Film Independent and Netflix Put Black Directors in the Spotlight
23/02/2021
Film Independent and Netflix Put Black Directors in the SpotlightLisa Hasko
Director of Artist Development, Film Independent
Rachel Samuels
Manager, Netflix Film Club
Play Video
Play Video
Social Impact
22 February 2021
United States
Last year, Netflix Film Club launched as a YouTube channel offering behind-the-scenes videos, celebrity interviews and more, for cinephiles new and old. As the channel's community grew, so did its ambition to highlight underrepresented voices.
So we're excited about a new partnership between Film Independent and the Netflix Film Club. Together we were able to develop a program to fund short films from five promising independent Black filmmakers that are premiering on Netflix Film Club.
This grew out of the partnership Netflix and Film Independent have had for years. Through it, Film Independent introduced Netflix to Project Involve, which supports filmmakers from diverse backgrounds through mentorships, workshops, short film creation, and networking events. In July of 2020, 45 nominated fellows from Film Independent's Artist Development Labs and Project Involve program were invited to submit pitches for the Netflix Film Club under the banner of Vision 2020. Our goal was to inspire and empower filmmakers to tell their stories amidst a pandemic and social unrest. Five were selected to make their shorts, each receiving a $10,000 grant.
After months of writing, directing and editing, the films begin rolling out today, starting with Black Prom by Nijla Mu'min - with a new short premiering every day this week. All five will be available to watch on both Netflix Film Club and Strong Black Lead to help mark Black History Month. Among them: a biopic about Black aviatrix Bessie Coleman, a documentary on a mother's journey with her son getting Covid in prison, a horror story about a family's move to the suburbs, a drama following a Black teenager's unconventional prom night, and a documentary hybrid examining the complicated relationship between artist and muse.
We invite you to check them all out and discuss these with your fellow film fans.
Find out more on the five filmmakers below and click here for stills from the five shorts.
Sheldon Candis ( Queen Bess )
Baltimore native Sheldon Candis is a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Candis' feature directorial debut LUV was an official selection in the 2012 Sundance Film Festival Dramatic Competition. Candis directed the feature length documentary Baltimore Boys for the ESPN Films banner, and Who Will Survive America for the Sundance Now Doc Club original series Take 5: Justice in America. Recently, Candis wrapped production on When the Lights are the Brightest, the next chapter of the video game series NBA 2K.
Jarrett Lee Conaway ( My Brother Jesus )
Jarrett Lee Conaway holds an MFA in Film Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. His feature directing debut, the teen comedy Mono, was released on Netflix in 2016. Conaway directed the horror comedy web series Bite Me, which earned three Streamy Award nominations and was viewed over 35 million times.
Ellie Foumbi ( Home )
Originally from Cameroon, Ellie Foumbi holds an MFA from Columbia University's School of the Arts in Directing. Foumbi made her TV directorial debut on BET's Tales. She was a finalist of the 2019/2020 Venice Biennale Cinema College with her first feature, Our Father, the Devil, which will be presented at the 78th Venice International Film Festival and will participate in IFP's 2020 project Forum.
Nijla Mu'min ( Black Prom )
Nijla Mumin is an Easy Bay Area native and a 2013 graduate of CalArts MFA Film Directing and Creative Writing programs. Her debut feature film, Jinn, won the Special Jury Recognition Award for Screenwriting at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival. She has directed episodes of Queen Sugar and Insecure, and recently wrote for the upcoming series Swagger. She is currently developing her second feature film, Mosswood Park.
Frederick Thornton ( Injustice System )
Frederick Thornton is a Spirit Award nominated and Gotham Award-winning Black filmmaker. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Thornton is a graduate of Chapman University, where he completed a BA in Psychology. His latest produced feature, Go Back To China, premiered at SXSW in 2019. He is currently in pre-production on his narrative directorial debut short film, October Mourning.
LINK: | https://about.netflix.com/en/news/film-independent-and-netflix-put-bla... |
See more stories from netflix |
More from Netflix
25/04/2024
Let the Pleasure Begin: Doctor Climax' and Its Steamy Q&A Column Debut June 13
Back to All News Let the Pleasure Begin: Doctor Climax' and Its Steamy Q&A...
25/04/2024
Netflix Joins 'The Thursday Murder Club'
Back to All News Netflix Joins The Thursday Murder Club Entertainment 25 April 2024 Global Link copied to clipboard Writer, Director: Chris Columbus Prod...
24/04/2024
Drawing Closer' Teaser Offers a Glimpse into Heartfelt Japanese Romance Ahead of June 27 Premiere
Back to All News Drawing Closer' Teaser Offers a Glimpse into Heartfelt Ja...
24/04/2024
My Oni Girl' Trailer Unveils a World Where Suppressed Emotions Can Transform You
Back to All News My Oni Girl' Trailer Unveils a World Where Suppressed Emo...
