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A Holly Dolly Christmas

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  International icon and Grammy Award-winning artist Dolly Parton has released her new Christmas album on October 2.  Featuring the song, “Mary, Did You Know?”

Dolly is quoted saying “‘Mary Did You Know?’ is one of the greatest, sweetest, well-written songs that I’ve ever had the chance to sing on.  She continues with, “When I was recording it, I got very emotional. It is to me what Christmas is about and I’m proud to be able to sing it for my upcoming album.”

A Holly Dolly Christmas Track Listing:

1. Holly Jolly Christmas-Dolly Parton

2. Christmas Is- feat.(Miley Cyrus) Dolly Parton

3. Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas-Dolly                                                           Parton with Michael Buble

4. Christmas On The Square-Dolly Parton

5. Circle of Love-Dolly Parton

6. All I Want For Christmas Is-feat.( Jimmy                                                        Fallon) Dolly Parton

This is a partial list of the titles on the album, go to all outlets to purchase and sing along with Dolly Parton to bring in the 2020 Holiday Season.

 

Photo Credit: Stacie Huckebs

Courtesy of Butterfly Records, LLC

Christmas in Carolina

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‘Family Matters‘ stars ignite romantic holiday spirit in  ‘CHRISTMAS IN CAROLINA‘

After losing her parents in a car accident, Elle (Joslyn Y. Hall of Atlanta), a career-driven investment banker has given up on love and Christmas until she meets Wesley (David L. Rowell of Com-pli-cat-ed), a former NBA player and CEO of a small marketing firm. Impetuously, Wesley invites Elle home for Christmas in South Carolina, with his parents (Kellie Shanygne Williams and Darius McCrary of ‘Family Matters’). With hesitation, Elle accepts and is given a much bigger present than she could ever have imagined!

Christmas in Carolina’ is widely available On-Digital and On-Demand, November 1, 2020.

Lensed on location in South Carolina, the film was directed by Peggy Williams working from a script by Stacie Davis, and stars Joslyn Y. Hall (Atlanta) and David L. Rowell (Com-pli-cat-ed) alongside Kellie Shanygne Williams and Darius McCrary of Family Matters who reprise their roles as siblings.

 

 

Movie Review: Charm City Kings from Urban World Film Festival

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          Charm City Kings is a great coming of age movie made for this time and generation.  If you like to feel the rush of seeing the stunts and riding of dirt bikes in the city of Baltimore this movie is for you.  It’s a movie about friendship, loyalty, and responsibility all rolled into a summer in the city of Baltimore. Three young black men who have to make decisions that will affect their lives forever. This movie is a must see, if you have any teenagers sit down and watch this movie together.  Coming to HBO Max on October 8,2020.

 

Here are a few of the players in this must see movie:

Angel Manuel Soto: Director

Will Catlett: Plays ‘Rivers’

Chino Braxton: Plays ‘Jamal’

Caleeb Pinkett: Producer

Jahi Di’allo Winston: Plays ‘Mouse’

Bad Hair On Hulu

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This year’s Urban World Film Festival is off to a great start.  With Covid-19 the look of Film Festivals have changed to Virtual, where everything is on the computer, tablet or your phone.  As one of the Spotlight Conversions on Thursday 24, 2020 we had the pleasure of listening to some of the cast, the director and writer of the upcoming movie ‘Bad Hair’ which airs on Hulu on October 23, 2020.  From the previews of the movie it looks great and exciting with an all-star cast. As suggested on the panel get ‘Bad Hair’ parties together and enjoy the show.

Writer/Director: Justin Simien

Actor: Elle Lorraine

Actor: Lena Waithe

Actor: Kelly Rowland

Once Upon a River

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Based on the best-selling novel by Bonnie Jo Campbell, Once Upon A River is the story of Native American teenager Margo Crane (Kenadi DelaCerna) in 1970s rural Michigan who after enduring a series of traumas and tragedies, sets out on an odyssey on the Stark River in search of her estranged mother. On the water, Margo encounters friends, foes, wonders, and dangers; navigating life on her own, she comes to understand her potential, all while healing the wounds of her past.

OPENING ON 10/2 VIA VIRTUAL CINEMA

FROM FILM MOVEMENT

 Written & Directed by:

Haroula Rose (“Lost & Found”)

Based on the Novel “Once Upon a River” by: Bonnie Jo Campbell

Starring up and coming Kenadi DelaCerna in her first feature film,

John Ashton (Beverly Hills Cop, Midnight Run, Gone Baby Gone),

Tatanka Means (The Son, Saints & Strangers, Tiger Eyes), Ajuawak Kapashesit (Indian Horse, Caleb, “Outlander”), Sam Straley (Hala, “Chicago Med,” “Chicago P.D.”), Coburn Goss (Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, What Women Want), Lindsay Pulsipher (“True Blood,” “Justified,” “Hatfields & McCoys”), Kenn E. Head (“ER,” Brat 2, “Chicago Fire”)

UrbanWorld Film Festival Virtual 2020

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THE URBANWORLD® FILM FESTIVAL

WITH FOUNDING PARTNER HBO AND PRESTIGE PARTNER WARNERMEDIA

ANNOUNCES 2020 VIRTUAL FESTIVAL SLATE

DAVID OYELOWO’S THE WATER MAN CONFIRMED AS OPENING NIGHT FILM

Virtual Festival Runs September 23-27, 2020 on urbanworld.org

Ava DuVernay, David Oyelewo, Rosario Dawson, Lena Waithe, Justin Simien,

Luis A. Miranda, Jr., Nia DaCosta, Teyonah Parris, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Alana Mayo,

Kelly Rowland, Robert Townsend, Alice Smith, Radha Blank, David E. Talbert,

Jahi Di’Allo Winston and Many More Confirmed To Appear

NEW YORK, NY (September 17, 2020) – The 24th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival along with founding partner HBO and prestige partner WarnerMedia, announced its 2020 virtual festival slate today.  The slate of over 100 official selections panels and conversations will all be seen online at urbanworld.org from Wednesday, September 23 through Sunday, September 27, 2020.

