The lineup for the 28th edition of the American Black Film Festival continues to get more star studded with the world premiere of the second season of Kerry Washington’s Hulu series “UnPrisoned.”
Washington will attend the Miami Beach-based festival to celebrate the premiere and sit for a fireside chat with fellow executive producer Tracy McMillan, who created the series based on her life.
The Special Screenings lineup also features world premieres of documentaries “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys,” about the Wu-Tang Clan founding member, and “Down in the Valley,” inspired the world of the hit Starz series “P-Valley,” plus a screening of the classic “Devil in a Blue Dress,” as part of the Denzel Washington Retrospective.
The HBO Short Film Award Showcase will kick off the film festival program on June 12, hosted by Sirius Xm’s Bevy Smith (“Bevelations”). Five filmmakers are selected as finalists, and...
Washington will attend the Miami Beach-based festival to celebrate the premiere and sit for a fireside chat with fellow executive producer Tracy McMillan, who created the series based on her life.
The Special Screenings lineup also features world premieres of documentaries “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys,” about the Wu-Tang Clan founding member, and “Down in the Valley,” inspired the world of the hit Starz series “P-Valley,” plus a screening of the classic “Devil in a Blue Dress,” as part of the Denzel Washington Retrospective.
The HBO Short Film Award Showcase will kick off the film festival program on June 12, hosted by Sirius Xm’s Bevy Smith (“Bevelations”). Five filmmakers are selected as finalists, and...
- 5/15/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has set its lineup of narrative and documentary features for its 28th edition, including Jussie Smollett’s return to acting in “The Lost Holliday,” filmmaker Christine Swanson’s latest drama “Albany Road” and the acclaimed Luther Vandross doc “Never Too Much.”
This year’s festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach, Fla., followed by a virtual segment June 17-24 on ABFF Play. Winners of film festival competition will be announced on June 15, during the “Best of ABFF Awards” hosted by Emmy-nominee Dondré Whitfield.
The 2024 narrative lineup includes “Albany Road,” directed and written by Swanson, starring Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield and J. Alphonse Nicholson; “The Lost Holliday” directed by, co-written and starring Smollett alongside Vivica A. Fox, produced by Mona Scott-Young; “The Waterboyz,” directed by Coke Daniels and produced by Ben Crump, starring Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony and Quavo; and “Black Heat,...
This year’s festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach, Fla., followed by a virtual segment June 17-24 on ABFF Play. Winners of film festival competition will be announced on June 15, during the “Best of ABFF Awards” hosted by Emmy-nominee Dondré Whitfield.
The 2024 narrative lineup includes “Albany Road,” directed and written by Swanson, starring Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield and J. Alphonse Nicholson; “The Lost Holliday” directed by, co-written and starring Smollett alongside Vivica A. Fox, produced by Mona Scott-Young; “The Waterboyz,” directed by Coke Daniels and produced by Ben Crump, starring Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony and Quavo; and “Black Heat,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Luke Tennie (Shrinking) has boarded Oscar nom RaMell Ross’ feature The Nickel Boys, based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer-winning novel of the same name.
The film from MGM’s Orion Pictures is based on the true story of a Florida reform school that damaged the lives of thousands of children over more than a century. Its protagonist is Elwood Curtis, a Black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee who is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, then finding himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors.
Tennie will play Griff, a student boxer at Nickel Academy. He joins an ensemble including Aunjanue Ellis, Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater and Fred Hechinger. Ross and Louverture Films’ Joslyn Barnes adapted the screenplay. Plan B Entertainment, Anonymous Content and Barnes are producing, with Whitehead serving as exec producer.
Tennie will next be seen starring opposite Jason Segel...
The film from MGM’s Orion Pictures is based on the true story of a Florida reform school that damaged the lives of thousands of children over more than a century. Its protagonist is Elwood Curtis, a Black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee who is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, then finding himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors.
Tennie will play Griff, a student boxer at Nickel Academy. He joins an ensemble including Aunjanue Ellis, Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater and Fred Hechinger. Ross and Louverture Films’ Joslyn Barnes adapted the screenplay. Plan B Entertainment, Anonymous Content and Barnes are producing, with Whitehead serving as exec producer.
