In an age where even the smallest infraction can become a capital offense, driving a couple of blocks can seem like The Hunger Games for a Black person.

Dmitri is a pizza guy who would rather smoke weed and suffer for his art, but his mom and his girl won’t stop nagging him to get a real job. When he’s offered a gig mouthing off to tourists behind the wheel of a Hollywood “star tour” bus, it looks like everyone might get what they want. Trouble is, our man can’t seem to step out the door to get to the interview without endless complications: busted radiators, simple weed scores gone sideways and LAPD cruisers seemingly everywhere. Dmitri’s skill at going unnoticed by cops is honed by painful experiences growing up Black in L.A., but even his keen survival instincts won’t save him from the week from hell.

The post ‘Driving While Black’ – Coming Soon appeared first on Films of Color.

Charlie could be joining Zoey in college on black-ish. https://www.buzzfeed.com/marcusjones/zoey-is-not-the-only-black-ish-character-joining-the?utm_term=.ydya2verj

Pitch was canceled. http://deadline.com/2017/05/pitch-canceled-fox-one-season-1202081028/

Sleepy Hollow was canceled.  http://share.ew.com/PqQ3OO7

Donald Glover is writing an animated Deadpool show.  http://ti.me/2q4MsYR

Scandal to end after seven seasons. http://ew.com/tv/2017/05/10/scandal-ending-season-7/

American Crime canceled. http://deadline.com/2017/05/american-crime-canceled-abc-3-seasons-1202090548/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Underground may be facing trouble. http://www.theroot.com/underground-is-fighting-for-its-tv-life-with-a-network-1795101928

Dee Rees is developing a horror film about a Black lesbian couple. https://shadowandact.com/dee-rees-developing-horror-film-about-black-lesbian-couple-in-rural-america-with-get-out-producer

The post Weekly Roundup – Week of April 30 and May 7 appeared first on Films of Color.

Lionsgate orders two more Tyler Perry films, and Madea may be getting pregnant. http://shadowandact.com/2017/04/21/madea-might-be-pregnant-in-the-next-tyler-perry-movie-about-the-matriarch/

Luke Cage Season Two starts shooting this summer. http://screenrant.com/luke-cage-season-2-shooting-schedule/ 

Dule Hill joins Suits. http://www.spoilertv.com/2017/04/suits-season-7-dule-hill-joins-cast-as.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#link_time=1493153278

Anika Noni Rose options Daniel José Older’s Shadowshaper. http://deadline.com/2017/04/anika-noni-rose-shadowshaper-book-rights-daniel-jose-older-1202077920?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Hit the Floor moves to BET. http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/hit-floor-season-four-renewal-switching-vh1-bet/

Blavity acquires Shadow and Act. https://shadowandact.com/shadow-and-act-has-been-acquired-by-blavity-inc-2

Dear White People premiered on Netflix. Trailer here.

The post Weekly Roundup – Week of April 23rd appeared first on Films of Color.

The NAACP Image Award ceremony aired last night, and Black-ish and The People vs. OJ racked up. Viola Davis and Mahershala Ali continued the quest to fill a storage unit with awards. And the speeches were inspiring. Check out the list of winners in the television and film categories.

Television

Outstanding Drama Series – Queen Sugar

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series – Anthony Anderson (Black-ish)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series – Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us)

Outstanding Comedy Series – (Black-ish)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series – Taraji P. Henson (Empire)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series – Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Laurence Fishburne (Black-ish)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Tichina Arnold (Survivor’s Remorse)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Jussie Smollett (Empire)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Naturi Naughton (Power)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series – The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special – Courtney B. Vance (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special – Regina King (American Crime)

Outstanding Children’s Program – An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series) – Marsai Martin (Black-ish)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series – Kenya Barris (Black-ish)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series – Ava DuVernay (Queen Sugar)

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series – Donald Glover (Atlanta – “Value”)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series – John Singleton (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story – “The Race Card”)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television) – Rick Famuyiwa (Confirmation)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television) – Charles Murray (Roots – “Night 3”)

Film

Outstanding Motion Picture – Hidden Figures

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture – Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture – Denzel Washington (Fences)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture – Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Viola Davis (Fences)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture – Moonlight

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film) – Barry Jenkins (Moonlight)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film) – Idris Elba (The Jungle Book)

Entertainer of the Year – Dwayne Johnson
Congratulations to all the NAACP Image Award winners. The full list of winners can be found here.

