Official Selections for 2022 Micheaux Film Festival

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Nilalang (Of Beings and Deceit)

A young lady screams in silence as she seeks salvation from the evil that surrounds her.

Alalia

A woman grapples with her sudden inability to speak which is triggered when reflecting on the former glory and fading light of her relationship.

DARALUZ

In Guanajuato, Mexico, where you’ll find “aborto legal” scrawled on walls, a spirit named Daraluz lurks in the underground tunnels and comes up after dark to control the bodies of women. Its latest target is Mírame, a visual artist who wants the ghost out of her house before it takes over fully.

Mírame calls on a “musical exorcist” known for subduing the ghost with her song. But Daraluz exorcisms are illegal. So the exorcist must be discreet as she banishes the ghost from the home, hunts it through the alleys, into the underground tunnels of Guanajuato.

the tides

The tides centers around a young Muslim woman's identity and her personal sense of belonging. Cutting a piece of thread that's been a part of her inner fabric for so long and the fears of letting go. Parting ways with her hijab was never meant to be easy.

Sparkles

A 37-year-old woman with Down syndrome runs away from home and embarks on journey from Kalgoorlie to Perth.

GamGino

An Orlando-based artist reenacts the first two seasons of Donald Glover's award-winning series "Atlanta."

From the wardrobe to the scenery, the 'GamGino' music video is sure to send "Atlanta" fans down memory lane.

Benched

A young manny grapples with his conscience when he finds himself in the world of suburban drug dealing.

At Your Service

At Your Service is a 30 minute, character-driven, situational comedy that embraces the varying and larger-than-life personalities of 6 restaurant workers. The work environment is a chaotic one that brings love triangles, interesting customers, and insane scenarios. Naive, angry, ditsy, cynical, laid-back, and dramatic characters combine their unique qualities in an attempt to provide the best service in New York City. One worker, in particular, is having a harder time than most, while simultaneously entering a new city, school, and workforce. She must relinquish past judgments of normality and accept the eccentric and exhilarating environment that surrounds her. In hopes of one day serving their dream career, they first must serve in a nightmare, at this spectacle.

How To End A Conversation

A heartbroken man, unable to stop calling his EX, reluctantly enlist a therapist to help him lift the weight of his past relationship off of his shoulders...literally.

Tahriib (Those Who Travel North)

Tahriib uses the extraordinary power of storytelling to slip away the mask of anonymity shrouding the 1.8
million refugees who’ve entered Europe since 2014. Through their own words and in their own voice, refugees
detail their previous lives, dangerous journeys, and attempts to integrate into Western culture, their
unique narrative serving to emphasize our shared human experience.
Each interviewee tells a story that takes them from fear and initial hope, through physical, mental, and
emotional devastation along the way, ending with relief at having survived the trip, trepidation at taking on the
challenges of integration, and a renewed sense of hope for the future.

Spotlight

A woman gets put in the hot seat and interrogated, only to find out that she is having a nightmare.

Fetish

An Asian American woman’s one night stand takes an unsexy turn when breakfast the morning after comes with a side of fetishism. Caught in a moment of truth, she’s forced to ponder her options for how to respond to casual racism. Dismissal? Diplomacy? Violence? It’s all on the table.

Morena

Logline: After an insecure folk artist seeks out skin whitening cream to cope with everyday life, she must race to reverse its terrifying supernatural side effects.

Full Synopsis:
While painting a portrait of indigenous Aeta natives in the Philippines, Ciara Morena, an insecure folk artist, runs out of brown paint to complete her piece. At the art store, she hesitates to pick up the darker brown paint after thinking about her mother’s warnings about becoming too dark under the sun. To top it off, she overhears customers talking about tanning and skin whitening pills and faces a tenant who mistakes her for a facility employee due to her appearance. Fed up with the triggers and microaggressions, Ciara resorts to skin whitening cream after she sees an ad. When the cream arrives the next day, she tests it out and begins to hallucinate flashes of her ancestor, a Kalinga Warrior. As the side effects and hallucinations worsen, Ciara discovers a side effect of the product and must rush to the hospital before it erases every trace of her existence...and her.

2020 Year of the Nurse (Music Video)

2020 Year of the Nurse (Music Video)
Official Music Video for the documentary "2020 Year of the Nurse" performed by Tray Chaney featuring Robyn Roots.

2020 Year of the Nurse

2020 Year of the Nurse is a documentary about Black nurses and practitioners in Virginia, New York, and other cities across the country. This project provides insight into how they fought to save lives from the devastating effects of Covid-19. It also highlights how the medical professionals had to fight for their rights when faced with multiple challenges such as systemic racism, pandemic preparedness, work-life balance, and mental health issues while on the front lines.

Robyn Hood

A sultry succubus steals the belongings of an unsuspecting man to quench her insatiable thirst for his soul. 😈

IT'S YOUR FAULT

Frustrated by her overprotective mother, 20-year-old Polina makes a spontaneous decision to leave a club with a group of guys and keep the party going. Upon arriving at their strange apartment, she quickly realizes that she's in danger and, even worse, there is no one to help her. This film explores how society often accuses women of being responsible for their own harassment - even when it's not their fault - and how women can internalize that accusation to blame themselves as well.

Thank You, Come Again

After the trigger of a hate crime, an undocumented Indian American convenience store clerk comes crashing into his subconscious as he grieves the passing of his father during an attempted border crossing.

Jowanda Durham - Actor Reel

Jowanda Durham is trained actress and writer. She received her BA in Theater from The University of GA. She studied filmmaking at the New York Film Academy and improv at The UCB in NY. She starred in the award winning web series, “Rhonda Mitchell, M.D.” as the titular role. She is a SAG member.

約會

Date

A nervous man, a reserved woman, both seem uneasy about their dinner rendezvous.

However, they try to extend this awkward occasion by ordering dishes that will take forever to prepare.

Her, She

Her, She is a visual love letter addressed to women seeking reassurance of their magic.

Meet Your Match

Meet your match is a story of a woman who cleverly lures in a persistent stalker into thinking that she will be his next victim.
But the tables swiftly turn when he realizes the trick is on him.

Breaking In Again... Transitioning from Unscripted to Scripted (or vice versa) (Recording)

This panel will explore how to make a smooth transition from unscripted tv to scripted and vice versa, transferable skills you can rely on, and the best time in your career to make the switch.

Panel focuses:
Storytelling In Unscripted Vs. Scripted
How To Use Your Skillset To Land A Dream Job
Will You Have To Start Over? The Reality Of Switching Genres
Your Relationships Will Make The Transition Smoother
Why Your Portfolio Should Contain Both

Panelists
Ahmadou Seck
VP of Scripted TV, MACRO

Kimberlina McKinney
VP, Business and Legal Affairs at Fremantle US

Stephanie Filo
TV/Film Editor

Ben Hurvitz
SVP, Unscripted Entertainment Franchises, Paramount Global

Carolina Groppa
EIC, HOORAE Media & ColorCreative

Moderator:
Carlton Jordan
Executive Producer

Cancel Court

Cancel Court is an improv comedy courtroom show where two comedians battle head to head as attorneys and conduct a trial to determine if a celebrity or a popular debate should be “canceled”. The comedians will present their case before the judge and jury, who will give the final ruling based on the facts presented.

Black in Hollywood: Carlton Jordan -'Trials of Tokenism'

In this episode, we gain insight into what life’s been like for black creative Carlton Jordan. Hailing from North Carolina, Carlton went from going to an all-black elementary, junior high, high school and college, to being thrust into Hollywood as one of the only black people on his producing teams. Tokenism on its face seems harmless, but there are many consequences of the half-hearted efforts to include a face to give the appearance of diversity.

Book Heckler

An unwelcome guest, who thinks she knows best, attends a book reading.

The Out-Fit

When coming out of the thrift store isn't all you do. A new coming-of-age queer film follows Emily, a costume-wearing 25-year-old, on her journey through change, love, and discovering one's self.

Written by Australian, Jessica Rookeward. Our director, writer, DP, composer, and two actresses are Australian.

All actors are proud members of the LGBTQ family.

All rights of this film belong to Jessica Rookeward - creator and writer.

Last Name Unknown

"Last Name Unknown" is a dramatic series that examines the gripping reality of the growing youth homelessness crisis; as it follows several residents of the Beyond Hope Youth Shelter's harsh, yet hopeful lives of beating the odds, finding their place in society, and living their distant dreams.

Party Podcast

A bride records a podcast episode during her bachelorette party.