Tennie will next be seen starring opposite Jason Segel...
- 12/2/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Summer has ended, and school is in session as Quinta Brunson and Abbott Elementary taught a masterclass at the 6th Annual Black Reel TV Awards presented by idobi.
Brunson and her freshman comedy, Abbott Elementary proved that it’s just simple math as they racked up seven wins at this year’s Black Reel Television Awards. She won four awards on her own as she received Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary and Outstanding Guest Actress for A Black Lady Sketch Show. Brunson triumphed in a surprise upset of the comedy actress category over Issa Rae, the sentimental favorite, in her farewell season of Insecure.
While Glover led the pack in individual nominations with five, he was able to take home one win for Outstanding Actor, Comedy Series for Atlanta.
HBO cashed in on their record 40 nominations this...
Brunson and her freshman comedy, Abbott Elementary proved that it’s just simple math as they racked up seven wins at this year’s Black Reel Television Awards. She won four awards on her own as she received Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary and Outstanding Guest Actress for A Black Lady Sketch Show. Brunson triumphed in a surprise upset of the comedy actress category over Issa Rae, the sentimental favorite, in her farewell season of Insecure.
While Glover led the pack in individual nominations with five, he was able to take home one win for Outstanding Actor, Comedy Series for Atlanta.
HBO cashed in on their record 40 nominations this...
- 8/15/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Bvlgari and Tribeca Studios have recruited Oscar-nominee Cynthia Erivo to host its Female Trailblazers Series focused on highlighting resilient and extraordinary women through short films.
On Monday, the singer-actress will host virtual panels for two films, Lot 448 and Ezinma. The series, which starts at 6 p.m. Et, will kick off with Bella Monticelli’s Lot 448. Monticelli’s short work follows an art activist as she attempts to stop a rare artifact from falling into corrupt hands.
Ezinma, from Alison Chernick, follows a violinist who is revolutionizing the world of classical music. The titular character takes her rigorous classical training and transforms it into a fresh, radical and intersectional genre of her own, gaining the recognition of notable artists including Beyoncé.
The two films are among the six titles produced across Bvlgari’s three-year partnership with Tribeca Studios and the final to premiere in association with Tribeca Film Festival. The complete...
On Monday, the singer-actress will host virtual panels for two films, Lot 448 and Ezinma. The series, which starts at 6 p.m. Et, will kick off with Bella Monticelli’s Lot 448. Monticelli’s short work follows an art activist as she attempts to stop a rare artifact from falling into corrupt hands.
Ezinma, from Alison Chernick, follows a violinist who is revolutionizing the world of classical music. The titular character takes her rigorous classical training and transforms it into a fresh, radical and intersectional genre of her own, gaining the recognition of notable artists including Beyoncé.
The two films are among the six titles produced across Bvlgari’s three-year partnership with Tribeca Studios and the final to premiere in association with Tribeca Film Festival. The complete...
- 1/28/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario and Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Stacey Abrams, Kenya Barris, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Barry Jenkins, Gabrielle Union, Jemele Hill, Angela Rye, and Lena Waithe have been added to the lineup for the virtual edition of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), which will run from Aug 21-30. The fest, now in its 24th year also includes panels ranging from the business of Hollywood to spotlights on new films and television.
Evening programming will include Comics on Comedy hosted by newly-minted Emmy nominee Yvonne Orji (Insecure) with Lil Rel Howery (Get Out), a first look at Universal’s Candyman with director/co-writer Nia DaCosta, and a panel on the new animated series Woke from Sony.
Directors Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard), Christine Swanson (The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel) and Jacqueline Olive (Always in Season) will also be present for conversations. Amazon Studios is hosting a panel featuring Jenkins, Waithe and Tracy Oliver, Starz has a...
Evening programming will include Comics on Comedy hosted by newly-minted Emmy nominee Yvonne Orji (Insecure) with Lil Rel Howery (Get Out), a first look at Universal’s Candyman with director/co-writer Nia DaCosta, and a panel on the new animated series Woke from Sony.