The post 48th NAACP Image Award Winners appeared first on Films of Color.

Award season in full swing, and the NAACP has released their nominations for the 2017 Image Awards. Anthony Anderson will serve as host. Nominations pretty much went as expected. Check the list below to see who got nominated and tune into the Image Awards. Good luck to all the nominees.

TELEVISION

Outstanding Comedy Series

• “Atlanta” (FX)
• “black-ish” (ABC)
• “Insecure” (HBO)
• “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)
• “The Carmichael Show” (NBC)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

• Anthony Anderson – “black-ish” (ABC)
• Don Cheadle – “House of Lies” (Showtime)
• Donald Glover – “Atlanta” (FX)
• Dwayne Johnson – “Ballers” (HBO)
• Kevin Hart – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” (BET)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

• Issa Rae – “Insecure” (HBO)
• Keesha Sharp – “Lethal Weapon” (FOX)
• Niecy Nash – “The Soul Man” (TV Land)
• Tracee Ellis Ross – “black-ish” (ABC)
• Uzo Aduba – “Orange Is the New Black” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

• David Alan Grier – “The Carmichael Show” (NBC)
• Deon Cole – “black-ish” (ABC)
• Laurence Fishburne – “black-ish” (ABC)
• Miles Brown – “black-ish” (ABC)
• Tituss Burgess – “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

• Erica Ash – “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)
• Laverne Cox – “Orange Is The New Black” (Netflix)
• Marsai Martin – “black-ish” (ABC)
• Tichina Arnold – “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)
• Yvonne Orji – “Insecure” (HBO)

Outstanding Drama Series

• “Empire” (FOX)
• “Power” (Starz)
• “Queen Sugar” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
• “This Is Us” (NBC)
• “Underground” (WGN America)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

• Kofi Siriboe – “Queen Sugar” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
• Mike Colter – “Marvel’s Luke Cage” (Netflix)
• Omari Hardwick – “Power” (Starz)
• Sterling K. Brown – “This Is Us” (NBC)
• Terrence Howard – “Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

• Jurnee Smollett-Bell – “Underground” (WGN America)
• Kerry Washington – “Scandal” (ABC)
• Rutina Wesley – “Queen Sugar” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
• Taraji P. Henson – “Empire” (FOX)
• Viola Davis – “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

• Alfred Enoch – “How To Get Away With Murder” (ABC)
• Jesse Williams – “Greys Anatomy” (ABC)
• Joe Morton – “Scandal” (ABC)
• Jussie Smollett – “Empire” (FOX)
• Trai Byers – “Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

• Amirah Vann – “Underground” (WGN America)
• CCH Pounder – “NCIS: New Orleans” (CBS)
• Cicely Tyson – “How To Get Away with Murder” (ABC)
• Lynn Whitfield – “Greenleaf” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
• Naturi Naughton – “Power” (Starz)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

• “American Crime” (ABC)
• “Confirmation” (HBO)
• “Roots” (History)
• “The Night Of” (HBO)
• “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (FX)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

• Courtney B. Vance – “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (FX)
• Cuba Gooding Jr. – “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (FX)
• Jeffrey Wright – “Confirmation” (HBO)
• Malachi Kirby – “Roots” (History)
• Sterling K. Brown – “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (FX)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