OWN's Unscripted Takeover (Recording)

The Oprah Winfrey Network broke precedent by implementing back to back unscripted blocks during their primetime weekend time slots. This break from the status quo has launched OWN as a frontrunner in the unscripted space, and provided creator and Executive Producer, Carlos King, the opportunity to reinvent and expand his brand with the successful Love & Marriage franchise.

This panel will feature cast members from the Love & Marriage franchise, Belle Collective, and creator of both shows, Carlos King.

Panel focuses:
The success of OWN’s Love & Marriage franchise
OWN’s unprecedented Friday/Saturday unscripted block
The importance of showcasing Black love and success in all of its forms

Panelists:
Carlos King
Executive Producer, Creator

Ashley & DJ Quick Silva
Love & Marriage DC Cast Members

Melody Shari
CEO, Love & Marriage Huntsville Cast Member

Marie Hamilton-Abston
CEO, Belle Collective Cast Member

Tambra Cherie
Media Personality, Belle Collective Cast Member

Chellz Evette
Media Personality

Lift

Two Nigerian weightlifters must compete against each other in order to gain US citizenship.

Reasons

Reasons follows the life of a young and single mother, Mercy during the late 1950s in rural Georgia. Mercy lives with the difficulty of not having her daughter's father in their lives and struggles with abandoning the illusion of having “the perfect family.” In a time and place where women had very little authority over their lives, she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness to give her child the family life she has always longed for.

The Last Croissant

A woman will do whatever it takes for the last croissant.

Tamara S. Hall - Acting Reel

A mix of dramatic clips showing the acting skill and range of Tamara S. Hall.

CALL END

16-year-old Daniel is excited, he just graduated from the Youth Law Enforcement program for young teens who want to pursue a career in law enforcement. During his short walk home, Daniel encounters a few unsavory officers. Scared and alone, Daniel contacts his parents . When Daniel’s parents finally arrive to his location, the situation intensifies and Daniel's life will never be the same.

GRACE

Santino an undocumented immigrant, Trapped in Los Angeles by an enterprising criminal, works as a 'handyman' at an 'Anything Goes' Massage parlor to pay off his debt, But the Decadence of the business, his unstable boss, his family left in Mexico, and an underage girl (Grace) forced into prostitution push him toward violent ends.

On the Line

Devin wants nothing more than to die, but his family wants nothing more than to see him live. Over the past year, he’s attempted to take his life 5 times. Each time Devin survives, it’s a bittersweet feeling, knowing that the next attempt could be right around the corner. On the same day Lamar is prepping for one of the biggest auditions of his career, he receives a phone call that Devin is threatening to take his own life. Lamar tries to remind himself that his brother always ends up being okay and he needs to focus on his audition so he can financially support long-term treatment for Devin. As he tries to hone in on his script, the words of his monologue reflect his internal battle, making it harder and harder to compartmentalize what’s going on with his family. With both his career and family on the line, Lamar must decide what he’s willing to lose when the pressure of his career and his family are both on the line.

Charlie Hunnam Career Spotlight (Recording)

A one-on-one, career-spotlight conversation with Sons of Anarchy and Rebel Moon Star, Charlie Hunnam

Panelists:
Charlie Hunnam
Actor, Sons of Anarchy, Rebel Moon

Jenelle Riley
Variety

xxVISIBLE

Covering one year of the 2020 pandemic, a successful young Asian American struggles to navigate life during the lockdown.

Car Therapy: Uncoupling

A college therapist who moonlights as a ride-sharing app driver meets a too turnt lesbian couple with too much tea (and other things!) to spill in the car.

Academy 365

This panel conversation will provide insight into membership eligibility, the voting process, and the inner workings and operations of the most prolific organization in modern cinema.

Panel focuses:
Eligibility requirements
How to become a member of The Academy
Perks of membership
How the voting process works
Increasing BIPOC representation within The Academy
Ensuring films are reflective of the world we live in
Academy Gold programs

Panelists
Jeanell English
EVP, Impact and Operations

Shawn Finnie
EVP, Member Relations and Awards

Moderated by: Lawrence Foldes, Academy Member

Roger, Espionager

When recruits from an abandoned 1980s covert training program start showing up dead, the CIA rushes to find out why. With an apparent mole in the agency and suspected Russian involvement, they enlist Scout, one of the few spies they can still trust, to track down the abandoned program's most promising trainee, Roger. Seemingly a nobody who works as a professional cuddler, things get messy when Scout sees Roger associating with a Russian gangster, and eventually has to save Roger from an attempt on his own life. Scout must decide if Roger ultimately can be trusted with the truth about the CIA and about his own forgotten past.

Panavision Presentation: Every Lens Tells A Story (Recording)

Join Panavision’s Dan Sasaki for a behind-the-scenes analysis of the optical attributes that contributed to the storytelling of famous films. Dan will shine a light on the lenses filmmakers used to bring their visions to life while providing an overview of Panavision’s vast inventory and a firsthand account of the artistry, science, and technology involved in the field of motion-picture optics.

Dan Sasaki
Senior Vice President of Optical Engineering and Lens Strategy

If These Locs Could Talk

This film explores the importance and connections African Americans have with dreadlocks. Everyone has a story to tell but the commonality we have is the journey of learning more about ourselves through our hair.

IF THESE LOCS COULD TALK speaks to the part of us dedicated to changing narratives that don’t honor our humanity. This is a love letter to us, from us. It captures the rich and complex simplicity of our hair, specifically our locked hair. This subsection of the community has long been overlooked or relegated to a specific part of the Black diaspora. But, Locs are versatile and so are the people that rock them.
 
This poetic piece speaks alongside them, illustrating the why’s and how’s of their loc journey and what it means to them. Through this we learn more of ourselves as a community and are again reminded of the vastness of our expression.

Our goal is to take you on and audio/visual journey of the beauty that "locs" have set in our culture. It's not just a "hairstyle", it's a creative expression of who we are.

Launch at Paradise

A powerful shadow organization offers its agents ‘eternal life’ in exchange for their brain matter, reorganizing the content of their minds to create a super intelligence that could spell an end to war and world conflicts. John is one such agent who, in a series of flashbacks, discovers his consciousness is being repeatedly uploaded every time he ‘dies,’ and is then reprogrammed, erased and ‘upgraded’ when he comes back to life. But can John decipher the insidious secrets these manipulations have on his own individuality before he's lost to the system forever?spells an end to war and conflict.

Something in the Garden

It's nighttime in the suburbs and the stillness is interrupted by a strange presence, a creeping being that lurks in the dark

Fridge Magnet

After a series of blackouts in the neighborhood, Joyce and Gigante, a couple of seamstresses, lose their refrigerator. They left in search of a new appliance.

BLACK AS U R

BLACK AS U R poses to Black America a highly confrontational and much avoided question. Why do we as a people protest against racial injustice, but disregard the injustices experienced by black queer people? After all, we are just as black as you are. In this incendiary documentary filmmaker Micheal Rice takes the audience on a journey through the homophobia that characterizes many black spaces, both contemporarily and via an autobiographic look into his own upbringing in the south.
BLACK AS U R is the first step in confronting the African American community about queerphobia, via the seering stories of queer black people.

Tucker's War

A middle-aged lobbyist battles institutions of systemic oppression while her own substance use straddles the line between therapy and abuse.

The Mason Ring

It’s a late summer night in South Los Angeles, and teenage brothers EARL and ANTOINE are making a rather unusual late-night drop. On the eve of their GRANDFATHER’s funeral, they’re tasked with delivering his MASON RING to the funeral home in a last-ditch effort to get it on his finger before the service the following morning.

Their beloved GRANDMOTHER has bestowed them with this mission: one that feels almost sacred. The ring was believed lost but turned up at the 11th hour, elevating the urgency of fulfilling the grandfather’s wish to be buried in it. But it also provides an opportunity for these two young men to do something truly meaningful for their forebearers and to prove themselves as the new men of the family.

Of course, the boys don’t quite see it that way. While they do want to make their grandmother happy (and know that returning without seeing the mission through is not an option) more front of mind for them is the question of who will inherit their grandfather’s sleek Cadillac. The only thing they want to prove is that grandsons who fulfill dying wishes should certainly be rewarded with V8 engines and a chrome finish. But how badly do they want this?

Upon arriving at the funeral home they learn that their point of contact MR. BRICKER has stepped out to deal with an emergency. Or so it seems. Instead, they’re met by NATHANIEL, a night security guard who doesn’t seem much moved by the boys' urgency. That is unless they can prove to him why this Mason ring is so important in the first place, testing the boys' knowledge of what was truly important to their grandfather. But the encounter also provides an opportunity to attain a greater understanding of a man whom they saw as being just as cold and stern as he was mysterious.