Directors Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard), Christine Swanson (The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel) and Jacqueline Olive (Always in Season) will also be present for conversations. Amazon Studios is hosting a panel featuring Jenkins, Waithe and Tracy Oliver, Starz has a...
- 8/7/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
This story about Aunjanue Ellis and “The Clark Sisters” first appeared in the Limited Series & Movies issue of TheWrap’s Emmy magazine.
Aunjanue Ellis really wanted to get the voice right, but she just couldn’t do it. In the Lifetime movie “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel,” she was playing Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, a gifted choral director and gospel musician who led her five daughters to Grammy-winning success. But try as she might, Ellis was never happy in her attempts to capture Clark’s distinctive raspy voice.
“I wanted to re-create that sound,” she said. “I would scream into a pillow, or go in the closet and scream in the closet before the director called action. I tried to injure my voice, and there are times in the movie where I do sound like her — but not as much as I wanted to.”
But Ellis, who was...
Aunjanue Ellis really wanted to get the voice right, but she just couldn’t do it. In the Lifetime movie “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel,” she was playing Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, a gifted choral director and gospel musician who led her five daughters to Grammy-winning success. But try as she might, Ellis was never happy in her attempts to capture Clark’s distinctive raspy voice.
“I wanted to re-create that sound,” she said. “I would scream into a pillow, or go in the closet and scream in the closet before the director called action. I tried to injure my voice, and there are times in the movie where I do sound like her — but not as much as I wanted to.”
But Ellis, who was...
- 6/24/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
With almost all of Hollywood and large swaths of America and the world under stay-at-home orders because of the coronavirus pandemic, a digital conversation with some of the leading filmmakers of our time never seemed like a better idea than right now.
Which is exactly what Ava DuVernay and Array will be kicking off at 9 Am Pt today with now 60 directors participating in the its fourth filmmaker tweet-a-thon – see the full 10-hour schedule below and follow with #ARRAYNow
“We hope today’s day-long Q&a feels like a virtual group hug from filmmakers to film fans,” DuVernay told Deadline as the When They See Us helmer prepared to start the show this morning. “Everyone at Array just wanted to create a space for positivity and community during these tense times,” the Oscar nominee added. “The fact that 60 filmmakers of color and women directors answered our call is beautiful and we...
Which is exactly what Ava DuVernay and Array will be kicking off at 9 Am Pt today with now 60 directors participating in the its fourth filmmaker tweet-a-thon – see the full 10-hour schedule below and follow with #ARRAYNow
“We hope today’s day-long Q&a feels like a virtual group hug from filmmakers to film fans,” DuVernay told Deadline as the When They See Us helmer prepared to start the show this morning. “Everyone at Array just wanted to create a space for positivity and community during these tense times,” the Oscar nominee added. “The fact that 60 filmmakers of color and women directors answered our call is beautiful and we...
- 4/30/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
The Lifetime network has long had a reputation for mediocre films and dramas with a campy aesthetic.In recent years, it has made an effort to distance itself from that renown, investing in the kind of content that draws a larger, more mainstream audience — and hopefully awards — as well as overall industry esteem. One such project just might be the biopic, “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel,” which premiered on April 11 to much fanfare, especially resonating most with one specific demo: black women. As a man who watched the film, and didn’t quite understand its appeal, instead of writing a critique of it, I asked black women viewers to share their thoughts on why it resounded so much.
To be sure, Lifetime hasn’t completely abandoned the kind of tabloidy women-in-peril stories that they once thrived on, but it has bolstered its efforts recently with Emmy-nominated films, from...
To be sure, Lifetime hasn’t completely abandoned the kind of tabloidy women-in-peril stories that they once thrived on, but it has bolstered its efforts recently with Emmy-nominated films, from...
- 4/13/2020
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Lorena Bobbitt’s story is getting the biopic treatment.
Lifetime has greenlit “I Was Lorena Bobbitt,” a feature about the woman who became a household name and made tabloid headlines when she cut off her husband’s penis with a knife in 1993 after years of abuse.
