black filmmakers
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Oscar Nominee Hannah Beachler Talks Breaking Ceilings and What’s Next: ‘Black People Belong in Space’
It’s almost been a year to the day since Black Panther production designer Hannah Beachler walked The Root (and our readers!) through the enticing world of Wakanda—a world we’d come to uphold forever. Speaking to Beachler, her husky voice warms over you like the homegirl you always had—or wanted. Making history as the first African…
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Sundance 2019: Chinonye Chukwu Becomes 1st Black Female Director to Win Grand Jury Prize
The white mountains in Sundance just got a bit blacker—and we, specifically, have a black woman to celebrate! Chinonye Chukwu, the director of Clemency, has made history as the first black woman in the festival’s 35-year existence to win the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic. Clemency, starring Aldis Hodge and Alfre Woodard, follows Warden Bernadine…
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Sundance 2019: A List of Black Movies to Watch While You're in the White Mountains
It’s that time again; indie filmmakers and film lovers alike are descending upon the frosty mecca known as Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded by Robert Redford in 1978, the Sundance Film Festival is known as the largest independent film festival in the U.S. Most folks don’t necessarily think of blackness when they…
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The Golden Glow Up: Diversity and Retro Glamour Ruled the 2019 Golden Globes Red Carpet
Bona fide blockbuster Black Panther may not have gotten the win it deserved this round, but in terms of representation—in the room and on the red carpet—the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards was one of the most diverse in recent history (at least, by all appearances). Due in large part to the success of Crazy…
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In Honor of His Birthday, Let’s Celebrate the Most Denzel Washington Moments of All Time
Hi, Denzel is better than you. Note: “You,” in this instance, does not include Monique Judge. Today, on the day of Denzel Washington’s 64th birthday, Dec. 28, 2018, we salute the man who is not simply a highly lauded thespian and filmmaker. He is a brand. How is he a brand, you probably didn’t ask?…
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Lena Waithe and Brian Tyree Henry to Make It Rain 'Film Independent' Grants Totaling $125K for Indie Creators
There’s a pile of money up for grabs for indie filmmakers. Lena Waithe and Brian Tyree Henry will be doing the honors of presenting four annual Film Independent grants. “We are excited to be giving out four unrestricted grants, totaling $125,000, to some insanely deserving emerging talent,” said Waithe and Henry in a statement. Via…
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Watch: Inside the Mind of a Random Fly Director
Terence Nance is the lead visionary behind HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness and was recently named as the director for Space Jam 2. His first film, 2012’s An Oversimplification of Her Beauty, won rave reviews at Sundance and put Nance on the map in the indie film world. The film even impressed Jay-Z, who became…
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It’s a Wrap! Urbanworld Closes Its 22nd Year With a Very Promising Slate of Fall Films
Collaboration, innovation and the power of women—these were recurrent themes at the 2018 Urbanworld Film Festival, which brought unseen gems, highly-anticipated box office hits, and established and up-and-coming filmmakers and talents from all over the world together for five incredible days in New York City. The week, which opened with the Tiffany Haddish and Kevin…