Distribution: The Single Most Important Element of Filmmaking (Recording)

This panel will gain insight from distribution and acquisitions executives who can detail: best practices when seeking distribution, why securing distribution is the most important move a filmmaker can make, and what factors distributors take most into account.

Panel focuses:
Five things every filmmaker should know when seeking distribution
Common mistakes filmmakers make when seeking/securing distribution
The most important factors distributors take into account when considering projects

Panelists:
Yulissa Morales
VP OF US DISTRIBUTION, EPIC PICTURES

Moderated by:
Daniel de Boulay
Manager of Worldwide Acquisitions, SONY Pictures Entertainment

Weary Blues

Weary Blues is a short film adaptation of Langston Hughes' 1925 poem, 'The Weary Blues.' "The Weary Blues" was first published in the Urban League magazine, Opportunity. It was awarded the magazine's prize for best poem of the year. The poem was included in Hughes's first book, a collection of poems, also entitled The Weary Blues. The central theme of “The Weary Blues” concerns the resilience of the archetypal “common” person who has times of despair or despondency. Music serves as a means of relieving pain or anxiety.

AIRWAY

A woman's worst nightmare comes to life when the man sitting next to her won't turn his phone to Airplane Mode.

The Lifted

Inspired by the cultural awakening to dismantle assault against women and conquer their own past trauma, two best friends of over thirty years attempt to rescue a young woman they believe to be in danger in a car share ride. When things take a bad turn, the aunties take matters into their own hands in this short, thrilling adventure.

Birdwatching

By a stream in the woods - a place between worlds - two women find each other ankle-deep in the water, letting go of what's past and wondering what will come.

Rewriting Hollywood

Rewriting Hollywood is a global podcast featuring celebrities, creators, and influencers discussing inclusion and social impact in Hollywood, hosted by Jared Milrad, who worked for President Obama and founded Movikarma, a nonprofit organization supported by Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate that empowers underrepresented creative talent. With the help of special guest hosts along the way, Jared interviews directors, writers, actors, producers and other changemaking creatives who are breaking barriers and overcoming adversity to have their stories told and voices heard. Join the conversation on Rewriting Hollywood to empower inclusive, impactful storytellers and harness the power of story for good.

The Time Thief

THE TIME THEIF showcases the work of software engineer turned artist Steven Taylor who uses his photography to capture authentic moments that give credence to the beautiful legacy of blackness and black culture in Philadelphia and the world at large. Steven opened the first black-owned, singled artist fine art photography gallery in the United States to create creative conversation in his majority-black community of Germantown.

The Mechanic's Rose

A mother, suffering from a terminal illness, escapes hospice care to make a perilous journey across Newark NJ to attend her son's graduation.

Black Butterflies

A woman who’s haunted by the ailing health of her postpartum sister is confronted with a fight to save her sister and ultimately, herself.

Martha’s Journey

The University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten is a creative safe space to try out new things, experience different concepts and challenge yourself. You can only create something truly personal and unique if you believe in yourself and your own ideas.

VIRGINALITY

Virginality is an episodic series that chronicles the story of Jade Michelle Mason, a 30-ish overtly religious, single virgin who navigates adulthood with her millennial friends while finding her power in identity through her career and her untouched sexuality. While her career is being put to the test, her only logical resolution is not going to church and asking God for help, but trading in her V card for a newfound liberty and possibly great consensual sex.

Moose Tracks

On the night of his wife’s funeral, a newly widowed father must help his teenage daughter when she gets her first period.

Harmony

Set in the near-future in the United States, Harmony is about a billionnaire entrepreneur named James who's launching a new tech company called Harmony. Amid rising societal tensions and violence between race, gender, and class, James wants to build a series of new communities that will, as he sees it, create more peace and harmony between communities. Tonight, to plan for next steps, James has gathered a diverse group of the brightest tech minds from his Stanford college days for an unforgettable dinner meeting.

One of those friends is Darrell and his wife, Mia. Fiercely outspoken and brilliant, Mia is a strong black woman and Ivy League-educated college professor who doesn't accept things at face value - especially ideas as audacious as Harmony. She's committed to questioning James' true intentions - and the seemingly blind eagerness of her friends - even if it causes tumult in her marriage.

GBOY

A slice of life from the Niger Delta. When two teen activists are caught on the grounds of an oil refinery, a boisterous teen must convince a trigger-happy guard to set them free.

Nomadic

On a journey of self exploration to find himself in Los Angeles, a young man goes around visiting cornerstones of the black community: the barbershop, the farmers market, leimert park. Underneath we hear a poem about how this world has shaped his internal identity.

The Moon Bird

A young woman going through the visceral ups and downs of heartbreak decides to begin recording voice memos of all the things she wants to say.

Circle

Chris and Ben break down in the middle of nowhere. They have two options. Wait it out for another car to come by or hike through the desert.

Ghost Girl

Starring Sepideh Moafi (The L Word: Generation Q; Killing of Two Lovers) and Jamie Neumann (Lovecraft Country; Down With the King). On the night before she is set to leave New Orleans to audition for a high-budget television pilot in Los Angeles, Ashley must overcome her best friend and closest collaborator's attempts to thwart her ambitions as this sudden opportunity reveals the long-festering differences between the two of them.

Nkemefuna - "What is mine cannot be lost"

Nkemefuna follows Nkem and Ike, a pair of Nigerian-American siblings still dealing with the death of their father, who perished in the Twin Towers. Nkem left home after his death; upon her return years later, her presence precipitates unresolved issues with her brother, leading to a public confrontation. As the siblings struggle to work through their issues, a looming threat crystallizes.

Dr. West’s Fervor

Anthony West is an odd and quirky psychiatrist struggling with his own lifelong demons. He’s confronted on his own journey toward mental and emotional wholeness when he meets his new patient, Rose Angel. -

Mateo & Cliff

Mateo & Cliff is a story about a Black homeless man in LA battling with mental health issues whilst struggling to survive in a society that is structured to enable his downfall.

Pagliacci

Pagliacci is a film that follows Justine Jennings, a conservative news pundit, and asks what is the price of selling out in America, when being Black already costs.

Good Enough: A Modern Musical

A modern pop/R&B musical dealing with some of the most relevant issues of the day. College seniors Jamal and Trevor each think they have it all planned out until they have an unexpected encounter, but is their developing love enough to overcome their different backgrounds, paths, friends, and families?

Mixed Girl

Raised in a small racially divided town, Leslie, a white alcoholic, drug-addicted and vicious teenage mother falls for James, an African-American college student she meets at a fraternity party. Unbeknownst to James, she becomes pregnant and gives birth to a biracial baby girl. Burdened and left to raise two children, Leslie spirals into a world of chaos and alcohol abuse. Years later, James learns he fathered a troubled adolescent daughter and seeks to take custody. They battle to overcome her traumatic childhood as they bridge the gap between their two different worlds.

Welcome Back to My Channel

A murdered Youtube influencer comes back to life to exact revenge, using her Murder Mystery platform to expose her fellow influencers, (and former BFF and boyfriend) as her murderers.

Heart of The Hinterlands

Thina, Sonia, and Eliane reside in Nazare Da Mata, northeast Brazil, home of Maracatu – a century-old Carnival performance tradition.

This year, they will once again take part in the first-ever all-female Maracatu troupe, taking on the roles of warriors, kings and chiefs that are historically played only by men. As Carnaval approaches, they begin to push up against the limits of their equally traditional “supporting” roles of mothers, daughters, and helpers as they claim space in their local culture.

Following Thina, Sonia and Eliane through a week leading up to Carnaval, Heart of The Hinterlands is a nuanced and colorful observation of their daily battles as they redefine what it means to be a woman in today’s world.

Center

Music Video for SOM's new song "Center" from their latest album "The Shape of Everything" out January 21st 2022.

LET ME SEE YOU CLAP CLAP

CLAP

A tale as old as time itself, ‘Let Me See You Clap’ is a music video that illustrates black love and culture before the stain of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. It encompasses the sound and sensuality of African culture of past and present.

Malachi Rivers Actors Reel

Born in Prince George's County, Maryland, and trained in New York City, Malachi Rivers is an award-winning actor, rapper, and spoken-word artist who has performed on some of the world's most respected stages including the Kennedy Center and The Apollo Theatre and can be seen in the Oscar award-winning film Mank directed by David Fincher.