“In an unimaginable year of change, we remain inspired by the creativity, culture and community that prevail in this brave new virtual world.   Powerful storytelling is now more important than ever and Urbanworld is proud to be a consistent platform that brings Black, Indigenous and people of color storytellers and audiences together from across the globe,” said Gabrielle Glore, Festival Director & Head of Programming, Urbanworld Film Festival. 

Some of the spotlights and conversations of the festival include:

David Oyelowo’s feature directorial debut, The Water Man, will open the festival on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 7:30 P.M.  Oyelowo also stars in the fantasy-adventure film that follows a boy who sets out on a quest to save his ill mother by searching for a mythic figure said to have magical healing powers.  A conversation with Oyelowo, Rosario Dawson, Lonnie Chavis and Amiah Miller moderated by the Emmy Award winning Ava DuVernay will immediately follow the screening, as well as a special music performance by Grammy® nominated Alice Smith.

On Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 6:00 P.M., there will be a conversation around HBO’s Siempre, Luis, a portrait of the pioneering activist Luis A. Miranda Jr.  Miranda is a decades-long fighter for Latino communities, a key player in the New York and national political arena and a loving father of three – including the award-winning composer, lyricist and actor, Lin-Manuel Miranda. The discussion will include clips from the film and panelists, director John James and Miranda.  It will be moderated by journalist Julio Ricardo Varela.

Hulu’s Bad Hair will screen on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 8:00 P.M.  The horror satire set in 1989, follows an ambitious young woman who gets a weave in order to succeed in the image-obsessed world of music television. However, her flourishing career comes at a great cost when she realizes that her new hair may have a mind of its own.  A conversation about the making of the film with writer/director Justin Simien, Lena Waithe, Elle Lorraine and Kelly Rowland moderated by influencer/entrepreneur Tahira Joy will follow.

In an industry historically led and validated by white men, the dearth of executives possessing the authority to usher in BIPOC storytellers is pronounced.  The Hollywood system’s imbalance of power prevails, but fearless women are stepping into spaces that empower them to lead transformation.  MoCADA’s Amy Andrieux will have a one-on-one conversation with Alana Mayo, President of Orion Pictures on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 6:00 P.M to discuss how this next chapter change agent is impacting how content is created and how deals get done.

Candyman director/co-writer Nia DaCosta, Teyonah Parris and Vanessa Williams will appear at the festival on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 8:00 P.M. for an intimate conversation around the contemporary incarnation of the cult classic. Moderated by journalist, Kelley L. Carter, the four ladies will offer a sneak peek and discuss what audiences can expect with the upcoming film that Universal Pictures presents from Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures and Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld’s Monkeypaw Productions, in association with BRON Creative.

Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. will feature a spotlight on Peacock’s Noughts & Crosses, the provocative series that reimagines an alternate universe in which Africa colonized Europe and the racial power structure, as we know it, is turned upside down.  Series stars Masali Baduza and Paterson Joseph will discuss the series with award-winning journalist Isha Sesay.

AMC Networks’ rapid-fire 3-part presentation highlighting its forthcoming television series’ that will debut this fall will happen on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 4:00 P.M.  The Root’s Danielle Belton will serve as the thread across these conversations that will feature cast and filmmakers from the shows.  From Gangs of London, executive producer/director Corin Hardy, Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù and Paapa Essiedu.  From Soulmates, Shamier Anderson, Kingsley Ben-Adir and Georgina Campbell and from The Walking Dead: World Beyond, executive producer and showrunner Matt Negrete, Alexa Mansour and Aliyah Royale.

Desperate for a breakthrough as she nears the big 4-0, struggling New York City playwright Radha finds inspiration by reinventing herself as a rapper in Netflix’s The Forty-Year-Old Version, the directorial debut of actor/writer/director/producer Radha Blank.  The filmmaker will discuss the film on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 6:00 P.M in a conversation led by writer/director Robert Townsend.

A screening and conversation about HBO Max’s Charm City Kings will debut on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 7:30 P.M as director Angel Manuel Soto, producer Caleeb Pinkett and stars Jahi Di’Allo Winston and Will Catlett unpack the heart and soul of the film.  Inspired by the critically acclaimed 2013 documentary 12 O’Clock Boys, this narrative adaptation shares a coming of age story, wrapped around Baltimore’s infamous dirt bike community and brings a revered city tradition to audiences, punctuating similarity to marginalized cities around the country.

In 1997, Urbanworld’s inaugural year, writer/director/producer David E. Talbert won Best Dramatic Feature for his film A Woman Like That.  In 2013, he returned to open the festival with Baggage Claim.  On Sunday, September 27, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. Talbert and his wife/producing partner, Lyn Sisson-Talbert, share their journey in the industry with a look ahead to the transcendent content they have on the horizon, including the upcoming Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, Netflix’s first original live-action musical. Tre’vell Anderson will moderate and celebrate the legacy of this Urbanworld alumni.

Come Away will close the virtual festival on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at 3:00 P.M. The film imagines a world before Peter became Pan and Alice visited Wonderland, and stars David Oyelowo and Angelina Jolie. The screening will be followed by a conversation, moderated by Urbanworld Film Festival Founder Stacy Spikes, with Oyelowo and Alice herself, actress Kiera Chansa.

