Ujima Film Project

04/10/2026

Next Narrative Africa Fund Launches $50M Slate

Founder Akunna Cook’s Next Narrative Africa Fund (NNAF) recently unveiled its inaugural cohort of nine film and TV projects. Backed by a $40M commercial fund and a $10M venture studio, the slate includes work from Trevor Noah, Rapman, and the Esiri Brothers. The NNAF aims to "industrialize" the African narrative by de-risking high-value IP and ensuring creators retain ownership of their stories.

$50m in content funding to be deployed over five years.

03/24/2026

The Rise of "Black Travel" Cinema: A new wave of indie films, like You, Me & Tuscany starring Halle Bailey, is pivoting away from trauma toward themes of luxury, self-discovery, and global Black joy.

You, Me & Tuscany - In Theaters April 10Sometimes the wrong place is right where you need to be. From Will Packer, the blockbuster producer of Girls Trip, th...

03/17/2026

The Ceiling is Officially Glass

Last night, the 98th Academy Awards gave us a moment we’ve been waiting nearly a century for.

Autumn Durald Arkapaw didn’t just win an Oscar for Cinematography; she dismantled a 98-year-old barrier. As the first woman and first Black Filipina to take home the prize for her work on Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, the message to our community is clear: our visual language is no longer "niche"—it’s the gold standard.

For years, Black indie filmmakers have been told that our "look" or our "vibe" didn't fit the traditional prestige mold. Arkapaw’s win, alongside Michael B. Jordan’s Best Actor victory for the same film, proves that when we control the frame, we control the narrative of what "great cinema" actually looks like.

This isn't just about a trophy. It’s about the technical validation of Black cinematographers, gaffers, and editors who have long been overlooked in the "Below the Line" categories.

The door is open. Who’s walking through it next?

03/13/2026

https://x.com/joshuaneall/status/2028570312653394105?s=46&t=m1vyPBrXaQpUXoOcVUunCQ

03/08/2026

03/07/2026

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/ben-affleck-ai-netflix-1236521806/

The streaming giant is acquiring InterPositive, which develops proprietary AI tools to help filmmakers and creatives, with the actor and director also joining Netflix as a senior adviser.

03/06/2026

The Resurgence of the Jacksonville Black Film Scene

A century after the historic Norman Studios put Florida on the map, a new wave of Black independent filmmakers is reclaiming Jacksonville. Leading the charge is Samuel Hunter, whose upcoming feature A Meaningful Night recently gained national attention on The Jennifer Hudson Show. By leveraging crowdfunding and a supportive local ecosystem, these creators are bypassing traditional Hollywood barriers to prove that world-class storytelling doesn't require a California zip code.

Source: News4JAX -

From the silent films of Norman Studios to a new generation of storytellers, Jacksonville’s Black independent film scene is undergoing a quiet resurgence.

02/16/2026

Are any of you going to watch this on Presidents Day?

02/16/2026

We're listening to old Podcast on the subject of Black Cinema via Youtube. It may be time we started ours! Anyone interested in collaborating? LET US KNOW!

This is John Drabinski and you’re listening to The Black Studies podcast, a series of conversations examining the history of the field. Our conversations eng...

01/09/2026

Lee has ideas on getting your feature film financed - check it out.

Film financing only works when the structure is disciplined. One of the cleanest, most investor-friendly models I use in Private Placement Memorandums is the “Mini-Maxi” structure: • A defined minimum raise that fully finances the film • A clear maximum cap that allows upside flexibility wit...

12/30/2025

Idris Elba to receive Knighthood (United Kingdom) in 2026

Idris Elba made the list of honorees by King Charles to be knighted in an annual tradition celebrating professional excellence and community service. He will be recognized for his charity work with young people from anti-knife crime campaigns to his foundation that provides grants to organizations a...

12/29/2025

Philly’s BlackStar Film Festival just dropped a lineup that refuses to compromise. We’re talking about the “Global Majority” taking up space and demanding the frame. If you think cinema is just entertainment, you aren’t paying attention.
Read the deep dive in my latest newsletter.

BlackCinema