Rivers, is the recipient of the 2020 Indie Series Award for Best Soundtrack for his work as music supervisor on the award-winning digital series Poz Roz in which he stars as the lead male actor in the role of “Jabbar” and also serves as an executive producer on the show. Rivers received a 2020 Daytime pre-Emmy nomination for his work as an executive producer on Poz Roz. Poz Roz beat out hundreds of digital series to advance to the blue-ribbon round and receive the pre-nomination. The series also went on to win Outstanding Digital Series at the 2020 Micheaux Film Festival.

In 2019 Rivers was awarded Best Monologue and Best Vocal Performance in a Musical at the Mayan Industry Awards.
Rivers was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Urban Web Series awards for his role as "William Green" in the popular web series L.I.P.S.

In 2018, Rivers was the recipient of the Best
Performance in a Musical Award from the National Association of Women in the Arts for his role as “Chad Boss” in the NAACP Theatre award-winning play Ferguson.

Rivers, has appeared in several television shows and films including the hit web series Rhonda Mitchell M.D. as “Brian Donovan” on Roku and Afroland TV.
The series is now in development at a NBC.

Break/Up

BREAK/UP is a queer musical short film following three confidently flawed people who should definitely not be dating. Alex, torn between a toxic relationship and a fling, must come to terms with her own truth when she realizes a break-up might be exactly what everyone needs. It’s a bop-along musical story where it’s totally fine to burn bridges, especially when it comes to putting yourself first.

Twenty Minute Exotic Getaway

Terrorism and global pandemics have made destination travel a luxury of the past. Virtual reality "Getaways" have become the only escape. Devon becomes addicted to the VR travel experience, believing she is receiving a message from within the system.

Expecting

Taylor Armstrong is quite anxious about the impending arrival of their two twins - and tonight's gender reveal party doesn't make things any easier. Taylor has always had a rocky relationship with their father, who exudes toxic masculinity, and Taylor's male friends aren't much better, as they ruthlessly tease Taylor about Taylor's aversion to traditionally masculine activities like sports and hunting. As the pressure builds from Taylor's father and male friends during tonight's party, Taylor prepares to share the truth about their gender identity.

Masculinity can be particularly confining and confounding, and Taylor Armstrong's difficult journey in EXPECTING speaks to the traumatic experiences that many people who are born as biological men often have.

A Jared Milrad Film, starring award-winning actors Jack Settipane (LAST CALL with John Malkovich), Kiana Madani (THE PIRATES OF SOMALIA opposite Al Pacino and Evan Peters), and Mark Torres (DR. DEATH, DEXTER), with cinematography by Rafael Leyva (Disney's ULTRA VIOLET & BLUE DEMON, MARIACHI, THE OATH).

Finding Ripley

A couple gets caught up in looking for a little girl's dog, only to find themselves lost in a set up.

Last Patrol on Okinawa

Set on the fateful date; August 6th, 1945. Okinawa. Six weeks post-battle, a squad of U.S. Marines is assigned the unenviable and tedious job of clearing caves where fanatical Japanese soldiers hold out and forlorn Okinawan civilians seek refuge. After 3+ years of blood-soaked island-hopping, Stg. Woodson leads Cpl. Blackhat, Pfc. DuBois and newbie replacement, Pvt. Morris across terrain that, for three horrific months, was fought for at an unimaginable cost of human life; The toll of these experiences, and the anticipation of the presumed invasion of the Japanese mainland, constantly in mind. Despite their ever-uncertain mortality, each man's method for dealing with the deeply embedded fatigue of battle is as different as each of their desired post-war futures-- yet they must see the war through to the very end. Little do they know, the same morning they encounter an elderly Okinawan man and his daughter, their war would end, and the world would change forever as Hiroshima is bombed.

Caroline

A young actress's audition for a major movie takes an unexpected turn.

Brunch

Austin is invited to his first ever brunch, and his world is changed forever.

Richard

On a summer evening before the 4th of July in 1985, Richard Ramirez steals a Ford Bronco in the San Fernando Valley. He takes some LSD and has a psychedelic night at his room in the Cecil Hotel. He wakes up and looks at records and draws pentagrams on his skin. He finds some cocaine stashed away he’d forgotten about and becomes violent around his room. After selling some stolen speakers, he uses the money for food. While eating a gas station burrito, he spots an older woman alone and begins to stalk her for the rest of the night. As the night goes on, Richard sneaks into her house and decides which knife he's going to kill her with. He murders her and looks for food afterwards in the fridge. He heads back to the Cecil covered in blood as fireworks are ignited in the streets.

FIVE

At the age of 16, Malcolm was convicted of reckless homicide. While inside he converted to Islam, and after 7 years he is released. Now 23 years old, with no diploma, no work history, and no place to go, he returns to his childhood home seeking the forgiveness of his Mother. His crime has hurt her more than you can imagine.

Muslims are committed to Salat (praying) FIVE times a day to maintain devotion to Allah. Salat is one of the FIVE pillars that form the foundation of this faith along with Shahada (profession of faith), Zakat (charity), Sawm (Fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage). In the environment where Malcolm grew up, this will become increasingly difficult. The streets of Compton have their challenges and distractions, but Malcolm knows his faith is the only way he can be strong enough to confront his darkest mistake and heal the pain he caused his family.

Man Down

After the racially charged shooting of an unarmed teenager, an officer of color must decide whether to stand on the side of the law or seek justice for his community.

Under the Sun After the Wind

An isolated Black woman struggles mentally -- and physically -- against the news of COVID-19 and police brutality she sees online. An adaptation of the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Distribution: The Single Most Important Element of Filmmaking

Road Dogs

Three teen foster girls - Kid, Anna, and Jules - all have reasons for hating their group home. Kid is about to age out at 18 and has nowhere to go. Anna is having difficulties dealing with her hospitalized mother's recent overdose. And one of the male group home workers is sexually preying on Jules. Kid plots their escape to go in search of her biological mother, in hope of finding "home."

The Return: Making of Hues and Hidden Kings

The behind the scenes making of a short film made by young college students to reclaim their royal inheritance during the beginning of a divided racial and political era of American history. The film is a witness of students bonding together to create unity, creativity, and advocacy.

Ting Tang

Grief has overcome once-lovers Wesley and Vaughna. The stark difference in their coping mechanisms causes them to lose everything between them.

Last Bodega In Brooklyn

An Afro-latino family in Brooklyn runs a local bodega in their neighborhood. A new organic store owner moves across the street with plans of expanding his empire and taking over the bodega. This Brooklynite Tribe must band together to save their business and community from being gentrified.

A GIRL NAMED MARA

Rudolpho Valentino, framed for murder, is on the run. Several people track his location to a small town, and it becomes more and more difficult to decipher who has his best interest in mind. Are any of these people really who they claim to be?

Mark of Love : Celestial Burial

Mark of Love is the Mighty Story of a little Adventurous Girl who have her own Mother turned into a Giant Maned Wolf during a Battle
Will the Adventurous Girl be able to reverse back this Fatal Spell Condition and manage to see again her Mother under the form of an Human again ?

Dot

On the day of her daughter's seventh birthday party, a long-suffering caretaker finds herself in a dark and uninhibited situation.

Poets for the Revolution: A Poetic Protest

What happens when you bring the protest to the people? A film exploring the role of art and artists in the revolution.

Illegitimate Voice

Stefie Gan moved to the United States from Malaysia as a child. In this animated documentary, she recounts her experiences with culture shock, racism, and ultimately activism. Directed and animated by 16 students in the Documentary Animation Production class at USC.

Calabaza

On the Friday before Halloween, Martin, a South LA Mexican-American rocker dude, feels like celebrating. He’s getting ready to finally move out and has plans to carve pumpkins with his new love, Lynn, a Filipina rocker girl.

At the last minute, Lynn asks to change their date to his place, sending Martin into a panic. Martin is embarrassed to be living at home with his depressed alcoholic dad, Lorenzo and the evidence of their deteriorating relationship is all around him.

Martin scrambles to hide the truth about himself and Lorenzo, but when Lynn arrives, things get out of control and Martin realizes he can’t keep it all a secret anymore. He’s forced to confront his dad and his own insecurities, learning that honest, vulnerable conversations are the only way forward.

Becoming Black Lawyers

When these five Black lawyers set out on their journeys to receive a professional legal education, they did not realize that they would have to struggle against additional battles even more challenging than the rigors of learning the law in a hypercompetitive environment. They discover the contradictions of studying in an institution that idealistically represents "justice" for all.

Raw. Regal and Real Solo Show

Raw. Regal & Real is is the dynamic life of a college student by day, Graffiti artist at night witnessing a glimpse of lives in her daily commute on New York City’s Transit Subway. The show centers around this female graffiti artist family history, and the collective of people she meets on her journey.

