AS OUR NATION celebrates Black History Month, Flickeria wants to acknowledge the pioneers of African American Cinema. 'Pioneers of African-American Cinema' is a Kickstarter funded project curated by Charles Musser and Jacqueline Stewart, executive produced by Paul D. Miller (aka DJ Spooky), and produced by Bret Wood for Kino Lorber.

From the 1920s and into the 1940s, there is yet another unsung chapter of African American history and American cinema history, known as the “race film.” Race films were funded, written, produced, directed, distributed, and often exhibited by people of color throughout the nation in convention theaters as well as churches, halls, fields, and anyplace these cinema innovators could pitch a screen and attract an audience.

While previously circulated in poor quality 16mm prints, these newly restored versions (The Blood of Jesus, Birthright, Within Our Gates, Dirty Gertie from Harlem, U.S.A.) allow audiences to witness the legacies and brilliance of filmmakers Oscar Micheaux, Spencer Williams, and other African American cineastes with an engaged eye and fresh perspective onto the process and this important legacy to Hollywood, the nation, the African American community, and indeed, the world.

PIONEERS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CINEMA series is now unspooling at Film Forum.

The 2016 Oscar Nominations Are. . . .

THE 2016 OSCAR NOMINATIONS have been announced. The current members of the Academy has brought forth a listing the is pretty much the same and reflective as the very first list of cinema professionals from the year 1929.

Greenlight is a blog dedicated to presenting opportunities to the diversification of filmmakers and cinema. Greenlight shares information on fellowships, grants, and filmmaker residencies to showcase a broad range of films with a wide range of genre and storytelling.

When filmmakers of all classification can greenlight their own productions and share engaging stories, innovative camera operation, dynamic cinematography and a wide range of cast and crew members who bring their vision into fruition, only then will the academy evolve to an Oscar list of nominations that captures the essence and culture of the American landscape rather the economic and marketing strategies of Hollywood.

When that Oscar nomination list appears, Greenlight will gladly provide you with a link. Until then. . . . .STAY TUNED.

GET BLACK LISTED

BUBBLES, a screenplay about Michael Jackson's life with his infamous chimpanzee, Bubbles, 
tops the 2015 The Black List.

TBL recognizes the year’s most liked unproduced screenplays as voted on by film executives. Coming in first place with 44 votes is Isaac Adamson’s script (Bubbles), which follows Michael Jackson’s life through the eyes and via the voice of his adopted chimpanzee and friend, Bubbles. The agency is CAA, agent is Joe Mann and management is Lee Stobby Entertainment.

Founded by Franklin Leonard, and now in its 11th year as a full-on moneymaking operation. The Black List originally started out as a film industry development executive survey and has grown into a boutique list to serve and integrate innovative, imagination and independent screenplay writers/filmmakers seeking to penetrate the glass perimeter of Hollywood top agents, managers and executives who posses the power to greenlight a production with access to marquee talent, studio backing, financing, film festival positioning, onto the big screen and placed on award ballots. This year's list had 250 screenplays, with 81 scripts making the final 2015 list.

Since its beginning, over 225 Black List screenplays have been made into feature films earning nearly $20billion at the worldwide box office, 171 Academy Awards nominations and have won 35, including Best Pictures for Slumdog Millionaire, The King's Speech, and Argo, and seven (7) of the last twelve (12) screenwriting Oscars.  GET ON THE BLACK LIST.

SONY PICTURES needs you.  In the ever demanding world, expansion of digital technology and cultural relativism, the Hollywood suits who have never spent a moment of their lives not looking at their reflection on television, greeting cards, in Pre-Raphaelite art, movies. museums, galleries, magazines, global advertisements, cured in stained glass -- and of course the Executive Offices of every single organization across the entire USA, where the privilege of maintaining 400 years of self imaging is coming to a crescendo within the fluidity and access of the World Wide Web.

