Events

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.

What's Next for Firelight? -- A Word From Stanley Nelson

As we wrap up the summer, I am especially excited about our two newest projects: one film about the Black Panther Party and another one about Freedom Summer. This Fall promises to be exciting as we start doing interviews and collecting footage.

For me, these projects are so close together in terms of era—1964 and 1966, but they are incredibly different stories. In many ways they are about different paths to liberation for African Americans. These projects are important now because we want to capture the voices of those who were active in those struggles and are aging. They are also about how individuals can participate and make a call to action in very different ways: one group fighting for the vote and for change within the system and the other saying we need drastic revolutionary change in this country. In many ways, young people have mythologized them, but many don’t know the true story. We want to make these figures human and demonstrate that the people who participated were really young. Movements can happen if you participate and if you believe in them.

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Firelight Media & OSF Seminar: Creating Social Impact through Story in a Transmedia World -- Application Due April 27th!

THE FIRELIGHT MEDIA PRODUCERS' LAB & OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS PRESENT:
Creating Social Impact through Story in a Transmedia World
A two-day Seminar
MAY 3RD AND 4TH, 2012

The Firelight Media Producers' Lab & Open Society Foundations (OSF) cordially invite emerging producers and directors of color to apply to the our latest seminar: "Creating Social Impact through Story in a Transmedia World." Over the course of two days, broadcasters, programmers, independents, executives, and community organizers will explore how social and transmedia has: diversified media content, altered means of production, and broadened platforms of distribution.

This seminar will be held in New York City. Details TBA.

Interested producers and directors please complete the attached application and email to: stacey@firelightmedia.org. In the subject line please type “Firelight & OSI Application May2012”. Download a copy of the application here: fm_osi_seminar_application

DEADLINE EXTENDED! All applications must be received Friday, April 27th.

Stanley Nelson Speaks About Creating Nonfiction Cinema

Last week, in anticipation of the Full Frame Docuemtary Festival in Durham, North Carolina, Stanley Nelson spoke about his beginnings and life-long career creating documentaries with NewsObserver.com. He stated: “I wanted something with a learning curve that was never-ending.” He decided to pursue documentaries after seeing the 1971 feature The Murder of Fred Hampton. “I liked that I was affected by (the Hampton) film,” he said. “It was different from what I had known about documentaries, the films they brought into your school class that were boring. This was telling stories that were true to life.” Click here to read the whole article.

The Full Frame Festival honored Nelson for his work with a multi-day Tribute.

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FREE SCREENING OF JESSE OWENS - Wednesday, April 11th @7:30 PM!

Join the Black Documentary Collective for a FREE screening of the new film JESSE OWENS at Harlem Stage.*

Wednesday, April 11th 7:30 PM
Moderated discussion and Q&A to follow
Location: Harlem Stage
150 Convent Avenue at West 135th Street
New York, NY 10031

To RSVP: boxoffice@harlemstage.org or call 212-281-9240 ext. 19 or 20
For more details go to: http://harlemstage.org/calendar/eventlist#205:jesse-owens

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Firelight Spring 2012 Calendar

Upcoming Events

Join us at these upcoming events featuring films and staff from Firelight.

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AN EVENING WITH FILMMAKER LAURENS GRANT

African American Women In Cinema celebrates Women History Month with a special Women In Film Series! The event will take place on March 21, 2012 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Showbiz Cafe located at 19 W. 21st Street btwn 5th & 6th Aves in New York City.

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Recap from the POV & Firelight Media Summit: Sustaining a Career as a Public Media Maker

The following blog post first appeared on POV's blog thanks to our very own Shoshone Johnson! In this post, Shoshone shares highlights of the “Sustaining a Career as a Public Media Maker” summit co-hosted by Firelight Media's Producers' Lab and POV last Friday.

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POV/Firelight Symposium: Sustaining a Career as a Public Media Maker - Fri., Feb 17

SUSTAINING A CAREER AS A PUBLIC MEDIA MAKER: MODELS, BEST PRACTICES, & STRATEGIES TO HELP MEDIA MAKERS STAY IN THE GAME

Hoping against hope that you can pay the bills making films rather than selling real estate? Tired of spending long hours staring at grant proposals? We have the event for you…

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