23/04/2024
Meet Five of Seoul's Most Glamorous Elite in Super Rich in Korea' Official Trailer
Back to All News Meet Five of Seoul's Most Glamorous Elite in Super Rich i...
23/04/2024
Who's In for Something Really Fun? The Curtain Rises on The 8 Show' with Thrilling Teaser Trailer and Character Posters
Back to All News Who's In for Something Really Fun ? The Curtain Rises on ...
23/04/2024
Celebrating World Book Day: How Netflix Adaptations Are Driving Bestseller Lists
Back to All News Celebrating World Book Day: How Netflix Adaptations Are Driving Bestseller Lists Entertainment 23 April 2024 Global Link copied to clipboa...
23/04/2024
Top 10 Week of Apr. 15: Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver' Debuts at #1; Baby Reindeer' Rises to the Top
Back to All News Top 10 Week of Apr. 15: Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver&...
22/04/2024
Netflix Confirms Thriller Wall to Wall' by Rising Director Kim Tae-joon, Starring Kang Ha-neul, Yeom Hye-ran and Seo Hyun-woo
Back to All News Netflix Confirms Thriller Wall to Wall' by Rising Directo...
22/04/2024
Netflix Reveals Cast of 65 Actors for Joko Anwar's Nightmares and Daydreams', Streaming June 14
Back to All News Netflix Reveals Cast of 65 Actors for Joko Anwar's Nightm...
22/04/2024
Step Into the Ring on May 23: Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf' Unveils Pulse-Pounding Trailer
Back to All News Step Into the Ring on May 23: Garouden: The Way of the Lone W...
22/04/2024
Inspiring Sustainability Stories From Every Genre to Celebrate Earth Week
Back to All News Inspiring Sustainability Stories From Every Genre to Celebrate Earth Week Entertainment 22 April 2024 Global Link copied to clipboard At ...
19/04/2024
'Fight for Paradise: Who Can You Trust?' - A New Reality Show About Life in Paradise or Hell - Moderated by Bonnie Strange
Back to All News Fight for Paradise: Who Can You Trust? - A New Reality Show Ab...
19/04/2024
FIGHT FOR PARADISE: WHO CAN YOU TRUST? - A new reality show about life in paradise or hell - moderated by Bonnie Strange
Back to All News FIGHT FOR PARADISE: WHO CAN YOU TRUST? - A new reality show ab...
19/04/2024
Fryshuset and Netflix Collaborate to Support Tomorrow's Talent in the Film and TV Industry
Back to All News Fryshuset and Netflix Collaborate to Support Tomorrows Talent ...
18/04/2024
Netflix Announces Production of Last Samurai Standing': An Epic Battle Royale for Survival in Historic Japan
Back to All News Netflix Announces Production of Last Samurai Standing': A...
18/04/2024
Netflix Follows Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in New Series
Back to All News Netflix Follows Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in New SeriesPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 18 April 2024 GlobalUnited States Link copie...
18/04/2024
Chinese-Language Revenge Thriller Series The Resurrected' Marks International Film Stars Shu Qi and Sinje Lee's Debut on Netflix
Back to All News Chinese-Language Revenge Thriller Series The Resurrected'...
18/04/2024
'The Witcher' Season 4 Begins Production in the UK and Netflix Announces Fifth and Final Season
Back to All News The Witcher Season 4 Begins Production in the UK and Netflix A...
17/04/2024
Netflix Presents a First Look at Scenes From 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'
Back to All News Netflix Presents a First Look at Scenes From One Hundred Years...
16/04/2024
Go on Time-Traveling Adventures with Bon and Friends in New TP BON' Trailer
Back to All News Go on Time-Traveling Adventures with Bon and Friends in New T P BON' TrailerPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 16 April 2024 GlobalJ...
16/04/2024
Alert the Ton: Bowral Takes Centre Stage for a Week-Long Bridgerton' Celebration
Back to All News Alert the Ton: Bowral Takes Centre Stage for a Week-Long Brid...
16/04/2024
Netflix Announces Start of Production of Second Season of 'High Tides'
Back to All News Netflix Announces Start of Production of Second Season of High Tides Credits: Mayli Sterkendries Entertainment 16 April 2024 GlobalNetherl...
16/04/2024
Netflix and MVP Announce Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano to Stream Exclusively on Netflix on July 20th
Back to All News Netflix and MVP Announce Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano to Str...
16/04/2024
Top 10 Week of Apr. 8: 3 Body Problem' Spends Third Week at #1
Back to All News Top 10 Week of Apr. 8: 3 Body Problem' Spends Third Week at #1 Entertainment 16 April 2024 Global Link copied to clipboard 3 Body Pr...
15/04/2024
Start of production of 'Un fantasma en la batalla', the latest movie by Agustin Diaz Yanes
Back to All News Start of production of Un fantasma en la batalla, the latest m...