Urbanworld’s Founding partner HBO is joined by key supporters including WarnerMedia as Prestige partner and Amazon Studios, BET Networks and 150 as Premiere partners.  Supporting partners include Netflix, Hulu, NBCUniversal, AMC Networks, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Peacock.  Industry partners include ARRAY, MPA, The Writer’s Guild East, Africa Creative Agency, Vimeo and PreShow.  TheRoot.com, Essence, Essence Studios and iHeart Media’s Power 105.1 are media partners.

All access passes, day passes and tickets for opening night are on sale now at urbanworld.org.  Follow @UrbanworldFF on instagram and Twitter and use #Urbanworld20 to join the conversation about the festival on social media.

URBANWORLD 2020 FILM SLATE

*As of 09.17.20*

OPENING NIGHT

The Water Man – Directed by David Oyelowo (Presented by Harpo Films & ShivHans Pictures)

CLOSING DAY

Come Away – Directed by Brenda Chapman

SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATIONS

Bad Hair – Directed by Justin Simien (Presented by Hulu)

Candyman – Directed by Nia DaCosta (Presented by Universal Pictures)

Charm City Kings – Directed by Angel Manuel Soto (Presented by HBO Max)

Gangs of London, Soul Mates & Walking Dead: World Beyond (Presented by AMC Networks)

Noughts & Crosses – Directed by Julian Homes & Koby Adom (Presented by Peacock)

Siempre, Luis – Directed by John James (Presented by HBO)

The Forty-Year-Old Version – Directed by Radha Blank (Presented by Netflix)

U.S. NARRATIVE FEATURES 

A New York Christmas Wedding – Directed by Otoja Abit

A Shot Through The Wall – Directed by Aimee Long

American Thief – Directed by Miguel Silveira

Farewell Amor – Directed by Ekwa Msangi

Millennium Bugs – Directed by Alejandro Montoya Marin

Paradise City – Directed by John Marco Lopez (World Premiere)

Playing With Beethoven – Directed by Jenn Page

Take Out Girl – Directed by Hisonni Mustafa

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain – Directed by David Midell

Waikiki – Directed by Christopher Kahunahana (World Premiere)

WORLD CINEMA NARRATIVE FEATURES 

A Rose Between Thorns – Directed by Nigel Lewis (Saint Kitts and Nevis)

Barakat – Directed by Amy Jephta (South Africa)

Death of Nintendo – Directed by Raya Martin (Philippines/U.S.A.)

Hoy – Directed by Ricardo B’atz’ (El Salvador) (World Premiere)

Kings of Mulberry Street – Directed by Judy Naidoo (South Africa)

Lily Of The Valley – Directed by Giovanni Rustanto (Indonesia)

Malpaso – Directed by Héctor Valdez (Dominican Republic)

Number 37 – Directed by Nosipho Dumisa (South Africa)

SALVATION – Directed by Carmen Sangion (South Africa)

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

Alice Street – Directed by Spencer Wilkinson

Dark City Beneath the Beat – Directed by TT The Artist

THE DONUT KING – Directed by Alice Gu.

Zulu Man In Japan – Directed by Colin Gayle, Nhlakanipho Teddy Mkhize (South Africa) (World Premiere)

YOUNG CREATORS SHOWCASE

Artist, Act Of Love – Directed by Kuukua Eshun (Ghana)

Graduation – Directed by Robin Wang (World Premiere)

Limelight – Directed by Claire Gostin (World Premiere)

NAHJUM – Directed by Sebastian Torres Greene, Manuel Del Valle (Mexico)

On The Whistle – Directed by TJ Noel-Sullivan

Remember When – Directed by Paola Ossa

Since Ambreen – Directed by Alexandre Ayoub (France) (World Premiere)

The Other Side – Directed by Josh Leong (Ethiopia)

NARRATIVE SHORTS 

410 Stamped – Directed by Nikki Taylor Roberts

4Melvin – Directed by McCristol Harris III, Du’ana Speights (World Premiere)

A BLOSSOM IN THE NIGHT  – Directed by Tayo Amos (World Premiere)

A Storybook Ending – Directed by Lanre Olabisi

American Dream – Directed by  Nicolas Polixene, Sylvain Loubet dit Gajol (France)

Baldwin Beauty – Directed by Thembi Banks

Beef  – Directed by Ingride Santos (Spain)

Bill & Robert – Directed by Kamaria J. Hodge

Black – Directed by Tamika R. Guishard (World Premiere)

Broken Bird – Directed by Rachel Harrison Gordon

clarissa  – Directed by Shanrica Evans (World Premiere)

Crutch-Tap – Directed by Michael Basha

Da Yie – Directed by Anthony Nti (Ghana/Belgium)

Dark Skin – Directed by Iñaki Velasquez (Chile)(World Premiere)

Down Dog  – Directed by Shae Xu

Driving While Black Magic – Directed by Julia C Liu

Eagle – Directed by Jose Acevedo

elephant  – Directed by Gladys San Juan (United Kingdom)

Estilo Americano  – Directed by Miriam Kruishoop

For Rosa – Directed by Kathryn Boyd-Batstone (World Premiere)

Gets Good Light – Directed by Alejandra Parody (World Premiere)

Great America – Directed by Angelita Mendoza  (World Premiere)

Harana  – Directed by Marie Jamora (Philippines/U.S.A.)

Heading South – Directed by Yuan Yuan (China/U.S.A.)

