2021 Sundance Film Festival

Join Blackhouse and its Presenting Sponsor, Facebook, in a deep dive conversation with the directors behind a selection of Sundance’s hottest Black short films. We will reflect on the stories behind their buzzed about films and their paths to the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.

Travis Payne interviews the choreographer and actresses from the Hit STARZ series.

Blackhouse, Muslim House, The Latinx House, Native and IllumiNative, the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience, and MACRO Lodge will come together to present a multi-ethnic, multi-racial panel highlighting the 2021 Sundance Film Festival’s BIPOC directors. The panel will reflect on the importance of unity and authentic representation through a discussion of the directors’ Sundance films, the intersections between their projects and each director’s journey to Sundance in this landmark age of pandemic and potential renewal. Moderated by Tabitha Jackson, Director of the Sundance Film Festival.

At the 2021 Virtual Sundance Film Festival, the Blackhouse Foundation and Strayer University will demonstrate the importance of using cinematic storytelling to improve student outcomes in higher education.

Festival attendees will get a sneak peak into United for Equality. 3 Films, 3 Directors, 1 Story about advocating for racial equity. The activation will close out with a panel discussion on the importance of authorship in filmmaking, and harnessing the power of content as a tool for racial equity and change in the classroom.

Join OWN president Tina Perry, series showrunners Dee Harris-Lawrence (Peabody Award-winning David Makes Man”) and Anthony Sparks (Image Award-winning “Queen Sugar”) as well as “(In)Visible Portrait’s” filmmaker/thought-leader, Oge Egbuonu, for an engaging conversation centered on the uniquity of OWN’s prestige programming. From a Peabody award winning series, to a well-seasoned family drama, to a documentary acquisition, the panelists will share how their respective projects contribute to the vision and art form of the network’s compelling Black storytelling.

In “The United States vs Billie Holiday,” Lee Daniels tackles the untold Story of the Jazz Singer’s Civil Rights activism. Join us as Janaya Future Khan (Black Lives Matter Toronto, Founder) moderates a can’t-miss discussion of the film and Billie Holiday’s legacy.

Join Blackhouse and its Presenting Sponsor, Facebook, for a brunch celebrating the SEEN Black Filmmakers program and featuring a Black chef to help you cook from you home.

COVID shut down our industry and we are still on a journey to reopening. As we wait to see what the future holds, this moment puts us at a crossroads. When the world opens back up, where will Black stories and storytellers find themselves in this restarted Hollywood? Do we risk losing ground on the progress we’ve been working towards these past years when we come back on set?

Media presence translates into influence and power. How are the young leaders and visionaries of today flexing their muscle to change the World?

A year after the release of the groundbreaking research study, Normalizing Injustice, join Color Of Change Hollywood for a discussion about progress, the future of crime TV, and how we can use storytelling to reflect the reality of the criminal justice system in this country. This conversation will include an examination of the power of media to impact culture, and an exploration of opportunities to affect change moving forward.

You know there ain’t no party like a Blackhouse party so we had to get one together if even virtually! Join us to connect with the rest of your Blackhouse family with a curation of music by our resident dj, Vikter Duplaix.

A conversation covering how, in 2021, Covid 19 has affected changes in production methodology, schedules, locations, risk assessment/management and more.

An intimate conversation between Directors Shaka King and Steven Caple Jr. that explores their journey from the thrill and promise of Sundance premieres to  landmark career opportunities to direct a major studio film. They’ll delve into the evolution of Judas and The Messiah, it’s critical acclaim, and the significance of a young black male director telling Fred Hampton’s story at this moment in history.

For content creators tired of facing closed doors, re-living the same year over, and seeking the next level of recognition, knowledge, exposure, and impact with their work this panel is for you. This interactive panel will feature award-winning filmmakers and content creators [INSERT SIZZLE] as part of the Blackhouse, IFP Multicultural Producer to discuss and answer questions on how to navigate and leverage programs fellowships, labs, retreats, strategic networking, and other best kept secrets as a way to propel you and your career forward.

A panel of diverse creators of AR/VR/AI new media projects that envision the past, present, and future will share the urgency of radically focusing on Black Futures, the creative nuances of storytelling for the AR/VR/AI platform, and the path to developing, funding, and sharing your content to create impact.

Examining the Impact of Patriarchal Violence Through the Lens of Black Creatives and Critics

Join us as we take a look back at the most insightful and inspirational moments of the inaugural season of The Entrepreneur Series with industry powerhouse guests: Reginald Hudlin (producer, influential filmmaker, and entrepreneur), Datari Turner (producer, writer, and creator), Roxanne Taylor (producer and entrepreneur) and Deon Taylor (director and entrepreneur), Ashley Holland (TV agent at WME), and Tonje Bakang (show creator, producer, and entrepreneur) moderated by industry leader and Blackhouse board member, Pauline Fischer.

These change agents provided invaluable perspectives on key central themes that are critical to success. This is truly a great way to close out the 2021 Blackhouse at Sundance Film Festival with these positive, powerful and truthful views on the world of entertainment. We look forward to seeing you there!