Black Filmmakers Matter Podcast

Talk tactics to succeed as an award-winning independent thriller and sci-fi filmmaker with Adrian Bobb. Adrian @abobb is an award-winning writer and director based in Toronto. His films have been shown in over 50 festivals worldwide including Sitges Film Festival, Fantasia Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Urbanworld Film Festival, Blood in the Snow Film Festival, Toronto After Dark, and Hollyshorts International Film Festival.   Before working as a writer/director, Adrian worked for 15 years in the Videogame/Film/TV industry as a VFX Artist taking on almost every position from storyboard artist on TV series such as The History Channel's "The Re-Inventors", and "Crime Stories," to Concept Artist and Digital Matte Painter for videogame companies such as Ubisoft and Digital Dimension, to 3D modeler for companies such as Jam Filled, Mr. X, and MARZ to name a few.   This year Adrian has written and directed his first episodic episode of TV with Highball.TV's upcoming horror anthology, "God of Frogs", and is currently working with Landed Entertainment on his 5th short film utilizing VPH's Virtual Production Studio, "Drifters" starring Samora Smallwood and Matt Murray. His award-winning 2022 short film "The Fore-men" is currently in development as a feature and is still making appearances in festivals around the world.

Discover the visionary world of Destinee Stewart, a multi-hyphenate director celebrated for her authentic storytelling. Destinee is dedicated to highlighting the complexities of women and BIPOC individuals through her unique blend of spirituality, humor, and acting background. Her short films, THE TRUTH OF US and BAGELS & COFFEE, have captivated audiences at festivals around the globe. In 2021, Destinee received the Cucalorus Writing Residency and has since directed notable Netflix projects, including CHRISTMAS FLOW and IRON CHEF: BRAZIL. Beyond directing, she enjoys producing award-winning films like COFFEE SHOP NAMES, now on HBOMax. Join us as we explore Destinee's journey and creative achievements. #DestineeStewart #AuthenticStories #WomenInFilm #BIPOCVoices #NetflixDirector

Join us as we highlight the remarkable journey of Mayor Janice Kovach of Clinton, NJ. Elected in November 2011 and now serving her fourth term, Janice is a dedicated advocate for her community. In 2017, she co-founded the River Town Film Festival, a non-profit organization in Hunterdon County that celebrates the theme of community through independent films. Janice also chairs the Hunterdon County Film Commission and serves on the NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission, where she assists productions in navigating local government. Discover her passion for film and commitment to her residents. #JaniceKovach #CommunityLeader #IndependentFilm #RTFF #NJFilm

Unlock the world of filmmaking with renowned filmmaker, producer, director, actor, and writer Lovie Johnson. Delve into Lovie's diverse background as a Nigerian/Seminole/British/Ashkenazi-Jewish artist, shaped by his upbringing as an Army brat and his experiences playing professional basketball overseas. Explore Lovie's evolution from directing music videos and socially conscious reality shows to contributing to PSAs for homeless youth programs in the Southeast. Discover how Lovie's extensive acting career in stage productions like Amistad and For Black Boys, as well as acclaimed films including Fright Night, Debt to Society, UTU, and The Sounds of War, influences his unique storytelling approach and character development. Get exclusive insights into Lovie's current projects, including the production of two feature films: Supernal Darkness, a gripping psychological action/thriller, and Sidewalk Baby, a compelling urban/hip-hop biopic. Learn about Lovie's ongoing work on projects like The Blackest Yellow, an intriguing paranormal/sci-fi action-thriller, and The SINS, a captivating black western. Join the conversation on social awareness and positive change as Lovie discusses his commitment to addressing critical issues such as child abuse awareness, child sex trafficking, and broader social change themes through the powerful medium of film and television. Don't miss our engaging discussion series with master filmmaker Lovie Johnson, packed with invaluable advice and inspiration for new and novice independent filmmakers. Tune in and elevate your filmmaking journey today!