Headlock  – Directed by Damon Laguna

Home by 8.30 – Directed by Perry White (United Kingdom)

How Can I Forget  – Directed by Natalia Andreadis (United Kingdom)

KEON – Directed by E.G. Bailey

Leave Us Here – Directed by Tari Wariebi (World Premiere)

Miss Boundless – Directed by Qiyu Zhou

Oh Geno! – Directed by Onyinye Egenti (United Kingdom)

PHONY – Directed by Jessica dela Merced

Princess Cut – Directed by Elaine Del Valle

Rosa – Directed by Suha Araj

Soukoon – Directed by Farah Shaer (Lebanon)

tender – Directed by Felicia Pride

The Price of Cheap Rent – Directed by Amina Sutton, Maya Tanaka

Through the Wire – Directed by umi (World Premiere)

What the Wind Carries – Directed by Trey Ellis, Chris Chuang

White Eye – Directed by Tomer Shushan (Israel)

YALLA – Directed by Carlo D’Ursi (Spain/Italy) (World Premiere)

YOUR KID – Directed by Nelson Foix (France)

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 

Dwayne’s World  – Directed by Geno Dimaria (World Premiere)

I’m Not Bad Luck (The True Story of Kesz Valdez) – Directed by Marcos Negrão, Johanna Schnell (Brazil/U.S.A.) (World Premiere)

Landry – Directed by Meeto Worre Kronborg Grevsen (Denmark)

My Father The Mover – Directed by Julia Jansch (South Africa)

Out of the Shadows – Directed by Rafael Samanez

The Heart Still Hums – Directed by Savanah Leaf, Taylor Russell

ANIMATION SHORTS 

About Her – Directed by Wagner Cinelli (Brazil)(World Premiere)

Migrante – Directed by Esteban Ezequiel Dalinger, César Daniel Iezzi (Argentina)

The Power of Hope  – Directed by Kalia Love Jones (World Premiere)

Umbrella  – Directed by Helena Hilario, Mario Pece (Brazil)

Windup – Directed by Yibing Jiang

WEB ORIGINALS 

East of La Brea – Directed by Sam Bailey

EKLYPSE: A Hip Hop Fable – Directed by Eden Marryshow (World Premiere)

MANILENNIALS – Directed by E del Mundo

Sasha & Condi – Directed by Lucretia Stinnette

Sole Kings – Directed by Michael Pinckney

MUSIC VIDEOS

Black Pumas Colors – Directed by Kristian Mercado

Crónico – Directed by Claudia Calderón (Puerto Rico)

Healing Creek  – Directed by Kevin Brooks

James Arthur feat. Travis Barker – You – Directed by Timon Birkhofer (Germany)

NEVA GO TOUCH AM – Directed by JOJO ABOT (World Premiere)

Princess Nokia “Green Eggs and Ham” – Directed by Sebastian Sdaigui

Rapsody feat. Leikeli47 – “Oprah” – Directed by Farah X

Suzanna – Directed by Director K (Kenya) (World Premiere)

Terrace Martin – Pig Feet (feat. Denzel Curry, Kamasi Washington, G Perico, & Daylyt) – Directed by Terrace Martin, Jasper Graham, Brendan Walter

SCREENPLAYS 

Cinnamon – Written By Bryian K. Montgomery Jr.

Ellie’s Tale – Written By Rhonda Deskins

How To Catch A Unicorn – Written By Chad Quinn

If You Seek Britney – Written By Ama Quao

 

The Black Emperor

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The Black Emperor of Broadway

is widely available, tomorrow, September 15, 2020. iTunes (Drama, Bio-Pic)

A century ago, in 1920, Charles Gilpin was the first Black leading man of Broadway. At a time when white men performed in blackface, a burgeoning playwright, Eugene O’Neill, defied the establishment and cast Gilpin as his leading man in an ‘edgy’ new play, “The Emperor Jones.”

The collaboration was a certified success. Audiences were thrilled. Both skyrocketed – O’Neill to power and Gilpin to the pinnacle of stardom.

The New York Tribune observed that “Gilpin is great. It is a performance of heroic stature” (4 Nov. 1920)

But something didn’t sit right with Gilpin. The words his character, Brutus Jones, spoke become more than words on a page, they were a misrepresentation.

He demanded change. He held his ground. He lost everything.

Though this champion has been lost to history, Charles Gilpin changed the course of American theatre.

As Broadway’s first Black leading man: Why is Charles Gilpin lost to the pages of history? Why are his achievements and his name not celebrated?

The Sit-In

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THE SIT IN: HARRY BELAFONTE HOSTS THE TONIGHT SHOW, a new documentary from Peacock, premieres today on the streaming network. Part of its origin story begins with Nation national-affairs correspondent Joan Walsh’s 2017 coverline story for The Nation, “When Harry Met Late Night.”

From executive producer and MSNBC host Joy Reid and director Yoruba Richen, THE SIT-IN chronicles the seminal event and almost-forgotten moment in American history during which legendary entertainer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte hosted the iconic “Tonight Show” in place of Johnny Carson for an entire week. Watch the trailer her

Walsh, who coproduced the film, is available for select interviews from New York City to discuss how she uncovered the history-making week in February 1968 during which an African American hosted a late-night television show for the first time ever.

“When the old folks say television used to be different from the profit-driven, ratings-obsessed, news-as-entertainment industry of today, they don’t always have good counterexamples,” wrote Walsh in 2017. “But a few years back, I came across a perfect one: the week in February 1968 when, at the height of the Vietnam War’s Tet offensive, as riots were wracking major American cities and the Democratic Party was coming apart, Johnny Carson handed The Tonight Show over to the legendary Harry Belafonte, who proceeded to use the platform to introduce white America to his world of art and activism.”

Then, as now, our country was on a precipice, roiled by internal turmoil and a palpably unstable future. The story of America in the late ’60s offers a framework to explore the nature of change and progress, hope, activism, and reactionary forces.

Belafonte created a radical, amazing high-low, black-white mix of pop culture and politics. Searing, in-depth interviews with Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.—mere months before both men were assassinated—are paired with a young Bill Cosby, the blacklisted African-American singer Leon Bibb, and actor Paul Newman, who played his trombone.

“All of these people came with a social point of view,” Belafonte recalled to Walsh. “That was my goal: to articulate a particular point of view. We were at the peak of social and political struggle in the country. America was awakened. The viewership was astounding.”

