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The Download: Making Holiday Movie Magic

OnWednesday, December 13th at 7:00 PM ET, join us for the last edition of The Downloadfor 2023!

We’ve invited a few incredible guests – from actors to directors to costume designers – to take a seat at the virtual table to discuss the making of holiday movie magic!

Meet Our Moderator

Okema T. Moore – Actress, Producer, Director

“So Fly Christmas” BET+ – Actress (2023) Okema T. Moore is an Emmy Nominated, PGA producer and rising director. She has created content for Lifetime, Netflix, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, FOX, and Disney/Marvel. Some of that content includes Kenya Barris’ Klutch Academy, for BET, Beat Bobby Flay and The Kitchen on Food Network, Oprah’s Color of Care, Founding In Color Season 2 on Peacock and Nomad with Carlton McCoy on CNN. She has been a semi-finalist for The Blackhouse Producer’s Lab and Sundance’s Producer’s Track 2022 and in 2023 became a fellow for the Stowe Story Producer’s Lab and the Black Magic Collective Producer’s Lab. Most recently, she developed and produced a new docu series for STARZ, premiering in 2024, directed a host of fall campaigns for ULTA Beauty and as an actor can be seen on Season 2 of both Amazon Prime’s Harlem, and allblk’s Makeup x Breakup, as well as the upcoming BET holiday film, So Fly Christmas starring Tichina Arnold and Tammy Roman. Okema serves on the board of NY Women in Film & TV and the Black TV & Film Collective and is a member of the NY Television Academy NY, SAG-AFTRA and AEA. She is committed to continuing to lift while she climbs, building up womxn, queer, Indigenous, POC and Black creatives, as she simultaneously strives continued success in her own creative career.

Meet Our Panelists

Terri J. Vaughn – Actress, Director, Producer

“So Fly Christmas” – Director (2023) Terri J. Vaughn first stole America’s heart as the lovable Lovita Alizay Jenkins on The Steve Harvey Show. She continued to star in projects for Will Smith, Tyler Perry, Ava DuVernay, OWN, HBO and more. She touts three NAACP Image Awards and scores of accolades for her work as an actress. However, in 2015 Terri’s directorial debut, which she also produced, was the indie comedy #DigitaLivesMatter, now on Tubi and Amazon. Notable names under her direction include John Amos, Kim Fields, Janet Hubert and Victoria Rowell, in projects for TVOne, MarVista, Asylum, Viacom and Reuben Cannon Entertainment. Terri directed the first comedic episode of BET’s TALES in the show’s final season and a host of other TV shows including BET’s Kingdom Business She also ushered in the Mahogany division of Hallmark films in 2022, directing Girlfriend’s Getaway. Most recently she directed the holiday romantic comedy So Fly Christmas, now streaming on BET+.Her company Nina Holiday Entertainment was featured in Ebony Magazine as one of Atlanta’s top production companies and she continues to uplift and motivate women in front of and behind the camera. Terri is represented by Buchwald Agency and Kronicle Media.

Lenore Adediran – Writer, Producer, Actress

OWN’s “A Christmas Serenade” – Writer (2023) Lenore Adediran is an African—American writer that specializes in sports dramas, romantic comedies and holiday “feel-good” stories. She attended Sewanee: The University of the South and earned a B.A. in Spanish Literature and screenwriting at The New School and got her start creating the 3 time Daytime Emmy pre-nominated web series STEPFORD SIDECHIX. Her pilot, SPIKES, sold to Netflix with Marsai Martin’s production company, Genius, producing. Her features A CHRISTMAS SERENADE sold to Mar Vista Entertainment/Harpo Films, premiering Dec 2nd on OWN, and her romantic comedy 3RD TIME’S A CHARM to Crowne Media Group.

Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd – CSA Casting Director, Executive Producer, Director

Kirk Franklin’s “A Gospel Christmas” – EP and Casting Director (2022) Tracy Twinkie Byrd is a 30+year entertainment industry veteran. Known for casting films such as Stomp the Yard, Notorious, Fruitvale Station, Sparkle, The Clark Sisters, and BEATS on Netflix. Now Twinkie is making her PIVOT to Directing & Producing. She is the Executive Producer of Kirk Franklins “A Gospel Christmas” and “The Night Before Christmas.” Twinkie is the Director of Award Winning Short Films The Counter:1960, NARC and IG Series NOT S.W.A.T. She is also the Exec Producer of USC feature Film Voodoo Macbeth. Voodoo Macbeth, the story of the 1936 Federal Theater Production and the All-Black Cast of Macbeth. The story centers around distinguished actress Rose McClendon mounting Shakespeare’s Macbeth while employing a young Orson Wells to Direct. Tracy Twinkie Byrds’ second act is one to watch.