Alex, Stop

Taylor seeks refuge after her brother's funeral and winds up at the home of her friend Alex. In light of an unforeseen adversary, Taylor demonstrates the complex strength survivors carry.

Color Your World

A girl who isn't satisfied with her relationships with her family and friends participates in a trial that simulates the seemingly perfect life through Virtual Reality.

Don't Frighten The Horses

Jesse desperately wants to hold Derek's hand, but he soon remembers that a bus stop is not a safe space for public displays of queer affection. A suggestive glance between them becomes more than they bargained for. True love takes courage, but in LA no one is braver than a gay who eats carbs.

Outside

Music Video Short Film for Hip Hop Artist KissGang Truly. KissGang Truly and Bandit have put in word that they are finally out of the "Game". But Hector and the Big Boss have other plans. Truly and Bandit must devise a plan to get Bandit's kidnapped baby back. Will they push through adversity to get Badit's baby back and leave the game for good?

Ivar Tunnel: Shook Ones

'Ivar Tunnel: Shook Ones' is a darkly comedic social thriller that glimpses into the psyche and isolation of a black woman.
Leigh Jones has moved into a new neighborhood in Hollywood, just beyond the Ivar Tunnel. Since moving, Leigh is met with icy glares and chilling shrieks from her neighbors. Simultaneously, Leigh is bombarded with notifications from the ‘Neighorlie’ app about the insidious happenings in Holly-hood.
One trending post about a homeless white woman shakes something alive in Leigh: “Please be kind to the newly unhoused woman in Ivar Tunnel with dog”. To Leigh’s chagrin, the post is flooded with comments in support of the “Unhoused Woman” from her “well-meaning” neighbors.
Leigh takes counsel from her friend Nicole, who reminds Leigh that she “is the boogeyman” and that her neighbors are “Shook Ones”. That reminder, along with liquid courage drives Leigh back to the Ivar Tunnel, where she attempts to take matters into her own hands.

"A" For Alpha

Harrison is a man stuck between two worlds: the one he was raised to know and the reality that he is actually living. Harrison and Vanessa appear to have the perfect relationship, but Harrison is struggling with insecurities regarding his role as a man in his relationship. These insecurities lead him to wonder what does it mean to be an Alpha? At one time men were instinctively thought to be the leaders in everything and women were expected to be submissive. While this archaic way of thinking is no longer the norm in today's society, Harrison is struggling with the shift in roles and identity in relationships. How is one supposed to juggle years of upbringing versus the expectations of today? What does it mean to be a man in today's society? What are the gender roles? What's acceptable and not acceptable for men and women? Harrison struggles to find himself and he struggles with the perception of society versus how he feels internally. On their anniversary Harrison and Vanessa will have to deal with secrets that will change the foundation of their relationship forever. Will they be able to find a common ground or will the conflicting realities of expectations versus idealistic notions prove too much for their relationship?

7 SHARP

Every family has one. A disgrace, a shameful dishonor, or a traumatic detail that is quietly tucked away under their grandmother's rug. 7 SHARP revolves around a very ordinary family of three generations: Gammy, Charlene and Kiki. They seem to be living a very ordinary life, facing struggles like most black families you find in Anytown, USA— until you take a closer look.

Copper & Wool

The week before her Orthodox Jewish wedding, Elisheva escapes to a rented room in the hills outside of Los Angeles to clear her head. While dodging calls from her mother and fiancé, Elisheva begins to form a life-changing bond with Meredith, the eccentric divorcee who owns the house she’s staying in.

Broken Drawer

Following a sudden breakup with his fiancé, Arjun Singh must confront childhood trauma hidden deep inside his family's heirloom. Inspired by true events and a tragic hate
crime, Broken Drawer explores the power of love and letting go.

The Role Of Each Fret

The story is about union of a couple in love by getting assistance from a joint effort of music and nature performed in Persian miniatures from ancient land of Iran

Temple Beauty

The story of Amber Osbourne from Compton who used the money she won from Snoop Dogg on a game show to open a neighborhood beauty supply store right before quarantine.

Think Lovely Thoughts

A young father navigates the visceral and often disorienting experience of living with anxiety, depression, and panic while trying to maintain a connection with his family and some semblance of normalcy. What is soon discovered, however, is that he isn't entirely sure what he's dealing with or even how to help himself. Will he succumb to the demons and face the fate that many have before him, or will he find a way out of this personal horror story?

Land Of Smiles

A former Priest searches for peace in a Thai Brothel.

Dear Mama...

Set in the 90s in South LA, a family grieving the loss of their beloved family member packs up their home in hopes of putting the past behind them. Tanisha, a young, artistic rap fan, tries to hold onto a beloved camera to feel closer to her mom. Meanwhile, Nate, unable to navigate his grief, buries them in work in hopes of numbing the pain. When the news of the death of a musical icon breaks, Tanisha plans to attend a vigil. When she’s met with resistance from Nate, they’re both forced to confront the emotional aftermath of their own tragedy before taking the first steps to heal.

An Island Drifts

Set in Singapore, a young teacher presses for the truth from a maladjusted student, the act leads to devastating results and they suffer the ignominy of losing everything that matters to them. The story holds a mirror up to society, where a mistake can derail a life in an overly pressurized world.

Separated

A teen influencer rebrands her social identity as she struggles to contact her incarcerated mother.

Growing Peace in the Middle East

A 7th grader from New York is inspired by a visit to Sindyanna of Galilee in Israel - a unique non-profit organization led by a team of Arab and Jewish women working together to create social change from the ground up. He spends the year during the pandemic inspired to document the new hydroponics project at Sindyanna, which strives to enhance Arab-Jewish cooperation, while creating economic opportunities for Arab women.

Leo

Leo a former contract killer, tries to turn his life around after a horrible mistake. He soon finds out second chances aren’t always easy.

Reminiscence

A poet travels through landscapes that are like poems and paintings, understanding his dreams and looking for his transcendence.

We are inspired by the traditional Chinese ink wash paintings, poems, and music to create these imageries of dreams and memories. We believed in image storytelling that is full of life and simple characters could help us get a better understanding of Chinese philosophy and aesthetics. Working through this process, we aroused our love, inner resonance, and longing for life. The core of this film is the thinking and reflections on traditional Chinese philosophy and aesthetics. The love we have that comes with our reflections brings out our attachment to the culture. It represents our attitude, our commitment, and our exploration of the possible representation of the philosophical in visual art.

Keep/Delete

In a future world where memories are handled like computer files, two lovers decide to undergo a procedure and have their entire relationship wiped from their brains.

How To Wash The Dead

Saif is young, angry, Muslim, American. Vulnerable after his father’s death, and enthralled by online extremist content, he drags himself and his brother into the depths of misplaced vengeance. He is forced to deal with the devastating aftermath.

The Other Side of Normal - 'Sleep with Both Eyes Open'

After discovering Eric wants a divorce and her surrogate Valerie wants to keep the baby, Sarai arrives at home to deal with the aftermath. During their argument, Sarai and Eric are interrupted by an unexpected visitor.

After a veiled threat from Sarai, Eric's anxiety turns to whether he'll make it out unscathed overnight.

LEGACY

LEGACY profiles gentrification, romance and inheritance as Jada Lane faces the complex decision to give up her New York City lifestyle or lose her father’s business and the continuation of his legacy in the community.

HERE

It’s August 1995 and Meskerem, a first generation Ethiopian American girl, is starting her first day of middle school. As she takes her seat, she quickly finds herself singled out following a polarizing exchange with her teacher that leaves her feeling isolated and ostracized. After learning what Meskerem has encountered at school, her immigrant mother reminds her to never allow her identity to be stripped away by the world. A lesson that stays with Meskerem throughout her days to come.

Blue Porcelain

A woman discovers her family’s magical, cathartic process of coping with death, all through her mother’s sacred china.

Eurostep

When New York meets London by way of Africa. Can strangers with different backgrounds find common ground to build a future or will they return to the familiarities of their past?
have your ever been lost and found at the same time?

Chevy "Be First"

A self-funded spec ad for Chevrolet highlighting the career of Bill Lester, the first black NASCAR driver to win any Grand Am division race.

JORDAN

When a tween mermaid enthusiast discovers an ailing water creature, she uses a magical wish to change the fate of their existence...and her own. JORDAN engages the genre of fantasy and cli-fi (climate fiction) to shape a fairytale where everyone has agency and representation.

Summa Culpa Laude

Seph, a perfectionist high schooler, struggles between wanting to become valedictorian to win the validation of her father and following her true dream of dancing. When GPAs are posted, Seph’s rival takes the top ranking while she is just below him as salutatorian. Seph quickly abandons her morals, learns of her family’s dark past, and must live with the guilt of her wrongdoings while under the darkness of her father’s shadow.