Shattering racial barriers and norms, 15 of 25 guests that week were African American. But for many Americans, the breakthrough is lost history; and by fate or coincidence, the only two interviews to survive are the tapes of Kennedy and King—which we’ll be publishing on TheNation.com.

Walsh continued: “Today, watching King and Kennedy come alive, in flickering black and white, conversing with the gentle but probing Belafonte, reminds us of our great loss. It hurts. Yet the intimate conversations just months before their awful murders shows that they didn’t have all the answers, either. I’ve always felt that in 1968 we’d lost the heroes who’d have magically led us into the new country we were struggling to become; yet they looked as lost as we are…. This is not to minimize the tragedy of their assassinations. It is just to say the country was headed for a reckoning, with racism, with poverty, and with the limits of America’s global role, that King and Kennedy might not have been able to make that any less painful.”

ABOUT: Joan Walsh, a national affairs correspondent for The Nation, is the author of What’s the Matter With White People? Finding Our Way in the Next America. She is a co-producer of the new documentary film, THE SIT IN: HARRY BELAFONTE HOSTS THE TONIGHT SHOW.

THE SIT-IN is a production of Big Beach and is directed by Yoruba Richen and executive produced by Joy Reid. Valerie Thomas and Joan Walsh serve as producers. Leah Holzer and Peter Saraf also executive produce. Belafonte appears in the film, along with Questlove and Whoopi Goldberg who recount the historic moment.

Founded by abolitionists in 1865, The Nation (@thenation) has chronicled the breadth and depth of political and cultural life from the debut of the telegraph to the rise of Twitter, serving as a critical, independent, and progressive voice in American journalism.

 

 

Urban Film Festival 2020

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5th Annual Urban Film Festival Partners with Black-Owned platform Urban Streaming Network; Announces Festival Dates | Sept. 4 -Sept. 14, 2020

MIAMI, FL. – Urban Film Festival (UFF) has announced a budding partnership with Urban Streaming Network (USN), a Black-owned streaming platform, for their upcoming 2020 festival. The partnership will allow them to virtually screen over 140 films, educational workshops, and live call-ins with industry professionals for free this Labor Day Weekend until Sept. 14th on the streaming platform.

In addition to the aforementioned, the highly anticipated festival will provide access to panel discussions, networking opportunities, and masterclasses by industry professionals sharing gems on the process of filmmaking from start to finish. The annual event typically takes place during Labor Day weekend in Miami’s Historic Overtown, however, due to COVID-19, Urban Film Festival has decided to include a new digital streaming component to this year’s programming.

Notable celebrities, influencers and participants include: Festival ambassadors Percy “Master P” Miller, Romeo Miller, Allen Maldonado, Philly Fly Boy, MariCarmen Lopez, John Gibson and many more.

Master P, Romeo and Urban Film Festival share a common passion of inspiring, encouraging, and supporting the growth of the up and coming film community through exposure and education.

“We are committed to pushing the culture forward one film at a time by providing filmmakers the tools and skills they need to thrive in this ever-changing industry,” said Marco (Mall) Molinet, co-founder of Florida Film House.

Content will stream continuously from 10 am to 10 pm on the Urban Film Festival website, where attendees will also be able to access the Urban Streaming Network. Festival-goers will be able to gain unlimited, free access to curated filmmaker’s content along with educational tools that can be screened until September 14, 2020.

The festival is possible with support from the City of Miami Commissioner Keon Hardemon, The Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, The City of Miami, Simkins Family Foundation, The Greater Miami Convention Visitors Bureau, Miami Dade County Arts, World Wide Urban Distribution, Franc Village Studios, Overtown Children’s Youth Coalition, 1st Take Youth Film Program and Florida Film House.

For more information and to register, please visit www.urbanfilmfestival.com

About Florida Film House
Florida Film House is a team of young, passionate filmmakers working together to tell the stories of their communities to their generation. We have filmed over 1,000 productions together as a team, while vertically integrating our business allowing us to underwrite the majority of expenses, positioning us the ability to develop content and films efficiently.

About Urban Streaming Network
USN is an OTT platform that streams live and curated content via multiple devices maximizing the exposure of the content and the advertising revenue capabilities. While allowing consumers options of how they would like to screen the content. AVOD with ads or SVOD with no ads with a monthly fee. Some content will also be TVOD depending on the content creators.

A Storybook Ending

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A new short film that was shown at the 2020 ABFF, by Writer/Director Lanre Olabisi. Look for the full interview in a upcoming issue of JO Magazine; while your waiting take a look at his other movies. ‘Somewhere in the Middle’ and ‘August the First.

Synopsis of ‘A Storybook Ending’:

When a black man accidentally kills a white cop in self-defense he tries to cover up the crime only to set off a chain reaction of deceit, blackmail, and murder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Action Thriller- Anonymous Killers

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Horror Thriller
ANONYMOUS KILLERS
premieres October 6

Five Captives. One deadly trial. Beyond judgement lies the truth. 

ANONYMOUS KILLERS was conceived by writer and director A.R. Hilton as an indictment of society for its hypocrisies – from its jury system to the death penalty to the American Dream – from the perspective of someone who’s been persecuted by the system.

In the film, four seasoned killers and one hapless professor awake in chains to discover they are part of a demented experiment orchestrated by a maniacal, mysterious captor. To decide their fate, they must share the motives behind their crimes as they face the judgement of their peers. The rules are non-negotiable and the outcome is clear: live or die. The moral compass spins frantically as all fight to justify their lives before the final vote is cast.

This new horror thriller premieres October 6, with a limited “Theater At Home” experience and a wider streaming release later in the month. In addition to featuring a talented and diverse ensemble cast, KILLERS moves beyond typical slash-and-kill horror movie plots to reveal social justice story arcs for each character. Those stories, combined with its surprising finale, will prompt viewers to contemplate and examine their own prejudices.