Bobbitt was the subject of a Jordan Peele-produced Amazon docuseries which came out less than a year ago, and this new retelling has Bobbitt herself on board as an executive producer. Casting on the project is underway and production will begin later this month. The film, announced by A+E Networks president of programming Rob Sharenow at Lifetime’s Television Critics’ Association winter tour press day, will follow Bobbitt’s “journey from a wide-eyed, immigrant bride to a battered wife into an unlikely media sensation.”
“I Was Lorena Bobbitt” hails from Cineflix International and executive producers Andy Streitfeld, Jeff Vanderwal and Charles Tremayne. Barbara Nance...
Lifetime has greenlit “I Was Lorena Bobbitt,” a feature about the woman who became a household name and made tabloid headlines when she cut off her husband’s penis with a knife in 1993 after years of abuse.
Bobbitt was the subject of a Jordan Peele-produced Amazon docuseries which came out less than a year ago, and this new retelling has Bobbitt herself on board as an executive producer. Casting on the project is underway and production will begin later this month. The film, announced by A+E Networks president of programming Rob Sharenow at Lifetime’s Television Critics’ Association winter tour press day, will follow Bobbitt’s “journey from a wide-eyed, immigrant bride to a battered wife into an unlikely media sensation.”
“I Was Lorena Bobbitt” hails from Cineflix International and executive producers Andy Streitfeld, Jeff Vanderwal and Charles Tremayne. Barbara Nance...
- 1/18/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Lifetime has given the greenlight to two music-related projects, a miniseries on rap group Salt-n-Pepa and a biopic on gospel group the Clark Sisters. Queen Latifah is an executive producer for both projects via her Flavor Unit production company, with Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott among the executive producers for the Clark Sisters film. Both projects are slated for programming in 2020.
The Salt-n-Pepa miniseries traverses the lives of Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, as they go from nursing school students to entering the world of hip-hop and...
The Salt-n-Pepa miniseries traverses the lives of Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, as they go from nursing school students to entering the world of hip-hop and...
- 3/28/2019
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
Lifetime is singing up a storm with two scripted projects based on the lives of rap stars Salt-n-Pepa and The Clark Sisters.
Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott are exec producing a TV movie about the lives of gospel singers The Clark Sisters, while the Salt-n-Pepa story is being turned into a miniseries.
Salt-n-Pepa will tell the story of nursing students Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, who fell into the world of rap and hip hop, after recording for a friend’s school project. One of the first all-female rap groups, the series will look at the pair who were unafraid to talk about sex and share their thoughts on men. The show will feature their greatest hits including “Let’s Talk About Sex”, “What a Man”, “Shoop” and “Push It”. It will be exec produced by Cheryl James, Sandra Denton and Jesse Collins as well...
Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott are exec producing a TV movie about the lives of gospel singers The Clark Sisters, while the Salt-n-Pepa story is being turned into a miniseries.
Salt-n-Pepa will tell the story of nursing students Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, who fell into the world of rap and hip hop, after recording for a friend’s school project. One of the first all-female rap groups, the series will look at the pair who were unafraid to talk about sex and share their thoughts on men. The show will feature their greatest hits including “Let’s Talk About Sex”, “What a Man”, “Shoop” and “Push It”. It will be exec produced by Cheryl James, Sandra Denton and Jesse Collins as well...
- 3/27/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Lifetime has ordered two music-themed miniseries, one revolving around female rap stars Salt-n-Pepa, the other focused on the Clark Sisters gospel group. Both projects are produced by Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit banner.
“Salt-n-Pepa” and the Clark Sisters project were among several new programs unveiled by Lifetime Wednesday night at the cabler’s upfront presentation at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center. Also on deck for next year are new episodes of the unscripted series “Supernanny” led by Jo Frost.
The miniseries revolves around Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton as they enter the world of hip hop and rap. The miniseries will incorporate the duo’s hits including “Let’s Talk About Sex,” “What a Man” and “Shoop.”
James, Denton, Jesse Collins, Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere are executive producers. Andy Hume, Dionne Harmon and James “Jimmy” Maynes are co-exec producers.
