Due to the Oscars completely overshadowing the awards season, I was clueless that an awards ceremony dedicated to independent filmmakers even existed. In fact, I desperately wanted to pitch this exact idea to whoever would listen. Oftentimes, The Academy chooses films that fit their agenda, and overlooks the filmmakers who are perhaps telling the most […]
In our latest episode of the JARO Original Podcast, Indianapolis-based filmmaker Kimberly Stephens spoke with Tomeka Winborne about her journey in the film industry. Stephens, who recently had her national acting and directing debut with the True First documentary series, weighs in on the challenges of being a filmmaker, future projects, and what makes […]
Premiering this month, the former First Lady is set to headline an original YouTube special called “BookTube.” During the program, Michelle Obama will discuss her memoir Becoming with a panel of education-based YouTubers including Franchesca Ramsey, Ariel Bissett, and Jouelzy. The discussion will be moderated by The Fault in our Stars author John Green. “BookTube” […]
During ESSENCE’s annual Black Women in Hollywood event, photographer Michael Rowe captured stunning portraits of powerful and inspiring Black women who are making history today, including Ava DuVernay, Dewanda Wise, Angela Bassett, Jenifer Lewis, and more. With “The Power of Our Presence: Art & Activism” being the event’s theme this year, portraits were taken of […]
For more than 30 years, TED Talks have granted a global audience with the opportunity to listen to a wide range of culturally diverse speakers discuss a multitude of “ideas worth spreading.” In our current digital age, we now have the ability to watch these conferences instantly, bringing these inspirational talks to our living […]
In a new concept trailer by writer and director Morgan Cooper, the cherished and cheerful ‘90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is thoughtfully transformed into a darker, modern-day drama. Simply titled “Bel-Air,” the three-minute trailer reveals a more troubled side of Will, who is sent to California by his distraught mother after being caught […]
Last summer’s 90-minute finale of Queen Sugar’s third season had its fair share of ups and downs. There’s a feeling of impending doom when it comes to the the fate of the Borderlons’ family farm, as the Landry’s detrimental plan to build a prison is still moving forward. Yet with Charley’s determination and tenacity, it’s […]
A24 has released the first trailer for the Sundance award-winning film, The Last Black Man in San Francisco. Directed by Joe Talbot, the critically acclaimed drama tells the story of gentrification in the Bay Area, and one man’s fight to hold on to all that he loves in an ever-changing city. The trailer reveals a […]
Octavia Butler’s Wild Seed novel, the first of the esteemed sci-fi author’s Patternist series, will be developed into a TV series by Amazon. The project comes from JuVee Productions, the company of Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, and will be penned by fellow sci-fi author Nnedi Okorafor and Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu. Kahiu will also […]
When Jordan Peele, a new filmmaker, creates what is often referred to as a masterpiece on his first try, the stakes became nearly impossible to surpass for his next project. Therefore, like Get Out, Us was expected to be yet another mind-bending film that resonated with the audience and allowed us to ponder on all of […]