Instead of digital, Hilton chose to shoot on 35mm film to give KILLERS a more natural, grainy look than using filters applied to digital film would result in. This artistic choice also made Hilton eligible for the Panavision First Time Filmmaker Grant, which rewards first time filmmakers with up to a million dollars in Panavision cameras and gear. Panavision loved the script, and stuck with the crew through the entire four years it took to complete.

ANONYMOUS KILLERS
Directed & Written by: A.R. Hilton
Starring: Dominic Pace, Gabriela Lopez, Kevin Glikman,
Natasha Halabi, Nathanyael Gray, and Patrick Caberty
Running time: 100 minutes

The Power of the Female Vote

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AMAZON STUDIOS PRESENTS:

THE POWER OF THE FEMALE VOTE

The Power of the Female Vote’ will be a LIVE discussion with panelists Stacey Abrams (Fair Fight Action Founder), All In: The Fight For Democracy co-directors Lisa Cortés and Liz Garbus, philanthropist Tina Knowles-Lawson, and actresses/activists Yara Shahidi (Grown-ish) and Kelly McCreary (Grey’s Anatomy). Media personality Nina Parker will moderate this educational conversation of unique social and civic voices as they dive into the impact and importance of engaging women of all races on voting issues and initiatives. Tune in to watch these dynamic women discuss the history of voting rights, activism, and give a spotlight to the threats to U.S. civil rights; all issues highlighted in the new documentary.

Join Us Thursday, August 27 at 8 PM ET/5PM PT

Appearing at the 2020 ABFF

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KENYA BARRIS, MARY J. BLIGE, CURTIS ‘50 CENT’ JACKSON, BARRY JENKINS, GABRIELLE UNION, LENA WAITHE AND MORE TOPLINE PROGRAMMING SLATE FOR 2020 AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL

Ten Day Virtual Fest Available to Global Audience August 21-30

Features Mix of Live and On Demand Content

The first virtual edition of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), now in its 24th year, will feature a robust slate of speakers including Stacey Abrams, Kenya Barris, Mary J. Blige, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Barry Jenkins, Gabrielle Union and Lena Waithe, as well as panels ranging from the business of Hollywood to spotlights on new films and television series. The festival will offer a mix of live and on demand content from August 21st to 30th at abff.com.

Opening night will feature the HBO Short Film Competition, a platform which has been responsible for showcasing the early work of such industry notables as Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Ben Watkins (Hand of God) and Stephen Caple Jr. (Creed II) followed by a virtual version of ABFF’s legendary “White Party.” It will close with “The Best of American Black Film Festival Awards” Ceremony, hosted by Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker and simulcast on IMDb.com, followed by a post awards celebration. Presenters include: Lee Daniels (The United States vs. Billie Holiday), Laz Alonso (The Boys), Bevy Smith (BEVELATIONS) Logan Browning (Dear White People) and Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods).

Jemele Hill will host a Cadillac sponsored one-on-one conversation with Blige, who is this year’s festival ambassador. In addition to “Conversations With” Blige and Abrams, Angela Rye will moderate a discussion with Barris. Evening programming will also include “Comics on Comedy” hosted by Yvonne Orji (Insecure) featuring Lil Rel Howery (Get Out), a screening of Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn, presented by HBO, a first look at the highly anticipated Universal Pictures film, Candyman with director/co-writer Nia DaCosta, and a panel on the new animated series Woke from Sony Pictures Entertainment. Additional highlights include a conversation with directors Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard), Christine Swanson (The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel) and Jacqueline Olive (Always in Season). Amazon Studios presents a Hot at Amazon panel featuring Barry Jenkins, Lena Waithe and Tracy Oliver; a Garrett Bradley Time conversation as well as a discussion with Stacy Abrams. STARZ presents Power Book II: Ghost panel with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Michael Rainey Jr., Naturi Naughton, Mary J. Blige and Cliff “Method Man” Smith. Netflix brings a discussion with The 40-Year-Old Version writer/director Radha Blank.

There will be opportunities to meet the filmmakers from the competitive categories, panel discussions on “The Hollywood Executive Experience Through The Black Lens,“ ”Navigating the Network and Studio Process,” and ”Black Female Perspectives on Directing and Storytelling” among others. The 90 films featured during the program will be available on demand for the duration of the festival. The schedule is available here.

“We are gratified by the outpouring of industry support for this year’s ABFF, creating an opportunity for us to reach a global audience with a broad range of compelling content both live and on demand,” said Jeff Friday, founder and CEO ABFF Ventures. “Although we plan to be back in Miami for 2021, this year’s virtual festival enables us to engage with an audience that might never be able to attend a destination event. Thanks to our sponsors and everyone who participated, we are able to deliver provocative conversation and compelling entertainment when our community most needs it.”

Sponsors to date include WarnerMedia, HBO® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Presenting Sponsors); Comcast NBCUniversal, Amazon Studios (Premier Sponsors); Cadillac, Sony Pictures Entertainment, IMDb, Netflix, Motion Picture Association (MPA), Jeff Friday Media, Prudential Financial, Starz, a Lionsgate company UMC, Verizon Media (Official Sponsors); AspireTV, Facebook, Morgan Stanley, and Universal Production Music (Supporting Sponsors); Blackfilm.com, Film Independent, and Variety (Marketing Partners).

For more information on ABFF and up-to-date news, go to abff.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook. Join in on the conversation by using #ABFF20 and #ABFF.

