Category Archives: Screenwriting

“Precious” screened at the Toronto International Film Festival

Posted on by

Sundance 2009 grand Jury Prize and Audience Award Winner “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire” screened to an enthusiastic audience at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival!

Media moguls Oprah Winfrey (Harpo Films) and Tyler Perry backed Lionsgate Films’ acquisition of North American distribution rights to the film. Lionsgate acquired the film February 2, 2009.

This is the first film distributed under Tyler Perry’s 34th Street Banner. According to Suite 101, the film stars Mo’Nique, Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, Paula Patton, Sherri Shepherd, Nealla Gordon, Stephanie Andujar, and Grammy-winning artists Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz.

Gabrielle Union Will Produce Telepic for Lifetime

Posted on by

Gabrielle Union

Actress Gabrielle Union is taking on a new role…executive producer. Following other Black actresses who are commanding a presence in film, media and television, Ms. Union has signed on with Lifetime to produce a telepic named “The Vow,” by author Denene Miller , along with co-producers Tracey Edmonds and Sheila Duckworth. Screenwriter Nzingha Stewart will translate the film to television.  Sisters are finding it better to do it themselves!

Original Script Deadline Extended to August 15th!

Posted on by

Organization of Black Screen Writers has extended its “Original Script” contest deadline to August 15, 2009!

I. Writers MUST print WGA or Copyright registration number on Title page.

II. Scripts must be free of author’s name and contact information. Attached submission forms will contain all contact information.

III. Writers interested in receiving coverage on their submitted scripts should send two copies and add $25 to the entry fee.

IV. OBS will accept a maximum of four scripts per writer. One fee per script.

V. Scripts will not be accepted: Unbound, unregistered, or over 125 pages in length (Features) 60 pages (TV Pilots). Submitted scripts should be formatted according to current industry standards.

VI. When there are multiple writers of a script, each writer MUST submit an entry form. All forms MUST be enclosed with script submission.

VII. Finalists will be selected by experienced readers. Winners in each category will be selected
by a particpating OBS board member. Winners will

Vote for the Next Big Filmmaker! Dee Rees!!

Posted on by

Vote at Netflix “Find Your Voice”: http://www.netflixfindyourvoice.com/
Web-site: http://www.pariahthemovie.com/ 

 Pariah is a coming-of-age drama about a lesbian teenager who unsuccessfully juggles multiple identities to avoid rejection from her friends and family.

Producer Nekisa Cooper is looking for your voice and support for her film Pariah. Pariah is set against the kinetic and incongruous social landscape of middle class New York City, Alike vacillates between being a proud and sexually independent woman amongst her openly gay friends and being the feminine, obedient girl that her strict Christian upbringing dictates she be.

Torn by mounting pressure from home, school, and within, the line between her dual personas wears thin with explosive consequences.

Here’s a Message From Ms. Cooper:

Written by award-winning Sundance Institute Fellow

 Dee Rees, PARIAH, is a coming of age story about a black lesbian teenager

 struggling to express her sexual identity. We are fortunate to be 1 of 10

 semifinalists in the Netflix Find Your Voice Competition and I need help

 getting the word about for people to support the film. Please visit our

 website to learn more about the award-winning short film and our plans to

 turn it into a feature. Please contact me if you’re interested in

 learning more and supporting us in getting more diversity on the big

 screen! Thanks so much for your time and consideration.

 Best Regards,

 Nekisa Cooper

 Producer, PARIAH

Let’s support this film and this sister by voting for her at http://www.netflixfindyourvoice.com/

Thandie Newton to Star as Condoleezza Rice…Take the Poll!

Posted on by

The beautiful British actress Thandie Newton will star as the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Oliver Stone’s new movie W, starring Josh Brolin. We told you it was going to happen three months ago, but now it’s ready for primetime, opening Friday, October 17th, 2008, in theaters across the U.S.!
[ad]
Can a Brit understand the nuances of an educated, African American woman who’s climbed to one of the top posts in the United States government?

Let’s hope she does it justice…both of ‘em…

 

[polldaddy poll="998399"]

Official Movie Site