With that knowledge and reality, Sony Pictures will pay you and provide you with an opportunity for them to save themselves under the guise of business appropriation in the form of fellow.  If you aspire to be a creative executive in the pale arena of Hollywood, Sony Pictures is offering a paid fellowship for one (1) year in their Development & Production Departments where you can provide them with something they do not have: access, talent, and knowledge to all things out-of-their-boxes.

For sure, this is an opportunity, a foot in the door; however, Sony Pictures' Human Resources Department and Talent Recruitment Office have the resources to recruit and hire viable candidates for careers beyond a one (1) year commitment.  So read and take note of the not so fine print: "Strong consideration will be given to candidates from communities traditionally underrepresented in film and television."

Willing candidates may take advantage of Sony Pictures here.

GOT THE GREENLIGHT.  Hollywood sources are saying “Straight Outta Compton” director, F. Gary Gray, is a near lock-in to helm "Fast and Furious 8,” the latest installment in the bankable action thriller franchise.

Via social media, Vin Diesel, the star and producer of “Furious” posted a photo of himself with Gray hinting that the director was set to take the reins of Universal’s nearly unstoppable global motion-picture series.  If truly given greenlight, Gray, will take over from James Wan, who directed “Furious 7.” Other "F&F" franchise directors are Justin Lin, who helmed installments three through six.  The first film 2001’s “The Fast and the Furious,” was directed by Rob Cohen, while John Singleton directed its first sequel, “2 Fast, 2 Furious.”

The Hollywood rumor mill has also churned out, "FF8" will also feature Paul Walker's brother Cody as Jack O'Conner.  Production is set to begin in spring of 2016 with pre-production to start next in November.  The release date is set for April 2017.

BE BRAVE, BOLD and you will change our world. The Brave New Fellows Program is seeking passionate, driven, and creative people who use visual storytelling to re-image, reconstruct and advance our world.

The Brave New Fellows Program envisions a world where visual storytellers from all backgrounds have a voice and a place to create impactful media. BNFP needs you. Reports, statistics, think tanks, demographics and Hollywood movie release after movie release continue to display the dearth disparities and complete lack of opportunities for cross-cultural innovation, imaginative ideas, fresh storytelling and originality.

Part of BNFP's mission is to break down the systemic barriers that limit opportunities for people of color and people from marginalized communities by empowering fellows with tools and training to become stronger activists and versatile advocates for social justice all while making film, networking and developing your voice.

As a fellow, you will champion social justice, inspire media, empower themselves, motivate corporation, engage community and truly make a difference through civic participation. If this sounds like you, learn more at: bravenewfilms.org.

Hues Pay-Off

Hollywood has been given a black eye as "Straight Outta Compton' collects over $110 million at the boxoffice in less than two weeks becoming the unsung hero of summer 2015.

The making of and getting 'Straight Outta Compton' into cinemaplexes around the United States is reminiscent of 1976.  Last week, TVOne's brilliant docu-series 'Usung Hollywood' presented the back story on the groundbreaking film 'Car Wash.'  Today 'Car Wash' is a cult classic film throughout the American landscape; however, as the story goes, Hollywood suits at the time, 1976, claimed not know how to market the film, unfold the story, cast the actors, edit the final film or deal with the movie. "It's a black film!, Hollywood players declared.

At Cannes, the Jury wanted to award 'Car Wash' its highest honor, the Palme d'Or; however, the two American jurors strictly forbid this.  In retaliation and fully recognizing its importance and true value, the other jurors created two special awards for 'Car Wash' recognizing its importance to international cinema, when the Americans were reluctantly to see the bigger picture and the future of global filmmaking.

It is unfortunate Hollywoodteurs continue do not want to understand, see, proper and create a rich legacy from inclusive cinema.  Like 'Car Wash,' through 'Straight Outta Compton' Hollywood has another opportunity to change, update, and modernize the rules of its way too exclusive game.