The other scripted project greenlit by...
“Salt-n-Pepa” and the Clark Sisters project were among several new programs unveiled by Lifetime Wednesday night at the cabler’s upfront presentation at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center. Also on deck for next year are new episodes of the unscripted series “Supernanny” led by Jo Frost.
The miniseries revolves around Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton as they enter the world of hip hop and rap. The miniseries will incorporate the duo’s hits including “Let’s Talk About Sex,” “What a Man” and “Shoop.”
James, Denton, Jesse Collins, Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere are executive producers. Andy Hume, Dionne Harmon and James “Jimmy” Maynes are co-exec producers.
The other scripted project greenlit by...
- 3/27/2019
- by Rachel Yang
- Variety Film + TV
From TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for February 2019 including "Designated Survivor", "Greenland", "Nurses" and a whole lot more:
Cardinal: Until The Night
TV Series
Entertainment One
Prod.: Jessica Daniel
Dir.: Nathan Morlando
Jan 30 - Apr 9/19
Designated Survivor
Season 3
TV Series
eOne / Netflix
Prod.: Chris Hatcher
Exec. Prod.: Kiefer Sutherland, Peter Noah
Dir.: various
Oct 15/18 - Feb 12/19
Greenland
Feature
Greenland Films Inc.
Producer Basil Iwanyk
Dir.: Neill Blomkamp
Jan 14 - Mar 8/19
Impulse Season 2
TV Series
Gep Impulse C Inc.
Producer: Patty Long
Dir: Doug Liman
Feb 21 - Jun 11/ 19
Joy's Place Season 3
TV Series
e-One
Prod.: Claire Welland
Exec. Prod.: Tassie Cameron,
Amy Cameron, Marsha Greene, Jocelyn Hamilton, Tecca Crosby
Dir.: N. Bailey, J. Genn, P. Fox
Jan 9 - Mar 14/19
Let It Snow
TV Movie
Netflix
Prod.: D. Clark, B. Bauman,
A. Faigen
Dir: Luke Snellin
Feb 1 -...
Cardinal: Until The Night
TV Series
Entertainment One
Prod.: Jessica Daniel
Dir.: Nathan Morlando
Jan 30 - Apr 9/19
Designated Survivor
Season 3
TV Series
eOne / Netflix
Prod.: Chris Hatcher
Exec. Prod.: Kiefer Sutherland, Peter Noah
Dir.: various
Oct 15/18 - Feb 12/19
Greenland
Feature
Greenland Films Inc.
Producer Basil Iwanyk
Dir.: Neill Blomkamp
Jan 14 - Mar 8/19
Impulse Season 2
TV Series
Gep Impulse C Inc.
Producer: Patty Long
Dir: Doug Liman
Feb 21 - Jun 11/ 19
Joy's Place Season 3
TV Series
e-One
Prod.: Claire Welland
Exec. Prod.: Tassie Cameron,
Amy Cameron, Marsha Greene, Jocelyn Hamilton, Tecca Crosby
Dir.: N. Bailey, J. Genn, P. Fox
Jan 9 - Mar 14/19
Let It Snow
TV Movie
Netflix
Prod.: D. Clark, B. Bauman,
A. Faigen
Dir: Luke Snellin
Feb 1 -...
- 1/27/2019
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
On today’s TV roundup, the trailer for “Shameless” Season 9 drops and NBC announces its inaugural Female Forward Class.
Casting
ABC has added Garcelle Beauvais as a recurring guest star in Season 2 of “Siren,” which began production today in Vancouver. Beauvais plays Susan Bishop, Maddie’s (Fola Evans-Akingbola) mom and Dale’s (Gil Birmingham) wife, who abandoned her family for the past 10 months. She is back in Bristol Cove and ready to make amends with her family.
Dates
MTV announced the new season of “Ridiculousness” will premiere on an all-new night beginning Sunday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt. Host Rob Dyrdek returns with Chanel West Coast and Steelo Brim to dissect the internet’s most provocative and absurd viral videos. Special guests this season include Olympic athletes Adam Rippon, Chloe Kim and Laurie Hernandez, pop-rap duo Jack & Jack, “Wild ‘N Out” star Justina Valentina and more.