• Anika Noni Rose – “Roots” (History)
• Audra McDonald – “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” (HBO)
• Emayatzy Corinealdi – “Roots” (History)
• Kerry Washington – “Confirmation” (HBO)
• Regina King – “American Crime” (ABC)

Outstanding Children’s Program

• “All In With Cam Newton” (Nickelodeon)
• “An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win” (Amazon)
• “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior)
• “K.C. Undercover” (Disney Channel)
• “The Lion Guard” (Disney Junior)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series)

• Emyyri Crutchfield – “Roots” (History)
• Hudson Yang – “Fresh Off The Boat” (ABC)
• Lonnie Chavis – “This Is Us” (NBC)
• Marsai Martin – “black-ish” (ABC)
• Miles Brown – “black-ish” (ABC)

MOTION PICTURE

Outstanding Motion Picture

• “Fences” (Paramount Pictures)
• “Hidden Figures” (20th Century Fox)
• “Loving” (Focus Features/Big Beach)
• “Moonlight” (A24)
• “The Birth of a Nation” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

• Denzel Washington – “Fences” (Paramount Pictures)
• Don Cheadle – “Miles Ahead” (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Nate Parker – “The Birth of a Nation” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
• Stephan James – “Race” (Focus Features/The Luminary Group A Solofilms/Trinidad/Trinity/Trinity Race Production)
• Will Smith – “Collateral Beauty” (Warner Bros. Pictures/New Line Cinema)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

• Angela Bassett – “London Has Fallen” (Focus Features/Millennium Films/G-Base Production)
• Madina Nalwanga – “Queen of Katwe” (Walt Disney Studios)
• Ruth Negga – “Loving” (Focus Features/Big Beach)
• Taraji P. Henson – “Hidden Figures” (20th Century Fox)
• Tika Sumpter – “Southside With You” (Roadside Attractions)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

• Alano Miller – “Loving” (Focus Features/Big Beach)
• Chadwick Boseman – “Captain America: Civil War” (Marvel Studios)
• David Oyelowo – “Queen of Katwe” (Walt Disney Studios)
• Mahershala Ali – “Moonlight” (A24)
• Trevante Rhodes – “Moonlight” (A24)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

• Aja Naomi King – “The Birth of a Nation” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
• Lupita Nyong’o – “Queen of Katwe” (Walt Disney Studios)
• Mo’ Nique – “Almost Christmas” (Universal Pictures)
• Octavia Spencer – “Hidden Figures” (20th Century Fox)
• Viola Davis – “Fences” (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

• “Lion” (The Weinstein Co.)
• “Loving” (Focus Features/Big Beach)
• “Miles Ahead” (Sony Pictures Classics)
• “Moonlight” (A24)
• “The Birth of a Nation” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

WRITING

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

• Donald Glover – “Atlanta” – B.A.N. (FX)
• Issa Rae, Larry Wilmore – “Insecure” – Insecure as F**k (HBO)
• Kenya Barris – “black-ish” – Hope (ABC)
• Our Lady J – “Transparent” – If I Were A Bell (Amazon)
• Prentice Penny – “Insecure” – Real as F**k (HBO)

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series

• Akela Cooper – “Marvel’s Luke Cage” – Manifest (Netflix)
• Anthony Sparks – “Queen Sugar” – By Any Chance (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
• Ava DuVernay – “Queen Sugar” – First Things First (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
• Joe Robert Cole – “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story – The Race Card” – (FX)
• LaToya Morgan – “TURN: Washington’s Spies” – Benediction (AMC)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture – (Television)

• Alison McDonald – “An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win” (Amazon)
• Alison McDonald – “Roots (Night 2)” (History)
• Charles Murray – “Roots (Night 3)” (History)
• Rashida Jones and Mike Schur – “Black Mirror: Nosedive” (Netflix)
• Rhonda Freeman-Baraka – “Merry Christmas, Baby!” (UP TV)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film)