Redhawk Crescent Studios is the premier destination for fantasy multimedia! Founded by Romeo Pough, his content & channel specializes in comics, movies, web-series, and storytelling. Dive into "Redhawk Fantasy Stories" for immersive fantasy tales and audiobooks crafted by Romeo himself. Explore Romeo's creative universe with TV shows, movies, novels, fantasy erotica, and short fiction. Join his community for engaging discussions on popular comics like Dragon Ball Super, anime TV shows, and diverse geek fandoms. Check them out on Youtube @Redhawk Crescent Studios

Discover the captivating journey of Charles Honeywood, a talented Writer/Director hailing from Chicago's south side, whose unique perspective shaped by the city's music and challenges has fueled his creative brilliance. Fluent in English and with a background in spoken word, Charles honed his filmmaking skills through the Script to Silver Screen initiative, a groundbreaking alliance for independent creators. With a knack for crafting engaging stories, Charles used screenwriting as a gateway to direct his first short film. His continued growth includes training at the Second City Training Center and @thewordsmithwriterslab, leading to his empowerment short being recognized at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Join us as we delve into Charles' inspiring journey, exploring his commitment to writing and directing impactful films that resonate with audiences worldwide. #FilmmakingJourney #AwardWinningDirector #ChicagoFilmScene #TokyoFilmFestival #CreativeEmpowerment. 

Explore Ken Gregory's inspiring journey from Detroit to becoming a prolific screenwriter and producer. Discover his path from Wayne State University to Atlanta, where he found his passion for screenwriting in 2005. Follow his ongoing evolution in the arts. 

Discover the inspiring journey of Andrew Garcia, an award-winning director and cinematographer from Miami, Florida. Specializing in Latin coming-of-age stories and family dramas with a docu-style approach, Andrew's recent works include "America Has an Accent," "The Sunset is Not a Permanent Home," and Puma's "The Fabric of Hip-Hop." In 2019, his film "La Piel De Ayer" was released by HBO and received accolades at the Miami Film Festival. His latest film, "Tumba Del Mar," showcased at Miami Film Festival, HollyShorts, and Florida Film Festival in 2023. Currently, he is developing his first feature film, "All The Things I Wish I Could Say," selected for the WEG Feature Film Lab in 2024. Subscribe for more filmmaker spotlights and behind-the-scenes insights!

Multi-talented Nkosi Phanord can best be described as a filmmaker and entrepreneur– He is the media owner at Montreal Got Style and studio partner at Blkbox.media BlkBox.Media is a content creation production company whose goal is to give a voice to creators by applying the best practices in the market. To succeed in the creator economy, their aim to turn the creator into a bridge between "The Brand" and the community audience.

Filmmaking tips from Joel Smith about the importance of color in film. Joel is a New Jersey filmmaker born and raised. Currently, he is based in Tokyo. His production company specializes in short films,music videos, and commercials. His amazing work can be seen at www.onemillionjoel.com. Joel's philosophy on content creation: “A good video is an organized one. Make it so they watch it more than once. The more personal it is the more people will see it.”

Discover the inspiring journey of Lexx Truss, a writer, director, and producer from Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduating from Point Park University's Cinema & Digital Arts program in 2015, Lexx showcased his talent at the Cannes Short Film Corner and continued to refine his craft through various freelance projects. In 2018, he won the Shore Scripts Logline Contest with his comedy short, "A Kid Named Leslie," and was declared the Grand Prize Winner of the 2019 Emerge! Filmmaking Lab for his psychological thriller, "Zarina." Join us as we explore Lexx's path to success in the film industry. 

Quincy Ledbetter talks about the filmmaker's journey for black film directors. He shares his thoughts on the art of film and the filmmaking process. Quincy is a filmmaker, musician, and artist with a focus on narrative, documentary, andbranded/commercial projects—primarily as a director, writer, DP, editor, and composer. He has extensive experience as a Video Director, Producer, and Post-Production Supervisor in news and digital media with brands such as Mashable, NPR, Time, Mic.com, HuffPost, Yahoo!, The New York Times, Vox, Instagram, among others. His work has won two Edward R. Murrow Awards (2018 and 2021), two Webby Awards (2016 and 2021), an ASME Ellie Award (2018), and two Emmy Nominations (2017 and 2022). In 2018 Quincy won the Project CRE8 competition by BET Films and Paramount Players to direct his first feature film Alieu the Dreamer, released in 2020. His animated short film The Black Disquisition garnered multiple awards at festivals for Best Director and Best Animated Short, and is currently exhibited in museums across the U.S. In 2020, Quincy and his partner, Yuki Maekawa-Ledbetter, co-founded ML-NEBULA, a production company focused on creating a safe and open environment for filmmakers and artists to thrive. You can find him at http://www.qledbetter.com/