New Indie Horror Officially Selected at Screamfest 2020

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Studio 660 Productions and Seraphic Productions are thrilled to announce their second collaboration, ‘Sclera Absentia’ is an official selection of Screamfest LA 2020

This marks the second collaboration of writer/director James Furlong and producer Elizabeth Lloyd. After the success of their first short ‘An Unpleasant Surprise’ picking up a handful of awards in 2019 the pair decided to go big with ‘Sclera Absentia.’

“We are beyond thrilled with this selection, its an honor to be selected for such a huge genre festival”

We need a Uplifting flick right now. The Secret: Dare to Dream

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Dreaming is a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person’s mind during sleep. We often dream while we are sleeping. It looks like Holmes is awake  but will encounter many different scenario’s  throughout the film. The secret to life will be discovered in homes everywhere with this uplifting and hope-filled film. The feel-good romantic drama starring Katie Holmes, Josh Lucas, and Jerry O’Connell explores hope and gratitude in one’s darkest days, and reminds us that it’s never too late to believe again. The Secret: Dare to Dream is now available on Premium Video on Demand.

 

Ghostbusters Drive-In Suprise amid remake’s pushback

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Culver City, CA – August 16, 2020 – Jason Reitman introduces a screening of the original Ghostbusters at the Sony Pictures drive-in on the historic Sony Pictures lot.

 

Screenings of the original Ghostbusters film continued at drive-ins across the country due the global pandemic, yet at one special screening in Culver City, LA audiences got a special treat. The director of the upcoming new Ghostbusters film, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Jason Reitman introduced the film with the original ghostbusters mobile, the Ecto. Reitman making the speech at the historic Sony Lot was a special moment as the reboot Ghostbusters: Afterlife was set to release this summer. More details and the movie trailer below.

 

From director Jason Reitman and producer Ivan Reitman, comes the next chapter in the original Ghostbusters universe. In Ghostbusters: Afterlife, when a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind. The film is written by Jason Reitman & Gil Kenan. The cast includes: Carrie Coon Finn Wolfhard Mckenna Grace and Paul Rudd.

 

Culver City, CA – August 16, 2020 – Screening of the original GHOSTBUSTERS, at the Sony Pictures drive-in on the historic Sony Pictures lot.

 

“Sugar Daddy”A Romantic Thriller about Dating.

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   Sugar Daddy

Neal Lander Jr. Is a new writer from Ohio.  He has put together a story that will keep you turning the pages until the end. If you are looking for something exciting and new, check out this romantic thriller “Sugar Daddy” it may give you second thoughts about dating, actually staying in your own age group maybe the best thing to do.

https://www.authorhouse.com/en

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/

 

“GRIMEY”, from Billboard chart-topping singer-songwriter, PORCELAN.

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“GRIMEY”, from Billboard chart-topping singer-songwriter, PORCELAN. “GRIMEY” is lifted from PORCELAN’s upcoming debut album, “MOOD RING” to be released on September 25th, 2020, via the Made In Memphis Entertainment/Beat Root label imprint.  “GRIMEY” is available on all streaming and download platforms now. The single was written by Porcelan, Denarious Holmes and Brandon Christian and produced by Topski. “I really wanted to speak about some of the ugly moments of being in a relationship and when you give that special person chance after chance to make things right and they simply continue to turn around and disappoint you,” mentions Porcelan. “But then there is that one day that you say enough is enough and you call them out on their “grimey-ness” and see that they were never good for you, so they have to go,” she adds.

  Jamie Fox Stars in Project Power Coming Soon tNetflix

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Jamie Fox as Art

On the streets of New Orleans, word begins to spread about a mysterious new pill that unlocks superpowers unique to each user. The catch: You don’t know what will happen until you take it. While some develop bulletproof skin, invisibility, and super strength, others exhibit a deadlier reaction. But when the pill escalates crime within the city to dangerous levels, a local cop (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) teams with a teenage dealer (Dominique Fishback) and a former soldier fueled by a secret vendetta (Jamie Foxx) to fight power with power and risk taking the pill in order to track down and stop the group responsible for creating it. Starring Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dominique Fishback, Rodrigo Santoro, Colson Baker, Allen Maldonado, with Amy Landecker, and Courtney B. Vance

JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT as FRANK in PROJECT POWER Cr. SKIP BOLEN/NETFLIX © 2020

 

Quibi Presents: The Fugitive A Highly Exciting Thriller that makes you say Yikes!

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Starring Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland and Boyd Holbrook star in this edge-of-your-seat crime thriller from the creator of Most Dangerous Game and co-executive producer of Prison Break in which an innocent man on the run, desperate to clear his name, is chased through Los Angeles by the cop who will not rest until he is captured. This action packed thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat. Directed By Stephen Hopkins.

Nia Long and Omar Epps star in Netflix Original Thriller Fatal Affair

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FATAL AFFAIR: (L-R) OMAR EPPS as DAVID, NIA LONG as ELLIE. Cr. BETH DUBBER/NETFLIX © 2020

 

Another Netflix original is coming to your living room on July 16th called Fatal Affair. The film uses the tried and true formula of an obsessed yet attractive stranger swooping in and attempting to break up a happy couple. Can Nia long take a page from Jada’s book and survive this entanglement? Here’s the scoop via Netflix’s press release.

“Ellie (Nia Long) tries to mend her marriage with her husband Marcus (Stephen Bishop) after a brief encounter with an old friend, David (Omar Epps), only to find that David is more dangerous and unstable than she’d realized. Fatal Affair is directed by Peter Sullivan.”

SNL’s Michael Che Stars in New HBO Max Comedy Series

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LOS ANGELES – July 14, 2020 – HBO Max announced today a six-episode order for Untitled Michael Che Project (wt), an original sketch comedy series starring Michael Che (Saturday Night Live, Michael Che Matters). Each episode follows a theme or incident, (police brutality, unemployment, falling in love, etc.), and uses sketches and vignettes to illustrate what it feels like to experience this from a black vantage point. It’s less about being “right” and more about being honest, even at the risk of being controversial.