Provi Fulp – Emmy Nominated Costume Designer

Dolly Parton “Magic Mountain Christmas” – Costume Designer (2023) Provi Fulp is a costume designer based in Atlanta who is also bi-coastal. Her passion is storytelling through costume design “It’s in the details of design that speak to the audience.” She specializes in contemporary as well as period design. She draws her inspiration from growing up as a “military brat” , born in Frankfurt Germany and attending German school, she had the opportunity to live in several different countries which exposed her to a melting pot of different cultures from around the world. She has 12 plus years of experience in TV and Film and 20 years total in the fashion industry. She is a proud member of the Diversity Committee of her Costume Designers Guild 892. You can find a variety of range in Provi’s costume design; from Dolly Parton’s Emmy Award winning “Christmas on The Square ” on Netflix to the CW’s DC Comics Black Lightning. You will find that she is published for her costume design work in vogue, la times, popsugar, refinery 29 and deadline.

Leland B. Martin – Actor, Producer

“Taken Before Christmas” BET+ – Actor (2023) Leland Martin was born and raised in New Jersey. He came from humble beginnings, and didn’t even realize a career in the arts was possible until the ripe age of 24. Since then Leland has starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials. His latest film Sworn Justice: Taken Before Christmas is currently airing on BET Plus where he stars alongside Emmy Winner Mishael Morgan and mega star Vivica A. Fox. Leland is a walking testimony that it’s never too late for God to do the impossible in your life.

Pierre Romain – Executive ProducerSo Fly Christmas BET+ – EP

Pierre Romain has produced Award-winning Documentaries and feature Films including: Mind The Gap (Alan King, Elizabeth Reaser, Kim Raver, and Eric Schaffer), Coleman Family Legacy (Jazz Legend George Coleman, Sr. and his family), Fractured (Eric Roberts and Jake Busey), All You Can Eat (Randy Quaid, Ashley Johnson, Kathy Najimy), The Pack (Lucie Arnaz, Carlos Leon, Elisabeth Moss) Bayou Caviar (Cuba Gooding Jr, Richard Dreyfuss, Fake Jansen), Son of The South(Spike Lee (ep), Barry Brown (dir.), Lucas Till, Lucy Hale, Cedric The Entertainer and Brian Dennehy), North of The 10 (George Lopez, Terrence Jenkins, Mykelti Williamson, Jaleel White, and LaRoyce Hawkins), Fresh kills-Official Selection Tribeca Film Festival (Jennifer Esposito (dir) Emily Bader, O’dessa A’Zion,Domenick Ombardozzi). His latest film “So Fly Christmas” can be seen on BET Plus starring Tichina Arnold, Tami Roman, Laurissa Romain, Robert Christopher Riley, Jackee Harry, Tommy Davidson and Michael Colyar. So Fly Christmas was directed by the legendary Terri Vaughn. “One Night Stay”, a thriller starring Stephen Bishop, LeToya Luckett, Iyana Halley, Laurissa Romain, Robert Christopher Riley, Mc Lyte and Essence Atkins will premiere in January.

If you have dreams of making movie magic, you do not want to miss this event!

Join us at this year’s edition of The Download Holiday Panel and get the information and inspiration you need to #MakeYourWork! RSVP today!

Interested in becoming a member? Join BTFC HERE and become a MAKER today! Get access to exclusive programming like the Download and more!

This event will be recorded, but access is for paid members only.

What is THE DOWNLOAD EVENT SERIES.

Offered multiple times a year, The Download is a virtual guest conversation series hosted by the Black TV & Film Collective. It features impactful writers, producers and other creators who provide insider knowledge to help Black creatives do their work. Recent guests on The Download have included Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Charlene Polite Corley, Latasha Mercer, the editing team of A Black Lady Sketch Show Janine Sherman Barrois, Pete Chatmon and more.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

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The Download ft. BTFC x Netflix ‘Created By’ Fellow Latasha Mercer

Join us for this exclusive virtual conversation! 

On Wednesday, March 8th at 7:30 PM ET, join us at the virtual table for The Download with Latasha Mercer, BTFC x Netflix ‘Created By’ Fellow and Screenwriter!