No Church In The Wild: Act 2

Based on a True Story. Leslie Wagner-Wilson, trapped in Jonestown, a controlling, destitute settlement run by an increasingly manic Jim Jones, has grown increasingly disillusioned. Leslie’s husband Joe however, has risen through the ranks of the People’s Temple cult and, despite knowing of his wife’s unhappiness, is determined to keep her and their son in Jonestown. As conditions at the settlement deteriorate, Leslie grows more desperate, and along with a few other People’s Temple members, take a big risk for a chance at freedom, not knowing whether or not they’ll make it out alive.

40ish...

A determined 40-year-old actress faces age discrimination and when she lands the break she's waited for, casting demands to know her "real," age before they'll hire her for the role, forcing her once again to face the reality that age dictates the rules for talent.

Spec COMMERCIAL, Jason Markk

A commercial under a minute. Why Jason Markk is the best shoe cleaner.

Daughters of a Different Path

Daughters of a Different Path is a story about a young woman, Leanna, who seeks her mother’s acceptance. After her mother rejects her decision of becoming Muslim, Leanna begins to deal with inner obstacles of doubt. The story is not only about Leanna’s conversion and the repercussions of her decision, but also a story about transforming her mother’s rejection to love.

The Best Time

Sydney is doing everything she can to meet the demands of being a new mom. She feels the pressure to bounce back, care for the baby, and be the best wife. Exhausted from a lack of uninterrupted sleep, a never-ending stream of dirty laundry, and pumping until her nipples are sore, Sydney decides to return to the office as a means to feel “normal” again. However, unable to secure childcare, she remains tied to the house. Turning to her husband Derrick for comfort, whose blind to her unhappiness, a depressed and seemingly alone Sydney loses the battle within herself.

A Florida Story

Welcome to Florida, a place where a meth-addicted couple stole a motorized handicap cart from Walmart and drove it down the highway because they didn’t feel like walking to the bar; where a man beat his boyfriend nearly to death with a singing bass fish after arguing about what to have for dinner; where a cemetery groundskeeper called the police because he thought one of the corpses had climbed out of their grave; where the mall Easter Bunny beat the crap out of a kid for bullying another boy; a place where Floridaman and Floridawoman roam free.

The Pulpit: Prelude

"The Pulpit: Prelude" is about small town politics and the challenges faced by progressive leadership. The film sheds light on the violence and prejudice in a variety of faith communities and the challenges of seeking help from institutions like law enforcement.

This short film is a prelude to a feature-length Thriller of the same name. "THE PULPIT" will return.

Inspired by a True Story.

Muscle Memory

“Muscle Memory” is a conceptual nonlinear short film that follows Tariq, who makes his living as a hoofer like his late father Yayha. On the anniversary of Yahya’s death, he dedicates a dance to him, which triggers childhood memories.

Bald: The Series

In a world of smoke and mirrors where appearance is everything, a struggling actor in his late 20's tries to hold on to his last redeeming quality - his hair.

PRIVOKE

Stevie, a dark skinned “color obsessed” black woman, buys a “beauty cream,” which unlocks an evil ancestral spirit, whose power grows from her darkest fears.

Decisions

When a high-class businessman and a jaded sex worker find themselves together for a night, they realize that they need each other for more reasons than one.

PeloLove

Amid the pandemic, Alexis successfully found her true love despite quarantining alone. Today, for modern love segment, a TV reporter interviews Alexis about the new long distance romance. Our reporter soon finds this love story may not be the "real" story.

SUPER DILEMMA

ROOMATES AFTER A LONG DAY OF WORK, DISCOVER MAYBE LIFE ISNT AS SIMPLE AS SHARING MOM'S LASAGNA

Go

“Go” is an energetic single that gives fans a glimpse into Tiago Vega’s new EP that blends afrobeat, electro-pop, and hip hop. Although the track details Tiago’s frustrations with his relationship, the accompanying music video takes viewers on a romantic adventure through Acapulco, Mexico.

American Hero

American Hero is a film about a female veteran contending with PTSD, an emotional trauma we typically associate with warfare. But as our story unfolds, we learn her trauma stems from sexual assault by a superior officer.

OFFBRAND

OFFBRAND is a Music Video/Short that speaks on people pretending to be someone they're not. In today's age there are many people pretending on the internet. However in real life more often than not, there are consequences sooner or later. In other words.. Stay true to who you are and don't pretend to be something you're not.

Shoutout 2 My Therapist

This series centers around Nicole, a New York transplant, as she finds herself in therapy after quitting her job. This is where she realizes that she has more to address than what led her there. We follow Nicole through her therapy sessions as she tries to find her way back, but does she really want that?

The 5th of April

When a capable and hardworking young Black woman seeks advancement in her corporate career, she comes face-to-face with the gender and racial biases of her workplace. All the while, a broader climate of hate continues to grow.

Hermanita

After recently being released from prison, Daniella learns that her little sister has been abused at the hands of her stepfather and has to decide if her duty to protect her sister is more important than freedom.

Tosin Morohunfola Acting Reel

Tosin is an actor and Kansas-transplant now based in LA who you may know from “The Chi” (Showtime), “Black Lightning” (CW), “Chicago Med” (NBC), “Love Is” (OWN), or his series regular work in “Run The World” (STARZ). He’ll also be recurring on the upcoming series’ “Julia” (HBO) and ABC’s “Everything’s Trash” (Freeform).

He also stars in Amazon’s Blackbox, BET’s romantic comedy Always A Bridesmaid, the erotic thriller, Friend Request and Oscar-winner Kevin Willmott’s “The 24th”, which was nominated for a NAACP Image award. Up next, he’ll costar in 1992 with Ray Liotta and Tyrese Gibson.

You are watching the 2021 Drama Reel for NAACP-Image Award nominee, Tosin Morohunfola. Click below to see more.
https://youtu.be/5URyK5Mjm_k
https://youtu.be/lVse9T3Kc8I
https://youtu.be/7usScf10B_8

The Adventures of Rashaad in Real Estate

The Adventures of Rashaad in Real Estate is a comedy set in the absurd, cutthroat, high stakes world of Los Angeles realty. It centers on Rashaad, a rookie realtor, wading through this strange profession. Becoming a realtor is a dream come true for our main character, but it’s just the beginning of his story. This is a comedy, but it has soul. In between the goofy characters and the awkward situations, Rashaad is doing the hard work of getting to know, and just be, himself.

食物瘾者

One More Bite

Jiuming who suffers from eating disorders for years finds herself deeply trapped in an indecent love affair; While restraining her desire for food, she refused the irresistible love...

For Sale

For Sale is a short film that addresses mental health in the Black community by telling an intimate story through the lens of a young, married couple.

Beyond Ed Buck

From Jayce Baron and Hailie Sahar (Pose), Beyond Ed Buck follows the tragic murders that took place by the hands of Democratic political donor, Edward Buck. The documentary expands the conversation in which Black trans and Black gay-identified men fall prey to the sexual fetishes and baiting of crystal meth that exist throughout history. These encounters often result in fatal endings for many innocent people who just so happen to live under the umbrella of being queer and Black in America.

Filled with real-life survivors, community leaders, and families who give heartfelt testimonials, Beyond Ed Buck is a call-to-action work of art meant to inspire change in the world surrounding us so that one day the value of all human life will be acknowledged as one race of people.

Hues and Hidden Kings [2021 WINNER Re-play!]

The redefining declaration of inheritance made by African American artist.

Academy 365 (Recording)

Selahy (My Weapon)

A short narrative film that takes place in war-torn Yemen and follows a young deaf girl, Saleemah who has one major love in this world; her camera which her brother Aqeel introduced her to. Aqeel works as a news reporter and is unable to take her out to film because he is preoccupied covering the war. Frustrated, Saleemah wanders out of the house during an impending air strike. To make matters worse, she loses her hearing aids.

The Golden Teacher

After being triggered by an old memory of a past lover, Koi uses magic mushrooms to cope with residual feelings. New to psychedelics, Koi unknowingly enters an altered reality where their ego is broken down in real time. By the end of the trip Koi has an epiphany about what actually matters. Love.

The Magic

The Magic is a holiday love story about a hotshot attorney David Kane (Emmy® winner Kristos Andrews) who loses the Christmas spirit and closes his heart to love following a tragic loss fifteen years earlier. Now, with the help of his guardian angels, twin sisters Mary Lou and Misty (Bianca D'Ambrosio and Chiara D'Ambrosio), David soon finds himself falling for paralegal Carolina Castillo (International star Alejandra Espinoza) and believing in the magic of Christmas all over again.