Greenlights
Netflix has greenlit a Christmas-themed “Nailed It!
Casting
ABC has added Garcelle Beauvais as a recurring guest star in Season 2 of “Siren,” which began production today in Vancouver. Beauvais plays Susan Bishop, Maddie’s (Fola Evans-Akingbola) mom and Dale’s (Gil Birmingham) wife, who abandoned her family for the past 10 months. She is back in Bristol Cove and ready to make amends with her family.
Dates
MTV announced the new season of “Ridiculousness” will premiere on an all-new night beginning Sunday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt. Host Rob Dyrdek returns with Chanel West Coast and Steelo Brim to dissect the internet’s most provocative and absurd viral videos. Special guests this season include Olympic athletes Adam Rippon, Chloe Kim and Laurie Hernandez, pop-rap duo Jack & Jack, “Wild ‘N Out” star Justina Valentina and more.
Greenlights
Netflix has greenlit a Christmas-themed “Nailed It!
- 7/26/2018
- by Ellis Clopton
- Variety Film + TV
NBC has named the inaugural class for its new “Female Forward” directors initiative which will provide female directors a pipeline into scripted television.
The 10 directors selected as finalists and the NBC series on which they have been paired are Rebecca Addelman (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Daniela De Carlo (Chicago Med), Lee Friedlander (Good Girls), Heather Jack (Superstore), Katie Locke O’Brien (A.P. Bio), Ramaa Mosley (Blindspot), Olivia Newman (Chicago Fire), Monica Raymund (Law & Order: Svu), Lisa Robinson (The Blacklist) and Christine Swanson (Chicago P.D.).
Chosen from among more than 1,000 applicants, the finalists have helmed a range of projects including award-winning films that have been official selections at Tribeca Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival, among others.
Launched last year by then-president Jennifer Salke, “Female Forward” aims to increase female representation in the director’s chair by providing talented female directors with the experience and connections...
The 10 directors selected as finalists and the NBC series on which they have been paired are Rebecca Addelman (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Daniela De Carlo (Chicago Med), Lee Friedlander (Good Girls), Heather Jack (Superstore), Katie Locke O’Brien (A.P. Bio), Ramaa Mosley (Blindspot), Olivia Newman (Chicago Fire), Monica Raymund (Law & Order: Svu), Lisa Robinson (The Blacklist) and Christine Swanson (Chicago P.D.).
Chosen from among more than 1,000 applicants, the finalists have helmed a range of projects including award-winning films that have been official selections at Tribeca Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival, among others.
Launched last year by then-president Jennifer Salke, “Female Forward” aims to increase female representation in the director’s chair by providing talented female directors with the experience and connections...
- 7/25/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Teyonah Parris (Chi-Raq, Mad Men) is in talks to star in Buffalo Soldier Girl, the story of a woman who, disguised as a man, enlisted and fought with the African American Post Civil War era as a ‘Buffalo Soldier.’ The project will be directed by Christine Swanson for production company, Pantheon of Women from a screenplay by Sarah Bird. The writer is a best-selling author and has been named Best Austin Author four times by the readers of the Austin Chronicle…...
- 5/5/2016
- Deadline
Teyonah Parris stars in the upcoming TV One Original Movie "The Miki Howard Story" (working title), which is being directed by Christine Swanson. Parris plays the R&B/Jazz singer and actress who enjoyed mainstream success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with a string of top 10 hits including "Come Share My Love," "Baby, Be Mine," "Love Under New Management," "Ain't Nobody Like You" and others. The film, which is produced by Carl Craig and Eric Tomosunas and Rob Robinson of Swirl Films, will cover 30+ years of Howard's life, both professional and personal trials and triumphs, including her...
- 12/21/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Ryan Coogler's "Creed" topped the NAACP Image Awards nomination which were revealed this morning. "Creed" received nods for best picture, director for Coogler, actor for Michael B. Jordan, writing for Coogler and Aaron Covington, and supporting actress noms for both Phylicia Rashad and Tessa Thompson.