“Michael brings a distinct comedic perspective as he illustrates the uncomfortable truths across multiple topics” said Suzanna Makkos, Executive Vice President of Original Comedy and Animation for HBO Max. “We look forward to sharing his unique vision and necessary point of view with our audiences.”

Kevin Reilly, Chief Content Officer HBO Max and President TNT, TBS, and TruTV  added “Che is an amazing talent and comic voice and,of course, another opportunity to collaborate with Broadway Video and my friend Lorne is an added benefit.”

“I’m really excited to be working on this show with HBO Max” said Che. “It’s a project I’ve been thinking about for a while and we have a lot of sketches we want to shoot so please wear your masks so that we can go into production.”
 
Untitled Michael Che Project is produced by Universal TV, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Broadway Video, with Che, Lorne Michaels, and Erin Doyle serving as executive producers.

Kevin Hart film “Die Hart” Coming Soon to Quibi

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Actor/Comedian Kevin Hart is the next household name to lend their star-power to the new streaming service Quibi. The company is a mobile based entertainment app that plays short form films and tv shows. Actors like Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones), Dwayne Johnson, Lebron James, Chrissy Teigen and more are leading their own projects on the platform with more to come.

While Quibi confused many consumers as a relatively new style of watching content, the short duration, celebrity talent and unique stories are garnering buzz for the company.

In DIE HART, Kevin Hart plays a fictionalized version of himself who’s tired of being the comedic sidekick. He gets his wish when a famous director offers him his dream – to be a leading man action star – but there’s a catch: Kevin must first train at the world’s greatest action star school, run by a lunatic. Pushed to his limits by this action school coach and a tough-minded rival student (Nathalie Emmanuel) Kevin must survive a series of hilarious, over-the-top action sequences and face his fears if he wants to achieve his dream and land the role of a lifetime.

Die Hart launches on Quibi July 20th.

Dayton’s Human Race Theater Releases 2021 Schedule

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Dayton Ohio’s Human Race Theater releases their Theatrical Lineup for 2021, having to rearrange their schedules like so many due to COVID-19. Check out the letter from the Executive Director of the Human Race Theater.

The Human Race Theatre Company Announces Changes to 34th Season Schedule

A letter from Kappy Kilburn and Kevin Moore

The Human Race Theatre Company would like to thank our artists, audiences and community for their support and commitment to our work during this troublesome time. We could not continue to do what we do without that support. Since March, when the pandemic forced us to close our season, we have worked with state and local officials, union representatives and other producers around the country to strategize reopening our theatre. We have listened to our audiences’ concerns about group gatherings and desires for a safe and celebratory return to LIVE theatre on our stage. After much thoughtful contemplation, we have decided to move forward with a new time frame for our full “Dayton Premieres” season. In order to provide the safest experience for our audience and our artists, we are moving the entire season into the 2021 calendar year and will reopen The Loft in February, 2021. Below is the new schedule. Additional information on each production can be found at www.humanracetheater.org

Charlize Theron stars in Netflix’s Summer Flick The Old Guard

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THE OLD GUARD (2020) – (L to R) Marwan Kenzari as Joe, Matthias Schoenaerts as Booker, Charlize Theron as Andy, Luca Marinelli as Nicky, Kiki Layne as Nile.
Photo Credit: AIMEE SPINKS/NETFLIX ©2020

With Summer Blockbuster season essentially canceled due to COVID-19, Netflix and other streaming services have dominated the entertainment landscape. The Old Guard is Netflix’s at-home summer action blockbuster for all the audiences that can’t make it to the theater.

The Netlfix original is Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (love & Basketball, Shots Fired) and stars Oscar Award winning actress Charlize Theron who also serves as a producer on the project. The crew in front of and behind the camera seems diverse and perfect for the current times.

 Cr. AMY SPINKS/NETFLIX © 2020

 

The Old Guard follows a warrior named Andy (Charlize Theron), and a covert group of tight-knit mercenaries with a mysterious inability to die who have fought to protect the mortal world for centuries. But when the team is recruited to take on an emergency mission and their extraordinary abilities are suddenly exposed, it’s up to Andy and Nile (KiKi Layne), the newest soldier to join their ranks, to help the group eliminate the threat of those who seek to replicate and monetize their power by any means necessary. Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Greg Rucka, The Old Guard is a gritty, grounded, action-packed story that shows living forever is harder than it looks.

Check out the trailer here.

 

 

Brian McKnight’s New Album Exodus Now Available

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R&B legend Brian McKnight is back with 20th studio album Exodus. This marks the award winning sing-songwriters 20th album. According to McKnight this will be his final release of original material. If McKnight keeps his word, he will have left his fans and the wider music-world an incredible legacy of hit singles and albums. We all look forward to the day Brian returns to the road to perform his songs for sold-out crowds all over the world, but until that day arrives you can purchase, stream, download, “Exodus” today!

Exodus is globally available on all streaming and download today, check here EXODUS by BRIAN MCKNIGHT.

Nobody is the 1st single off the album and Brian McKnight brings the touching and emotional visuals he’s know for. The video even has footage from his actual wedding ceremony!

Check out the visualizer for another hot song off the album, called Bad

Exodus encompasses 13 tunes with signature Brian love songs, a poignant emotional tribute and a surprise cover-song performed as only Brian McKnight could.

EXODUS TRACKLIST:
1. Unbelievable
2. Neva Get Enuf Of U
3. ’42 (Grown Up Tipsy)
4. Nobody
5. Bad
6. Stay On UR Mind
7. My Baby
8. Hula Girl (Leilani)
9. Sexy
10. When I’m Gone
11. Good Ol’ Fashioned Love
12. Can’t Say Goodbye
13. Fragile

Via Press Release