good movie.