 

We’re discussing Latasha’s journey as a storyteller – from starting out in independent entertainment and creating her own work, navigating challenges and experiencing growth as a creative , to her latest opportunity – receiving a script development deal from Netflix.

Join us and get the information and inspiration you need to #MakeYourWork!

Meet Latasha Mercer

Latasha Mercer is a screenwriter who began by producing digital content since 2010. Her first was the celebrity and indie interview platform, Dope Files, predating her position as the Writer & Producer of two seasons of the comedy web series Sit Black & Relax. She is currently starring in the third series she wrote and produced, JustLatasha’s Inner Actions.

Her popular Dissection series on YouTube expanded her film notoriety, grabbing digital nods from Lena Waithe and Katori Hall. Latasha was also a staple panelist on The Grapevine TV, and has been featured on Entertainment Tonight Canada, AFROPUNK, Dark & Lovely, Teen Vogue, and more.

Her writing has been top rated and awarded, as well as placed on Coverfly’s The Red List. She was the 2022 Roadmap Writer’s Diversity Recipient, 2022 OTV Writing Fellow, and is signed to Damn Write Originals. Credits include Revolt TV, Keke Palmer’s KeyTV Network, and a script development deal with Netflix.

The Download

Offered multiple times a year, The Download is a special virtual guest conversation series hosted by the Black TV & Film Collective. It features impactful filmmakers who provide insider knowledge to help Black creatives do their work. Recent guests on The Download have included Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Charlene Polite Corley, the editing team of A Black Lady Sketch Show, Janine Sherman Barrois and Pete Chatmon. 

#MakeYourWork

Join us at this edition of The Download and get the information and inspiration you need to #MakeYourWork! RSVP today!

Members, use your code to access your discount!

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

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The Black TV & Film Collective and Black Girls Film Camp present Rising Stars

Join the BTFC & Black Girls Film Camp for a virtual film screening and panel discussion featuring the next generation of Black female filmmakers!

 

Rising Stars is shining a light on the next generation of filmmakers who are starting their journey!

Thurs. April 6th at 6:00 PM ET, Black TV & Film Collective and Black Girls Film Camp are combining forces to hosting a virtual film screening featuring films written and directed by Black teen filmmakers with a passion for seeing their stories told their way!

With heartfelt films that range from comedy to drama to documentary, the Black Girls Film Camp Teen Directors share messages of self-acceptance, advocacy, intersectionality, beauty and more!

Join us as we screen the films and welcome the BGFC Teen Directors to the virtual table to discuss their film and their future as filmmakers!

About Black Girls Film Camp

Black Girls Film Camp is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides a FREE, national, and virtual 12-week experience (held once a year) where high school Black girls across the country pitch a story idea, and a final ten are selected to have their short film project produced by the program. Over 200 Black girls across the country applied for the 2022 camp and 10 finalists were selected to direct and develop their own short films. The camp is an incubator for the 10 girls and each of their films.

Participants receive free technology (iPads, ring lights, wireless mics, tripods, etc.) free software (Final Draft and Adobe Premiere), a personal production team of exemplary Black women creatives (editor and creative coach) contracted out by the camp, an all-expense paid weekend retreat in LA, and free workshops from Black women that are award-winning filmmakers and Ph.D. scholars. Films created by the teen girls and their production teams are showcased live during a virtual event over the summer and at film festivals (i.e. 2021 Mill Valley Film Festival) and college events (i.e. Emory University, USC, UNCC, etc.) in the US throughout the year. Following the 12-week camp, alumni participate in international outreach events throughout the year to share their stories with the world and support other aspiring young Black girl filmmakers.

Another allure to the camp has been the amazing award-winning filmmakers that are featured speakers over the 12-week period. This year’s speaker lineup for the 12-week camp includes BET award-winning Media Executive, Connie Orlando, award-winning Writer and Director Gina Prince-Bythewood, Franchise Manager and Media Professional Monique Mitchell, Manager of Pre-School Animation, Hannah Cope, Head of Studio for Black Women Animate, Fatimah Abdullah, award-winning filmmaker and Casting Director, Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, Senior VP of Talent Relations & Casting at Revolt, Donyell Kennedy-McCullough, and more! Some of the partners for this year’s 2023 camp include the University of Southern California, Beats By Dre, Final Draft, Tik Tok, PBS, and Women In Film LA.

#MakeYourWork

Join us and support the next generation of Black filmmakers!