Guns and Stuff

What would you do if you found out the plans of an undercover detective? What if that detective was from Wakanda? Alexander, a 14-year-old African American foster teen, runs away in search of a new life. What seemed like a good start at first quickly unfolded into a series of unexpected events. Events that you would’ve never guessed would happen.

Tangzi, an undercover Wakanda detective, is sent to retrieve stolen vibranium from a hardcore gang. As prepared as he was for his mission, he would’ve never guessed a foster teen would be interfering with his plans of success. But, stressed out and not knowing what to do, Tangzi needs to find out how to resolve the situation. Or it will cost him his job. Maybe even his life.

Emily Vere Nicoll - Acting Demo Reel

Highlights from my acting career.

I AM ALREADY FREE

This is the true story of a Los Angeles homeless man celebrating a moment of great clarity with a song he wrote and recorded in his vehicle… a vehicle that has served as both his cocoon and his shelter for the past 3 years. This stirring depiction of the innate aims to highlight the power of transformation working within each one of us, no matter the journey…no matter the path.

Categories: Experimental Short, Super Short, Music Video

Picture This...

When Jay, a quirky Hollywood talent manager's number one client, Rita pays him an unexpected visit to his office to fire him, he pulls out ALL the stops to keep her from doing that.

Crabs in a Bucket

Nelson, a an ambitious recent graduate works on his resume in hopes of finding a job during the Covid 19 pandemic. His roommates Corey and Tyler are uninterested in his job search instead focused on more immature pursuits. One day, Nelson gets an interview at a 3D animation studio but the zoom call is interrupted by his roommates antics. Nelson starts posting rejection emails on his bedroom wall. He explains to Corey that his dad always told him "every no gets you closer to a yes," but then asserts his "father did not graduate in the middle of a pandemic with student loans." Finally, Nelson returns from his food delivery gig one night to find Corey watching the news and Tyler cleaning his bong in the sink. Tyler asks his roommates if they want shots and bong rips. Corey and Nelson agree and Tyler gives a toast to "getting through this pandemic shit together." Nelson consciousness fades while watching Andrew Cuomo on the TV. When Nelson regains consciousness he is laughing on the floor while Corey giggles in a chair and Tyler strums electric guitar chords. Nelson asks if they have been drugged and Tyler refuses to answer. Nelson tackles Tyler and a fight ensues. The fight ends when Tyler explains that his roommates have been "so pent up they have forgotten how to have a good time." Tyler jumps in the chair with Corey and gives him a kiss on the cheek. Nelson calls them both assholes before being beckoned over to join the group hug.

Song of the Same Night

How do five strangers scattered across the world find solace in each other during a global pandemic? An new social media platform and the international language of song.

Fishbowl

FISHBOWL follows Natalie Song (17) as she returns home with her childhood friend, Joanne Cheng (18), to celebrate Chinese New Year at the Cheng household. Navigating festivities that were once inviting but now seem tinged with a foreign animosity, Natalie finds herself trapped between the burgeoning attraction she feels for Joanne and the unnerving attention placed upon them by both their families. Behind coded pleasantries and the gifting of an innocent goldfish as unwitting accomplice, Joanne's ever-perceptive mother, Deborah, blackmails Natalie into ending her flirtation with Joanne. Natalie drives back to school the next morning, contemplating Deborah's unspoken ultimatum.

The Well

Shot in NYC; THE WELL is the story of 17-year-old Tasha Fields who is fighting for her life; caught in the middle of a deadly domestic dispute between her parents.

ולדה נוסעת ללונדון

Vlada Goes to London

Vlada is a pizza delivery girl who lives in Haifa and dreams of becoming a famous DJ. Within a five-hour shift, we get a glimpse into her world full of pressure where she's willing to do whatever it takes to find the money for a flight to perform at a festival in London.

Parents

“Parents” is the story of Isaiah and Alanna who have both given up on the idea of love and marriage and decide, “shoot why not just have kids together since we’ll never find love”. The ironic part about it is, they found love with each other and everyone sees it but them. The idea of just being “Parents” sounds amazing until she gets pregnant and their world changes forever. We watch their relationship change from being friends to parents to lovers to possibly enemies. They realize that they may have bitten off more than they can chew with this situation.

Hallelujah

“After being stuck with the guardianship of their annoying, bookworm nephew, two brothers in Compton CA have to decide if they are willing to take on the responsibility of being caretakers."

SAPO

A southern belle and a Colombian singer live a happy life together in New York City, but their lives are threatened as secrets about their relationship are revealed.

*Adversity EP 4, 5

Adversity, starring Enrico Colantoni (Just Shoot Me, Veronica Mars) follows eight TV writers in a network diversity program who compete for a staff position while being led by a racist exec who's been demoted due to multiple sexual harassment lawsuits.

#BTSD

#BTSD (Black Traumatic Stress Disorder) examines the psychological effects that violent acts against Black Americans, as continuously displayed in the news media, have on the average person of color.

My Asian

From the perspective of Emmy-Award Winning Poet and Performer, Suzen Baraka, this short shares her story of growing up Black and Korean in America, and struggling with shame, helplessness and rage before finding pride, power and courage. MY ASIAN is a poetic rallying cry, highlighting the horrific miscarriages of justice that Asian-Americans and Asians in America are, and have historically been subjected to: from day-to-day micro-aggressions to actual acts of violence and terror against members of our community.

Biz Bestie Showdown

Biz Bestie Showdown is a competition show for women entrepreneurs and their business bestie compete for a prize and the title of, The Best of The Biz Besties! Will they rise to the challenge or will the challenge get the best of them? Find out on Biz Bestie Showdown!

Sojourn

Athena Barnes is interrogated by Detective Ray Sanger in a small town police precinct. Alone together, Athena uses her special abilities to reveal the real reason she is in this place with Ray and take him on a journey that will only end when she achieves her main goal: revenge for the wrongful death of Gil Landry.

who are you?

Told exclusively through hands, 'who are you?' shares the story of two elderly lovers who meet for the first time. It isn't long before they learn their time together is limited.

Blue

Blue is a short film about the struggle of being different.

Jalisa

After the passing of their father, Jalisa moves to Texas to live with her older brother. Summer break has just begun and love is in the air, the honeymoon phase is soon cut short when an altercation between her brother and new man takes place.

The Champion

When second-grader Jacob begins to exhibit some troubling behaviors in school his mother must battle racism, ableism, and a global pandemic to ensure he receives services rather than a suspension.

Sebari Milach

Sebari Milach is an awareness film aimed to show the dark ritualistic practices of female circumcision illegally practiced in Africa. This film touches on a true story about a young Ethiopian girl who gets tricked by her mother into getting circumcised at a ritual purification ceremony shortly after her sister passed away from the same practice.

Sherold!

A former party girl turned mom and her bestie struggle to come to terms with her new lifestyle.

Born Identity

Faith, Identity and Sexuality. Our questions go unanswered mainly because we don't ask. What if we asked what's in our head? Were you born this way? Nature vs. Nurture? What's your story?

Sign the Show

Cat Brewer directed and produced the feature-length documentary Sign the Show, which highlights the challenges and barriers faced by the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community as they fight to gain access to live entertainment specifically music, comedy, and theater.

Brewer served as an educator for the past 22 years with no background in the film industry but had a wild idea to create a documentary that advocates for an often underserved and marginalized population of 40 plus million people in the US alone. She purchased a camera and traveled across the United States interviewing people like Kelly Clarkson, D.L. Hughley, Waka Flocka Flame, DJ Whoo Kid, Camryn Manheim, André 3000, Chuck D., Ani DiFranco, Matt Maxey (DEAFinitely Dope), Julie Rems Smario (LEAD-K), Nyle DiMarco and so many more in hopes of bringing about a conversation and awareness to the things that hearing people often take for granted.

Cat Brewer hopes her film will create a cultural shift in entertainment by making open access the norm because she believes no one should have to fight to get access to things that bring them joy.

Home Soon

Set at the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement, a weary mother's fears and desires for her mentally distressed son’s future hang in the balance while awaiting his arrival home. HOME SOON examines a family’s collective, and unprocessed trauma, which is often eclipsed by police violence.

HOME SOON is a snapshot of time capturing all that is, and all that was hoped for immediately prior to an all too familiar tragedy faced by many in Black communities across America.

Nina has not seen or heard from her son Troy since the previous evening. His girlfriend Simone pops over for an unexpected visit in an attempt to locate her love who has uncharacteristically “ghosted” her the night before. Our drama depicts a pivotal moment where both women, in an attempt to reroute worry, hash out their differences in how they love Troy in his absence. Their exchange reveals fears, hopes and conflicting desires all left unresolved until his anticipated return home.