Damien Swaby's work has been screened at film festivals in, London, San Diego, Birmingham, Staffordshire, Reykjavik, Sacramento, Brighton, and others. He is an entrepreneurial and innovative corporate video producer/filmmaker. Incredibly driven, ambitious, grounded, and focused, Damien has aproductively creative mind and a genuine passion to get the very best out of every project. Damien is the host of the Podcast: Filmmaking Conversations with Damien Swaby. The podcast reaches out to the next generation of filmmakers, who continue to look for inspiration and guidance. Damien is a Proud Member of the IFH Podcast Network (www.ifhpodcastnetwork.com).

Discover the incredible journey of Joe Menendez, the Co-Executive Producer and Director behind the CW's "Kung Fu". Known for his versatile direction across TV and film, Menendez has helmed episodes of "12 Monkeys", "Queen of the South", and Nickelodeon's "Legends of the Hidden Temple". With a unique talent for bilingual storytelling, he directed Spanish-language hits like "Ladrón Que Roba A Ladrón". Joe's passion for filmmaking began with a Super 8 camera in NYC and has led to award-winning projects and his debut novel, "Mindshot". Subscribe for more inspiring stories from the world of filmmaking!

Join us as we dive into the illustrious career of Nickolas Duarte, a commercial director and narrative filmmaker with over 70 industry awards, including a National Addy and an Emmy. With a client list boasting names like Adidas, Nike, Pepsi, and the NBA, Nickolas has mastered the art of creating lifestyle stories that capture moments of honesty. His acclaimed scripted and documentary work has featured in Academy Award-qualifying festivals and received distribution through Sony Pictures Television. Discover his journey from being a National Endowment of theArts Recipient to co-writing and directing a crime drama for Warner Bros. Don't miss this insightful look into the creative mind of a director whose work is described by Short of The Week as “almost as much a physical viewing experience as an emotionally affecting one".

Discover the exciting news as award-winning director Colin Francis Costello joins Hometeam, a leading global content production company named one of the “World's Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company. Colin, a biracial writer/director from Los Angeles, brings his rich storytelling skills and advertising expertise to Hometeam. His films and web series have screened at top festivals worldwide, earning numerous awards. With over 20 years of experience in advertising, Colin has worked with major clients like Netflix, McDonald's, and Disney. Now, with Hometeam's support, he continues to captivate audiences with his unique and provocative narratives. Tune in to learn more about Colin's incredible journey and his future projects, including the upcoming feature film "Na0mi." Don't miss this inspiring story of creativity and innovation!

Join us as we explore the incredible journey of Arlene Russell, a talented Filmmaker Distributor Consultant with a passion for storytelling. Starting her career in sports journalism, covering teams like the Houston Astros and NBA stars, Arlene discovered her true calling in documentary filmmaking. Her debut film, "The World Famous, Debate Coach, Dr. Thomas Freeman,"highlights her dedication to real-life narratives. Today, Arlene leads impactful projects and shares her expertise as a film instructor at Media Tech Institute. She empowers others through her roles as President of the Women in Film and TV, Houston Chapter, a member of the BMA Houston Chapter media board, and a participant in the Houston Media Source Filmmaker Project. Don't miss this inspiring story of creativity and commitment!

Discover the inspiring journey of Christopher Williams, a Cleveland native whose passion for filmmaking and acting began in elementary school. From participating in drama clubs to attending the prestigious New York Film Academy, Christopher's dedication to the arts has led him to create unique, out-of-the-box films. Learn about his achievements, including his first feature film, 'Dangerous People,' now streaming on Tubi, and how he continues to support fellow artists. Join us as we delve into the career of this self-made filmmaker who has captivated audiences worldwide.

Explore the captivating journey of Morgen A. Whiteman, a renowned film, television, and commercial director based in Los Angeles. With a background as a filmmaker-in-residence in Ghana and accolades including being a 2022 Stowe Story Labs finalist and a 2023 fellow of WIFV DC's Narrative Script Development Fellowship, Morgen brings a unique perspective to storytelling.