• Adam Mansbach “Barry” (Black Bear Pictures and Cinetic Media)
• Barry Jenkins (Screenplay) and Tarell Alvin McCraney (Story by) “Moonlight” (A24)
• Jeff Nichols “Loving” (Focus Features/Big Beach)
• Nate Parker “The Birth of a Nation” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
• Richard Tanne “Southside With You” (Roadside Attractions)

DIRECTING

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

• Anton Cropper – “black-ish” – God (ABC)
• Anton Cropper – “black-ish” – Good-ish Times (ABC)
• Donald Glover – “Atlanta” – Value (FX)
• Marta Cunningham – “Transparent” – Exciting and New (Amazon)
• Melina Matsoukas – “Insecure” – Insecure as F**k” (HBO)

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series

• Anthony Hemingway – “Underground” – The Macon 7 (WGN America)
• John Singleton – “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story: The Race Card” – (FX)
• Millicent Shelton – “Empire” – The Lyon Who Cried Wolf (FOX)
• Paris Barclay – “Pitch” – Pilot (FOX)
• Sam Esmail – “Mr. Robot” – eps2.5_h4ndshake.sme (USA Network)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television)

• Carl Seaton – “Bad Dad Rehab” – (TV One)
• Mario Van Peebles – “Roots (Night 2)” – (History)
• Rick Famuyiwa – “Confirmation” – (HBO)
• Thomas Carter – “Roots (Night 3)” – (History)
• Vondie Curtis-Hall – “Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart” – (Lifetime)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture – (Film)

• Anthony Russo, Joe Russo – “Captain America: Civil War” (Marvel Studios)
• Barry Jenkins – “Moonlight” (A24)
• Garth Davis – “Lion” (The Weinstein Co.)
• Mira Nair – “Queen of Katwe” (Walt Disney Studios)
• Nate Parker – “The Birth of a Nation” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

ANIMATED/CGI

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – (Television or Film)

• Dwayne Johnson – “Moana” (Walt Disney Animation Studios)
• Idris Elba – “Finding Dory” (Pixar Animation Studios)
• Idris Elba – “The Jungle Book” (Walt Disney Studios)
• Kevin Hart – “The Secret Life of Pets” (Universal Pictures)
• Loretta Devine – “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior)

The 48th NAACP Image Awards airs February 11, 2017 at 9/8c live on TV One.

The post 48th NAACP Image Awards Nominees appeared first on Films of Color.

Fences is based on the play of the same name by August Wilson, also starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Tony Award-winning roles. It follows a Black family trying to navigate race relations in the 1950s. The film version looks to be just as good. There is already talk of Oscar buzz, and after watching the trailer, the buzz is well-deserved. Take a look at the trailer and see for yourself.

Cast:

• Denzel Washington – Troy Maxson
• Viola Davis – Rose Maxson
• Stephen McKinley Henderson – Jim Bono
• Jovan Adepo – Cory Maxson
• Russell Hornsby – Lyons Maxson
• Mykelti Williamson – Gabriel Maxson
• Saniyya Sidney – Raynell Maxson

Crew:

• Director – Denzel Washington
• Writer – August Wilson

Fences opens in theaters December 25, 2016. Get tickets here.

The post Spend Christmas Watching ‘Fences’ appeared first on Films of Color.

With Halloween out the way and Thanksgiving being an unmarketable placeholder holiday, the Christmas season is finally here. And what better way to celebrate than with a Christmas film. What better one than Almost Christmas? It has an all-star cast and is sure to keep the laughs coming.

Synopsis:

Almost Christmas tells the festive story of a beloved patriarch who asks his family for one gift this holiday season: to get along. If they can honor that wish and spend five days under the same roof without killing one another, it will be a Christmas miracle.