Fever

“FEVER” is a psychological thriller that follows Jay, who after a series of violent events, escapes his racist family to embark on a new life with his Black boyfriend, Andre. While taking a pit stop to celebrate Andre’s mother’s 50th birthday, Jay’s mental health unravels as he faces the realities of his interracial relationship and the dangers of his whiteness.

Lesbian Miserables

Across all of the United States, there are only 21 gay bars for the women, non-binary, and trans masc community... this is the story of Lesbian Miserables.

Izzy's Demons

Izzy is a person who struggles with the decision to reconnect with an old friend. As she gives into her jealousy for her friend’s success, she makes a decision that her subconscious does not let her get away with so easy.

Her relationship with this person is splayed in front of her and she realizes that something isn’t adding up. Memories start taking a turn for the worse and she realizes why they aren’t talking to each other.

Only when she confronts her anxieties can she be released from her subconscious.

Thursday

A girls' night becomes deadly when a woman, on the cusp of either a mental breakthrough or breakdown, finds out her friends and boyfriend have betrayed her.

藏匿處

Hideout

Drug dealer Guo-hao hopes to make enough money so that he and his girlfriend can leave their life of crime behind. One day, he is contacted by Michael, a drug broker with an offer to buy a batch of rare cocaine.

Guo-hao teams up with long-time buddy Da-wei to borrow money from local crime boss Uncle Ma to complete this deal.

On the day of the exchange, however, Michael is found dead and the drugs are already gone. The owner of the cocaine threatens to kill Guo-hao if he fails to come up with the drugs or money. At the same time, Uncle Ma dispatches his henchmen to recover the loan.

In the middle of the night, Guo-hao receives a phone call from a mysterious man claiming to be in possession of the lost cocaine, telling Guo-hao he has a new deal for him…

The Inventor

In July 1916, Garrett Morgan and his brother Frank risked their lives to save miners trapped in an underground inferno using an invention of Garrett's own making. But the morning newspapers left their heroic efforts out of the story entirely.

FUEGO

The film begins with a look at the generation’s past, a snapshot of Giovanni’s father dancing with a woman back in the 1980s. This is an example of his “Fuego,” the purpose or passion in one’s life. The story that Gio tells about his Fuego is framed around his friends, Eddie and Joel in a bar on New Year’s Eve, leading up to midnight.

Gio starts off with a trip to a nightclub with his brother Francisco and his long-time girlfriend, Nadine to a salsa dancing lesson. He sees the instructor, Camila, and the spark ignites inside of him before even being asked to join. Gio takes a liking to salsa dancing and maybe even Camila herself.

The truth comes out that Francisco and Nadine were never students of Camila and Francisco was leading Gio with a lie that Camila was asking about Gio when he was too busy with work and couldn’t attend the lessons at the club that week. Gio feels betrayed and doesn’t want anything to do with Francisco, even if it means not backing up his brother when he’s about to take the biggest step of his life on New Year’s in front of the whole family.
We return back to the present as Gio’s tale ends. Gio chooses to work on New Year’s, not spending the night with Francisco or Camila, but instead with Eddie and Joel to tell this story.
Moments before midnight, Gio sneaks away to check his Instagram feed and sees that Francisco is newly engaged to Nadine, popping the question this evening. He deeply regrets not being with his brother and family tonight as he watches other happy couples and family celebrate the new year.

The festivities end with Francisco making a last-minute appearance at Gio’s bar to celebrate his engagement. The two have a heart-to-heart conversation which really shows what Gio should have been focusing on all this time while searching for his Fuego, the importance of family. Not wanting to waste any more time, he also makes amends with Camila first thing in the new year, demonstrating that moment of happiness that he sought after for the majority of the past year.

Crystal & Chelsea

Crystal and Chelsea is a half-hour comedy pilot about Crystal, a psychic that scams white women into being less racist, learning how to navigate a friendship with her roommate, Chelsea, a
white woman set on having the “Pinterest perfect” life. Consider it to be “ Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 meets Miss
Cleo with sprinklings of Love Witch.

SOUND

Photographer Isabelle Pisano becomes hearing-impaired after a violent car accident. As she struggles to cope in the muffled and scary new normal something beautifully-terrifying happens...

Upload

When a brilliant coder, Jet (Elijah Rashad Reed), steals a device that uploads any ability to the human consciousness he gets caught in a war between revolutionaries and the authorities. Now, he must use his newfound power to bring balance to his world before he loses his life.

How to do Sh!t with Guido Gagootz - Season 3

With the help of his diverse Brooklyn neighbors, a stubborn, argumentative, yet oddly woke tracksuit wearing Italian-American, known as Guido “Gagootz” Gaguzzi, starts a “How To” YouTube channel (purely for tax right-off purposes) that never actually teaches you “how to” do anything.

Fade

When Myles inherits a watch that gives him the power to teleport, he begins to discover the mystery behind his father’s untimely death.

Taffeta

Based on their play "Lavender Men," playwright-performer Roger Q. Mason explores questions of identity and vicious cycles of addiction in their short film "Taffeta." As a toxic phone sex relationship spirals out of control, the titular Taffeta must confront whether they will be able to break out of the destructive habits and crippling loneliness that have haunted their life.

HEARTLAND

A woman attempts to immortalize her dying grandfather using virtual reality technology, but her obsession with documenting drives a wedge between them.

Mid-Coitus

When confronted with a case of rape, Assistant District Attorney must struggle with her bias to determine whether she'll charge the woman. She enlisted her friends to help her make the decision.

Wish Hill

Kaden and Damon find their childhood wearied amidst the pandemic. As quarantine fatigue sets in, Kaden becomes increasingly aware that the new normal is capricious. With the desperate need to escape, Kaden and Damon go on an adventure filled with exploration and discovery that holds the answer to what they desire most.

Jumptown

Logline / Synopsis:
Jumptown
Sports Documentary

24 mins, A documentary film about two legendary northeast Portland high school basketball teams and the African American community that houses them, as it struggles with gentrification.

Jesse Handsher (@bywaterfilms)
Director and Producer

Kyle Sykes (@kylesyks)
Main Editor, Sound Design, Story Direction

One Magenta Afternoon

One Magenta Afternoon is a picture about a young African American boy, Les, and his Pop Pop, who use jazz music as a bridge into the world of the dead. Les tumbles through the visions and memories of 5 queer spirits from different times.

This film is for African American magic: for Hoodoo, Rootwork. This film is about the love between a Black grandson and a Black grandfather — for my own grandfather, a jazz musician and artist — this film is about a black youth’s connection to analog technology, the love for ingenuity & practical divinity. This work is for the child I never got to fully be and yet the child i was unashamed to be in the presence of my Pop Pop: the soft boy, the lavender boy.

One Magenta Afternoon is a short narrative afroqueer jazz fashion film, and proof of concept film for my original feature film script Lavender Boy.

Ten Feet Wide: The Story of a Skinny House

This is the inspirational story of Nathan Seely, a black carpenter who, against all odds, built an extraordinary ten-foot-wide skinny home in the Village of Mamaroneck, New York, during the Great Depression.

Shreveport Son Short film

A young man reunites with a childhood friend during the last 37 hours of his life.

"410 Stamped"

A young singer, Rashida, finds the magic of her voice on one wild night. Starring Eden Duncan-Smith (See You Yesterday, Roxanne Roxanne)

The Fourth

Eager to celebrate the 4th of July, a group of young black and Latino friends experience a police encounter that shatters the meaning of the holiday.

Tundra

Walfrido Larduet, a lonely electrical inspector, dreams of the Red Woman, whose image persists and becomes an obsession. Something tells him she is near. Over the course of a day, Walfrido will follow her trail as he travels through the suburbs of an infested city.

Spin

A happy-go-lucky baker is thrown for a loop after an unexpected run-in at work.

Six Feet Apart

In El Paso, Son stands in the shower, his cinnamon skin glistening, as he prepares for his father’s funeral. Memories flood into his head of the contentious relationship between a gay Latinx man and his religious Dad, as he journeys to a funeral in the times of COVID.

Pieces of a Memory

Pieces of a Memory is a short film that explores a simple fact: our conception of the person that we love the most exists solely in our own reality. Other people have their own memories of our loved one and these scattered pieces constitute the totality of who our loved one truly was. In meeting someone else's memory of our loved one, we may meet a piece of our loved one anew.

Thoughts Run Life

A girl struggles to redirect her life back onto her path of pursuing dream.