2023 Black History Month

Originally published: February 16, 2023 The First Step is a powerful documentary following CNN media personality Van Jones as he successfully brought together both major American political parties at a time of extreme polarization to pass The First Step Act – a landmark criminal justice bill promising a path to an early release for eligible incarcerated people who invest their time and energy in programs that reduce recidivism. Brothers Lance (producer) and Brandon (director) Kramer – whose credits include City of Trees and The Messy Truth – spoke to us on Zoom about the journey of documenting Jones’ bridge-building efforts during the Trump administration and the fierce opposition he faced from both sides.

One of the many standout films at this year’s Sundance Film Festival was Adura Onashile’s feature debut Girl. The film follows the mother-daughter unit Grace and Ama as they try to adapt to life in Scotland after escaping unspeakable violence in their native Republic of the Congo.

From Mexico City to Kenya to Yale to Hollywood. And from production assistant to superstar.

Women have always been part of the history of cinema, but only in the last few decades has their presence behind the camera gained relevance, allowing audiences to see a construction or de-construction of what it is to be a woman and a man in society. In Latin America, a small group of pioneering women filmmakers managed to express their talent in a space heretofore reserved exclusively for men.

When Nigeria’s Filmhouse Group Holdings completed the repositioning of its FilmOne Studios division, it announced that Mimi Bartels was appointed General Manager.   FilmOne Studios will be a standalone production outfit separate from FilmOne Entertainment.

In honor of 2023 Black History Month, we are rewinding to 2018, when HFPA member Alessandra Venezia had the privilege of interviewing Spike Lee - writer, director, actor, producer, author and educator who helped revolutionize Modern Black Cinema and inspired countless generations of black filmmakers who have continued to enrich the landscape of film and black culture. Spike’s unique voice captivated audiences from the start, with early films including She’s Gotta Have It (1986), School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989) and 25th Hour (2002).

Up-and-coming actor Michael Franklin has played multiple supporting roles on TV shows such as Truth Be Told, Euphoria and Apple’s new series Lady in The Lake. Isaac C.

The Peacock series Bel-Air changed Olly Sholotan’s life. The series is a retelling of the iconic 90s sitcom series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which first came on air in 1990 and went off the air in 1996.

ABC’s highly celebrated show Abbott Elementary and Marvel’s billion-dollar box office hit Black Panther: Wakanda Forever dominated the 54th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Abbott Elementary won five awards while Black Panther: Wakanda Forever took home four at the ceremony.

What would you do if four strangers came to your secluded cabin in the woods and asked you to kill one of your family members to prevent the apocalypse? This is the question at the heart of M. Night Shyamalan’s latest psychological horror film Knock at the Cabin, with Nigerian-born British actress Nikki Amuka-Bird playing one of four strangers.