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

This event will NOT be recorded.

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The Download with Rachel Watanabe-Batton

Join us for this exclusive virtual conversation! 

On Thursday, February 16th at 7:30 PM ET, join us at the virtual table for The Download with Emmy award-winning producer Rachel Watanabe-Batton to discuss producing for film and television.

Meet Rachel Watanabe-Batton

Rachel Watanabe-Batton is a film and television producer and founder of Contradiction and Struggle, which tells stories that reframe history and culture, and connects cinema, causes and capital. Watanabe-Batton executive produced the musical “Sneakerella” for Disney Plus starring Chosen Jacobs, Lexi Underwood and John Salley, released May 2022. Rachel recently won an Emmy for her work on “Sneakerella”, which was nominated an outstanding 11 times.

She produced the film installation “Out/Side of Time” by artist Jenn Nkiru for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s new Afrofuturist Period Room Before Yesterday We Could Fly; and was Consulting Producer on EPIX docu-series “By Whatever Means Necessary” by Director-Exec Producer, Keith McQuirter, which received the 2021 NAACP Award for Outstanding Directing in a Documentary.

Watanabe-Batton’s producing credits include non-fiction series “I Pity the Fool” with Mr. T (TV Land/ Lionsgate), barbershop documentary “Cutting Edge” (Cinemax/HBO), and sports docu-series “Insider Training” (Discovery). She has produced narrative films with numerous auteur directors including features “Ripe” (Mo Ogrodnik), “Book of Love” (Jeff Byrd), and shorts “The Killers” (Tanya Hamilton) and “Bajo del Perro” (Polish Brothers). Her directing-producing credits reflect her wide range of interests, like documentary “Crisis in the Crib: Saving Our Nation’s Babies” linking infant mortality to racism featuring Exec Producer and campaign spokeswoman for The Office of Minority Health, Tonya Lewis-Lee; and “Blueprint” lifestyle makeover series for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Her debut narrative film “Once You’re In,” co-directed with classmate Lauren Greenfield, starring undocumented Irish immigrants in Boston, aired on WGBH while she was an undergraduate at Harvard-Radcliffe and features Poet Laureate of Ireland Seamus Heaney.

Watanabe-Batton’s fluency in socio-historical storytelling is rooted in a lifetime of crossing class, race, gender, urban and rural lines, and is strengthened by years of collaborations with musical and visual artists. Her first jobs in film were as a temp development assistant at Danny Glover’s Carrie Productions and story researcher for Quincy Jones Entertainment. Her breakthrough job was working in creative development for veteran producers Paula Weinstein, Mark Rosenberg, Peter Heller and Julie Bergman at Spring Creek Productions on the Warner Bros lot. While there, she organized demonstrations from the studio lot during the L.A. Rebellion. She then assisted acclaimed Australian film director Peter Weir on “Fearless” starring Jeff Bridges and worked at the groundbreaking Propaganda Films on iconic commercial campaigns, music videos and sci-fi series “Thunderbirds Are Go.” During the heyday of music videos in the late 1990’s, Watanabe-Batton co-founded NY-based production company Department of Film with director Nick Quested at Goldcrest Post. She has produced content for leading recording artists including Diddy, DMX, Faith Evans, Fat Joe, Lil Jon, Nas, Trick Daddy, Usher, Wu-Tang Clan, and many others. Watanabe-Batton has also directed top ten videos in the U.S. (“Play No Games”) and Africa (“Incomplete”) and helmed international productions.

The Download

Offered multiple times a year, The Download is a special virtual guest conversation series hosted by the Black TV & Film Collective. It features impactful filmmakers who provide insider knowledge to help Black creatives do their work. Recent guests on The Download have included Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Charlene Polite Corley, the editing team of A Black Lady Sketch Show, Janine Sherman Barrois and Pete Chatmon. 

#MakeYourWork

Join us at this edition of The Download and get the information and inspiration you need to #MakeYourWork! RSVP today!

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

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The Download: Producing for the Family with Fred Rogers Productions

Join us for this exclusive conversation featuring Black producers who are making an impact on children’s programming behind the lens!

On Thursday, February 9th at 7:30 PM ET, join us for the first edition of The Download for 2023!

We’re sitting at the virtual table with Chris Loggins, Olubunmi Mia Olufemi, and Kenney Randall from Fred Rogers Productions and discussing how they got their start, what they currently do and how they got there, how they are preparing for the next stage of their careers, and the range of opportunities in the children’s entertainment business.