12/04/2024
We Will Buy Your Time: The 8 Show' Promises High Stakes on May 17
Back to All News We Will Buy Your Time : The 8 Show' Promises High Stakes on May 17Play Video Play Video Entertainment 12 April 2024 GlobalSouth Kore...
12/04/2024
Trailer for Goodbye Earth' Explores Life Amidst the Countdown to Doomsday
Back to All News Trailer for Goodbye Earth' Explores Life Amidst the Countdown to DoomsdayPlay Video Play Video Entertainment 12 April 2024 GlobalSout...
11/04/2024
Mon Laferte and Netflix Announce Their Upcoming Documentary and Premiere Date
Back to All News Mon Laferte and Netflix Announce Their Upcoming Documentary and Premiere Date Entertainment 11 April 2024 GlobalChile Link copied to clipb...
11/04/2024
Mon Laferte and Netflix announce their upcoming documentary and the date of its premiere
Back to All News Mon Laferte and Netflix announce their upcoming documentary an...
10/04/2024
Ensemble Cast Joins Sofia Carson In The Romantic Comedy Film 'The Life List'
Back to All News Ensemble Cast Joins Sofia Carson In The Romantic Comedy Film T...
10/04/2024
Netflix Announces a New Comedy Series From Tom Segura
Back to All News Netflix Announces a New Comedy Series From Tom Segura Credit: Shaun Nix Entertainment 10 April 2024 GlobalUnited States Link copied to cl...
09/04/2024
Behind the Scenes: Inside the Immersive Universe of Parasyte: The Grey'
Back to All News Behind the Scenes: Inside the Immersive Universe of Parasyte: The Grey'Play Video Play Video Entertainment 17 April 2024 GlobalSouth ...
09/04/2024
Colin Farrell to Star in Edward Berger's 'The Ballad of a Small Player' for Netflix
Back to All News Colin Farrell to Star in Edward Bergers The Ballad of a Small ...
09/04/2024
Top 10 Week of Apr. 1: 3 Body Problem' Holds Strong at #1
Back to All News Top 10 Week of Apr. 1: 3 Body Problem' Holds Strong at #1 Entertainment 09 April 2024 Global Link copied to clipboard 3 Body Problem...
08/04/2024
Netflix Announces Entire Cast of 'Ferry 2'
Back to All News Netflix Announces Entire Cast of Ferry 2 Frank Lammers & Huub Smit Entertainment 08 April 2024 GlobalBelgium Link copied to clipboard Ne...
08/04/2024
Listen Up: Filming for the Fifth and Final Season of 'Sintonia' Has Begun
Back to All News Listen Up: Filming for the Fifth and Final Season of Sintonia ...
08/04/2024
Netflix Unveils Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Epic Series 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' with Riveting Trailer
Back to All News Netflix Unveils Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Epic Series Heeramandi:...
08/04/2024
City Hunter' Trailer Debuts an Adrenaline-Packed, Exhilarating Entertainment Experience
Back to All News City Hunter' Trailer Debuts an Adrenaline-Packed, Exhilar...
08/04/2024
Netflix ISP Speed Index for March 2024
Back to All News Netflix ISP Speed Index for March 2024 Mulitcolor streaks on a black background curved right to foreground with the Netflix logo N at the top...
08/04/2024
'John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's In LA' Will Stream Live on Netflix Over Six Nights During Netflix is a Joke Fest
Back to All News John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's In LA Will Stream Live ...
05/04/2024
Director Makoto Shinkai's Suzume' Streams on Netflix Around the World From April 6
Back to All News Director Makoto Shinkais Suzume' Streams on Netflix Aroun...
04/04/2024
Seeing is Believing: How The Believers' Delivered a Gripping Exploration of Faith and Finance
Back to All News Seeing is Believing: How The Believers' Delivered a Gripp...
02/04/2024
Lady Whistledown (Under), Bridgerton Is Coming To Bowral!
Back to All News Lady Whistledown (Under), Bridgerton Is Coming To Bowral! Entertainment 02 April 2024 GlobalAustralia Link copied to clipboard Regency ro...
02/04/2024
Top 10 Week of Mar. 25: 3 Body Problem' Is #1
Back to All News Top 10 Week of Mar. 25: 3 Body Problem' Is #1 Entertainment 02 April 2024 Global Link copied to clipboard 3 Body Problem, the sci-fi...
28/03/2024
Claire Danes to Star in and Executive Produce Netflix Limited Series 'The Beast In Me'
Back to All News Claire Danes to Star in and Executive Produce Netflix Limited ...
28/03/2024
Netflix Announces Agatha Christie Series 'The Seven Dials Mystery' by 'Broadchurch' Writer Chris Chibnall
Back to All News Netflix Announces Agatha Christie Series The Seven Dials Myste...