Moving Tribute to Pioneer Producers Bill Miles and Bill Greaves

Nearly 300 people paid a heart-filled tribute to Bill Miles & Bill Greaves as two pioneers in Black Independent Film at the Schomburg Center on Feb. 27. A rich panel featuring Stanley Nelson, Mable Haddock, Woddie King, Warrington Hudlin, Nina Rosenblum and moderator Michelle Materre treated the audience to moving testimonies on the legacy and profound impact of these two greats. For those of you who missed this wonderful event you can listen to the entire conversation here.

Stanley’s Corner

“One of the things that the Panthers did was they changed so much about the way black people see themselves - the way we look, the way we act. Hip Hop and that whole Hip Hop attitude wouldn't have come about if it wasn't for the Black Panthers.”

For those of you anxiously awaiting the upcoming The Black Panthers: Seize the Time there is good news. Firelight’s Community Action Division is rolling out a new transmedia project called Black Power Revisited: Inherit the Revolutionthat will bring the history of the Panthers and the Black Power era to life. Over the next few months we will share interviews and essays from Talib Kweli, Prof. Marc Lamont Hill, Mumia Abu Jamal, dream hampton, Michaela Angela Davis, Assata Shakur and others who will share their thoughts on the legacy of the Black Power era.

Click here to learn more and join the conversation!

Celebrating Black Independent Film Pioneers: Bill Greaves & Bill Miles

Please join us as we explore the work, legacy, and lives of Bill Miles and Bill Greaves on Feb 27th, 6:30 pm.

Before Spike Lee, Henry Hampton, Stanley Nelson, St. Claire Bourne, and many other successful black documentary makers, there was Bill and Bill. Steeped in black history and culture, the work of these two pioneers laid a firm foundation for many of today's black filmmakers who continue a proud tradition of storytelling that began with Oscar Micheaux, Spencer Williams, and others.

This event is Co-presented by Firelight Media and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Although this event is free for public, registration is required. Click here to register today!

Christine Turner's Homegoings Had Its World Premiere at MoMA!

Christine Turner, Firelight media's talented Producers' Lab member, had the World Premier of her film Homegoings at MoMA's Documentary Fortnight 2013. An oversold crowd at the MoMA gave Turner a much deserved standing ovation for her film which takes a look at African American funeral traditions through the eyes of a beloved Harlem undertaker.