LIST: Highlighting 10 note worthy black filmmakers
Now that the 2020 movie awards season has ended amid continued accusation of white Hollywood including #OscarSoWhite, Black History Month is a time to honor some of the significant black filmmakers throughout history.
Kathleen Collins
Born March 18, 1942, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Kathleen Collins is a black poet, playwright, writer, filmmaker, director, civil rights activist and educator. Her first film was titled “The Cruz Brothers and Miss Malloy” (1980). Collins went to Skidmore College, where she earned a degree in B.A. in philosophy and religion. She later went on to earn an M.A. in French literature and cinema. Collins wrote many plays and screenplays, but the two she is most known for are “In the Midnight Hour” (1981) and “The Brothers” (1982).
“A groundbreaking filmmaker finally gets her time to shine” video courtesy of PBS News Hour
Ava DuVernay
Born in Long Beach, California, on Aug. 24, 1972, Ava DuVernay showed an early interest in journalism then moved her interests into public relations. She started her journey into film in 2005 by making her first short film titled “Saturday Night Life.” The film was based on her mother’s life, and it was broadcasted in February 2007 as a part of Showtime’s Black Filmmaker showcase. Later she got into making documentary films. Some of her big-screen movies included “Summer,” “13th,” and a “Wrinkle in Time” (2018). DuVernay is also the first black woman to get a $100 million movie deal.
“You Know It’s Ava DuVernay IF…” video courtesy of The Take
Spike Lee
Born Sheldon Jackson Lee in Brooklyn, New York, March 20, 1957, Spike Lee is a well-known, filmmaker, director and producer. He founded his own production called “40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks,” which has produced 35 films since 1983. The first film Lee directed was called “She’s Gotta Have It.” He has since gone on to write and direct films such as: “Do the right thing” (1989), “Malcolm X” (1992), “25th Hour” (2002), and “BlacKkKlansman” (2018), which have gone to win numerous awards.
“You Know It’s Spike Lee IF…” video courtesy of The Take
Kasi Lemmons
Born Feb. 24, 1961, in St. Louis Missouri, Kasi Lemmons is an African American director and filmmaker. Starting her career off in acting in the 1979 film “11th Victim,” she also performed in theater and ultimately went off to UCLA to get a degree in History. However, she left UCLA to attend The New School for Social Research to focus on film. Her first directorial debut was in the film “Eve’s Bayou” (1997). She would later go on to direct and create other films, like the acclaimed biopic “Harriett” (2019) based on the abolitionist, Harriett Tubman.
“Kasi Lemmons Was ‘In Conversation’ With Harriet Tubman While Writing & Filming | Close Up” video courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter
Jessie Maple
Born in 1947 in Louisiana, Jessie Maples is a filmmaker most known for her work for the civil rights of African Americans and women. She became the first African American woman accepted to the New York camera operator’s union and later wrote a memoir about her experience. In 1981, she made the independent feature “Will” – a drama about a girls basketball coach addicted to heroin. She is known as the first African American woman to direct an independent featured film post-civil rights era.
TWN Evening Seminars: The Legendary Jessie Maple video courtesy of Third World Newsreel
Oscar Micheaux
Born Jan. 2, 1884, Metropolis, Illinois, Oscar Micheaux was known as the biggest African American filmmaker of the 20th century. Starting his career off as an author, Micheaux later dabbled into film. Micheaux later founded his own production company Micheaux Film & Book Company of Sioux City in Chicago. He hired actors and actresses to perform his work, but later had to stop filmmaking during the Great Depression and he returned to writing.
“The Story of Oscar Micheaux (First African American Film Director)” video courtesy of The DarkWarrior Perspective
Jordan Peele
Born Feb. 21, 1979, in New York City, New York, director, producer and filmmaker Jordan Peele is known for his comedy skits and horror films. Peele started his career off doing comedy in Amsterdam where performed on “Boom Chicago.” He would later do more comedy on MadTV. In 2017, his filmmaking began when Peele wrote, directed and produced his first horror film “Get Out” (2017). A year later his second horror movie blockbuster “US” came out, making Peele a well-known filmmaker.
“Get Out – Script to Screen” video courtesy of University of California Television
Tyler Perry
Born Emmitt Perry Jr. on Sept. 13, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tyler Perry is one of the most well-known filmmakers and directors in the 21st century. He started off his career in the early ‘90s by doing a low budget play titled “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, he spent his life savings to produce. He is known for playing the character Madea, which appears in a variety of Perry’s movies. Perry is one of a few African Americans to open his own studio.
“Director’s Cut – Tyler Perry” video courtesy of Reboot Entertainment
Peter Ramsey
Born Dec. 23, 1962, in Crenshaw, California, Peter Ramsey is best known for directing a film for DreamWorks film. He started his career off painting murals in Hollywood. He would later become a storyboard artist for films such as “Predator 2,” “Backdraft,” “Independence Day,” and “Fight Club.” On of the producers Ramsey worked with early in his career suggested he join the Dreamworks animation team. He joined the team as a story artist before directing films for DreamWorks.
“Imaginary Friends: Spider-Man Into the Spider-verse director Peter Ramsey on Animated Storytelling” video courtesy of ArtCenter College of Design
John Singleton
Born Jan. 6, 1968, in Los Angles, California, filmmaker John Daniel Singleton is best known for his film “Boyz n the Hood” (1991). At 24 years-old, Singleton became the youngest African American ever nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Director and remains the youngest person ever nominated for the award. Singleton was also sighted to be the director for the Michael Jackson music video, “Remember the Time.”
“John Singleton on his directing style” video courtesy of Foundation Interviews