Discover the inspiring journey of Donna D. Davis, known as Donna4film, from real estate to becoming an award-winning filmmaker. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Donna pursued her passion later in life, earning a bachelor's degree in film and a Master's in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University.

Join us as we explore the incredible journey of Joseph E. Austin II, an independent filmmaker from Upper Marlboro, MD. After a knee injury ended his football career in 2008, Joseph discovered a new passion for filmmaking. His debut feature film, "Sundays in July," has received numerous awards and accolades,making a significant impact in the film industry.In this video, Joseph shares his experiences and insights into the making of "Sundays in July," which has won several prestigious awards.

Discover the inspiring journey of Paballo Mokwena, a passionate advocate for the Arts who grew up in a developing town where the Arts were not widely recognized. Despite the challenges, Paballo felt most alive during school productions, whether it was a choir performance or a play, igniting a deep passion for creative expression.In this video, Paballo shares her mission to provide black women with a transparent lens and a platform to showcase their experiences in the most surreal ways. 

Roleph Dubreus isa passionate filmmaker and hip-hop performer dedicated to creating impactful films and music. With 3 years of experience in screenwriting and video editing, and 2 years in music production, Roleph aims to make a difference through his creative works. Join him on his journey and connect with like-minded creatives.

Join us for an exclusive discussion as master action and stage combat filmmaker, JustinBellow shares invaluable insights with our aspiring young filmmakers on the profound importance of storytelling within the action genre. Discover the art of merging adrenaline-pumping action sequences with compelling narratives, unlocking the secrets to creating impactful cinematic experiences. Justin Bellow, based in Los Angeles, is a director, writer, producer, and editor.

Meet award-winning television content creator and filmmaker Josetta Shropshire. Josetta is the founder,producer & director at www.positivepromotionsltd.com. She will talk to our young filmmakers about television and filmmaking.Positive Promotions LTD is an award-winning television and broadcast media company. They have been in business since 1990, with years of solid experience in all phases of broadcast television, multi-media,and live event production.

Dive into the dynamic world of Bismark Aryee, a multifaceted filmmaker and communication strategist with a rich background in digital media. With nearly a decade of experience in the industry, Aryee brings a unique blend of expertise in both film production and strategic communication. Armed with a master's degree in public relations and a bachelor's degree in film and television production, Aryee has honed his craft to perfection.

Discover the captivating world of award-winning filmmaker Aliza Brugger, whose creative journey spans from the heartland of Nebraska to the vibrant landscapes of Los Angeles and New York. With an MFA in screenwriting/directing from Columbia University, Brugger has crafted a portfolio of films that have captivated audiences globally. Their works, such as "Roadkill" and "Ain't No Mercy for Rabbits," have garnered acclaim at prestigious festivals including Outfest Los Angeles and Torino, with accolades like Best Screenplay and Best International Short Film. Brugger's latest masterpiece, "Soma," has earned recognition through the Emerging Filmmakers Grant and the esteemed Chinh Chu Finishing Prize.Beyond narrative storytelling, Brugger showcases versatility in directing commercials, music videos, andweb series. Dive into the cinematic universe of Aliza Brugger and experience the artistry that transcends boundaries.

Embark on a powerful journey with filmmaker Kharah Bell as she delves into the complexities of black women's experiences with hair in her captivating short documentary, "The Heaviest Crown." Through intimate storytelling and poignant visuals, Bell shines a light on the unique pressures and challenges faced by black women in society due to their hair. From societal standards to personal identity, this film explores the deeply rooted narratives surrounding black hair and the empowerment that comes from embracing one's natural beauty. Join us as we unravel the layers of this compelling narrative and witness the strength and resilience of black women in the face of adversity.

Tristan (www.tristanbarrocks.com) discusses the art of storytelling for beginning black filmmakers.

Gordon S. Williams, a multifaceted writer, producer, and director, founded G Sharp Productions in 1996. With a string of award-winning independent films like "The Story of Marcus and Reyna" and "Do You," Williams has made a significant mark in the industry. Alongside his success, he's earned acclaim for his work in television production, commercials, and documentaries, notably being honored by CUSH Magazine in 2009.