Cast:

• Kimberly Elise – Cheryl Meyers
• Omar Epps – Malachi
• Danny Glover – Walter
• Romany Malco – Christian
• Mo’Nique – Aunt May
• Nicole Ari Parker – Sonya
• J. B. Smoove – Lonnie
• Gabrielle Union – Rachel
• Keri Hilson – Jasmine
• Jessie Usher – Evan

Crew:

• Director/Writer – David E. Talbert
• Producer – Will Packer

Almost Christmas will be released in theaters November 11, 2016. Tickets are available here.

The post ‘Almost Christmas’ Out in Time for the Holidays appeared first on Films of Color.

Queen of Katwe has been anticipated since we learned that Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo would be teaming up. It is based on The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl’s Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster by Tim Crothers. It tells the story of Phiona Mutesi, a chess prodigy from Katwe, Uganda.

Synopsis:

Queen of Katwe is the colorful true story of a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.

For 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi and her family, life in the impoverished slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle. Her mother, Harriet, is fiercely determined to take care of her family and works tirelessly selling vegetables in the market to make sure her children are fed and have a roof over their heads. When Phiona meets Robert Katende, a soccer player turned missionary who teaches local children chess, she is captivated. Chess requires a good deal of concentration, strategic thinking and risk taking, all skills which are applicable in everyday life, and Katende hopes to empower youth with the game. Phiona is impressed by the intelligence and wit the game requires and immediately shows potential. Recognizing Phiona’s natural aptitude for chess and the fighting spirit she’s inherited from her mother, Katende begins to mentor her, but Harriet is reluctant to provide any encouragement, not wanting to see her daughter disappointed. As Phiona begins to succeed in local chess competitions, Katende teaches her to read and write in order to pursue schooling. She quickly advances through the ranks in tournaments, but breaks away from her family to focus on her own life. Her mother eventually realizes that Phiona has a chance to excel and teams up with Katende to help her fulfill her extraordinary potential, escape a life of poverty and save her family.

Cast:

• Madina Nalwanga – Phiona Mutesi
• David Oyelowo – Robert Katende
• Lupita Nyong’o – Nakku Harriet
• Martin Kabanza – Mugabi Brian
• Taryn Kyaze – Night
• Ivan Jacobo – Young Richard

Queen of Katwe is out in theaters. Tickets are available here.

The post ‘Queen of Katwe’ Is in Theaters appeared first on Films of Color.

Everyone loves a good love story, and one of the most famous ones of all time is that of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. You may be familiar with the story of their first date, but now you can see it imagined on the big screen with Southside with You. Take a look at the trailer and get ready to take an intimate look at that historic moment.

Synopsis:

Inspired by Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date, Southside With You recounts the eventful summer day in 1989 when a charming young law associate named Barack Obama tries to woo reluctant attorney Michelle Robinson during a daylong date that takes them from the Art Institute of Chicago to a screening of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing to a sweet first kiss outside of a Baskin-Robbins ice-cream parlor.

Cast:

• Parker Sawyers – Barack Obama
• Tika Sumpter – Michelle Robinson
• Vanessa Bell Calloway – Marian Robinson
• Phillip Edward Van Lear – Fraser C. Robinson
• Taylar Fondren – Janice

Southside with You will be released in theaters August 26, 2016. Tickets are available here.

The post ‘Southside with You’ Official Trailer appeared first on Films of Color.

Moonlight explores the three stages of life for a young Black man (childhood, adolescence, and adulthood) in Miami as he wrestles with his sexuality. While dealing with the harsh experiences of life, he finds love and a better understanding of himself. The film is based on In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney.

Cast:

• Trevante Rhodes – Chiron
• André Holland – Kevin
• Ashton Sanders – Teen Chiron
• Jharrel Jerome – Teen Kevin
• Mahershala Ali – Juan
• Janelle Monáe
• Naomie Harris

Crew:

• Director/Writer – Barry Jenkins

Moonlight premieres in theaters October 21, 2016.

The post ‘Moonlight’ Official Trailer appeared first on Films of Color.