We'll find out the winners on February 5 on the live airing of the ceremony on TV one.
Here is the full list of nominees of the 47th NAACP Image Awards:
Entertainer Of The Year
Michael B. Jordan
Misty Copeland
Pharrell Williams
Shonda Rhimes
Viola Davis
Television
Outstanding Comedy Series
.black-ish. (ABC)
.House of Lies. (Showtime)
.Key & Peele. (Comedy Central)
.Orange is the New Black. (Netflix)
.Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher . .Brooklyn Nine-Nine. (Fox)
Anthony Anderson . .black-ish. (ABC)
Don Cheadle . .House of Lies. (Showtime)
Dwayne Johnson . .Ballers. (HBO)
RonReaco Lee . .Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actress...
We'll find out the winners on February 5 on the live airing of the ceremony on TV one.
Here is the full list of nominees of the 47th NAACP Image Awards:
Entertainer Of The Year
Michael B. Jordan
Misty Copeland
Pharrell Williams
Shonda Rhimes
Viola Davis
Television
Outstanding Comedy Series
.black-ish. (ABC)
.House of Lies. (Showtime)
.Key & Peele. (Comedy Central)
.Orange is the New Black. (Netflix)
.Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher . .Brooklyn Nine-Nine. (Fox)
Anthony Anderson . .black-ish. (ABC)
Don Cheadle . .House of Lies. (Showtime)
Dwayne Johnson . .Ballers. (HBO)
RonReaco Lee . .Survivor.s Remorse. (Starz)
Outstanding Actress...
- 12/8/2015
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Filmmaker Christine Swanson is back! Directing two films, back to back, for TV One. Now airing, "The Book of Ruth" and "To Hell and Back". Both films were written by Rhonda Baraka. In a relaxed, though exhaustive conversation I had with the filmmaker, which follows below, we learn of Christine's film industry experience, her thoughts on "Black Cinema," what drives her and much more. Tanya: What brought you to TV One? Christine: TV One called me out of the blue. Sounds crazy but that's exactly what happened. Tanya: To ask you to direct the first film- To Hell and Back? Christine: Yes. They decided to embark upon a modern story...
- 5/13/2015
- by Tanya Steele
- ShadowAndAct
This Saturday night, May 9, TV One premieres the new original movie, “For the Love of Ruth,” which is inspired by the biblical story, and stars Denise Boutté, Gary Dourdan, Loretta Devine and James Pickens Jr. Directed by Christine Swanson (who also helmed a previous TV One original movie, "To Hell and Back," which aired last month), "For the Love of Ruth" follows the journey of Ruth Sommerling (Boutté), who, orphaned as a child and currently residing in a women’s shelter, has lived a life filled with pain and disappointment. In rapid succession, Ruth marries Nicholas Marachond, but a dreadful accident leaves her widowed. Refusing to abandon...
- 5/5/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
It’s almost impossible not to have seen veteran actress Vanessa Bell Calloway in a film or TV show over the past 30 years. One of the most versatile and hardest working actresses in Hollywood, Ms. Calloway is a familiar presence that many have literally grown up with - nearly 120 film and TV credits to her name, and even more coming. One of her current projects is the TV One movie “To Hell and Back” directed by Christine Swanson, which premieres this Easter Sunday on the network. The film, in which Ms. Calloway co-stars with Ernie Hudson, is a modern day retelling of the Book of Job, which follows a successful businessman and father whose life falls apart after a series of tragic...
- 4/2/2015
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
In recognition of Easter, TV One will premiere two all-new programs reflecting the spirit of the season, including, on Saturday, April 4, 8Pm/Et, a new TV One original movie titled "To Hell and Back," which stars Ernie Hudson and Vanessa Bell Calloway. Directed by Christine Swanson ("All About You," "All About Us"), and based on the Book of Job, "To Hell and Back" tells the story of Joe Patterson (Hudson), a successful businessman, loving father and humanitarian who has been blessed with every good fortune. Despite living a life of great faith, he is tormented by Satan and made to suffer terribly. In...
- 4/1/2015
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
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