Meet Our Panelists

Chris Loggins

Chris Loggins is Supervising Producer for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, overseeing all aspects of television production, working closely with partners on everything from scripting through final episode delivery and beyond, and directing live-action segments for the series. An Emmy® Award-winning producer, Chris also serves as production manager for Peg + Cat and Odd Squad, which both air on PBS KIDS. Before joining Fred Rogers Productions, he served as the development coordinator at WQED, the PBS station in Pittsburgh. Chris has previous experience working with children in his roles as host of “Baby and Me Storytime” at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and driving the Storymobile for Beginning with Books Center for Early Literacy. He holds a B.A. in American Studies with a focus on African-American History from Kenyon College.

Olubunmi Mia Olufemi

Olubunmi Mia Olufemi is Supervising Producer of Alma’s Way, the new PBS KIDS series created by Sonia Manzano and produced by Fred Rogers Productions. Mia is responsible for overseeing all phases of production, serving as the company’s liaison with the animation studio and broadcaster. Additionally, she coordinates the creation of series assets for marketing and licensing efforts, among other duties. Mia started her career in children’s television at WGBH (now known as GBH) Educational Foundation, where she worked on acclaimed children’s properties including Arthur, Curious George, Martha Speaks, and Design Squad Global.

Most recently, she was the producer of Molly of Denali, the Peabody Award-winning PBS KIDS show. Her work is devoted to building inclusive productions, on screen and behind the scenes, that authentically celebrate and highlight under-represented populations, particularly minorities and immigrant cultures. For Alma’s Way, she has worked to create spaces to uplift new voices in children’s media. Mia received her M.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College.

Kennedy Randall

As Production Assistant at Fred Rogers Productions, Kennedy Randall provides support on series including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. She has previously worked as a freelance video editor, production assistant, designer, and editor. Kennedy has also served as an assistant to rapper, activist, and entrepreneur Kellee Maize for whom she has completed research, website editing, social media design, and much more.

With a background in digital media production and television as well as childcare, she has become interested in understanding the ways in which children consume media, and in turn, how that content can aid in their development. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry and is at work on two novels. Kennedy holds a B.A. in Communications from Slippery Rock University.

The Download

Offered multiple times a year, The Download is a special virtual guest conversation series hosted by the Black TV & Film Collective. It features impactful filmmakers who provide insider knowledge to help Black creatives do their work. Recent guests on The Download have included Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Charlene Polite Corley, the editing team of A Black Lady Sketch Show, Janine Sherman Barrois and Pete Chatmon. 

#MakeYourWork

Join us at this edition of The Download and get the information and inspiration you need to #MakeYourWork! RSVP today!

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

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Office Hours: Get Help On Your Project

Producers, this one’s for YOU! Need some extra support to help you #MakeYourWork? Let ‘s go!

On Thursday, January 26th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM ET, chat with BTFC Co-Founder and award-winning producer and director Huriyyah Muhammad during BTFC Office Hours! She’ll do her best to support you and help you move your project forward!

During BTFC Office Hours we’ll answer general production questions and provide an environment where you can get advice and feedback on your projects from industry professionals.

How can we better describe them? It’s an open door for any member who would like to just come in and ask a question. Get a second pair of eyes on a rough cut, get some help on budgets, have your script reviewed…

Remember back in the day when our professors had office hours and you would just go in to ask a question or get some help? That is what these office hours are like.

Join us to talk about your project and ideas, so that you’re better equipped to move them forward. It’s all-time well spent.

Meet Huriyyah Muhammad

Huriyyah is an award-winning writer, director and producer whose projects have been invited to the Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Institute, AFI, Austin Film Festival, New Voices in Black Cinema, American Black Film Festival and many others.

She is recipient of the 2020 Sundance Institute’s Producers Award for Farewell Amor, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, and the 2021 SFFILM Rainin Grant for Screenwriting and 2021 Black List Feature Residency for her feature screenplay, God Help the Gayes, will mark her narrative feature directorial debut. The film is slated for production in Fall 2023.

NOTE: 40-minute slots will be assigned on a first RSVP basis. A Zoom link and information form will be sent to you 48 hours before your session. Please block out 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET on your calendar until your slot is received.

 

Members, use your code to RSVP for this event!

Need help? Email [email protected]

This event is exclusive to BTFC MEMBERS ONLY.

Interested in becoming a member? Visit www.blacktvfilmcollective.org/join