Category Archives: Films

Empowering Voices: Cassandra Bell’s Impact in Filmmaking

Cassandra Bell / Screenwriter /Director/Producer

โ€œNever allow doubt to stop your purpose. Use it to motivate it.โ€ -Cassandra Bell

In an entertainment world where female directors often face steep hurdles, Cassandra Bell has managed to rise above it all. These challenges range from limited funding opportunities and lack of representation to public scrutiny and controversy. She has not allowed industry politics or bias to derail her dreams. She has stayed focused on her purpose. She has sharpened her craft. She has consistently delivered projects that matter.

A proud Chicago native, Cassandra’s work is richly inspired by the culture and heartbeat of her community. Her academic journey through Columbia College and Roosevelt University was pivotal. She ultimately graduated with honors from Governor State University. This journey has shaped a filmmaker with both intellectual depth and creative brilliance. Bell is deeply committed to social justice. She has a gift for creating impactful visual narratives. She is intentional about uplifting underrepresented voicesโ€”especially women.

Her achievements speak volumes. Cassandra works as a Producer, Director, and Talent Scout for Gill Talent Group. She operates across major markets including Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles. She has proven her versatility and reach. She’s been invited to speak on several panels, both live and virtual. Her contributions have earned her the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award under the Biden Administration. This award is a recognition reserved for leaders whose impact transcends their field.

Regardless if it’s Womenโ€™s History Month and beyond, Cassandra Bell is a shining example of overcoming challenges. She persists and leads with purpose. She is not just telling storiesโ€”sheโ€™s rewriting the narrative for women and Black filmmakers everywhere.

DISNEY+ AND LUCASFILM BRING โ€œANDORโ€ SEASON ONE EPISODES TO HULU AND YOUTUBE

Everything You Need to Know About Andor Season 2 & Where to Watch Season 1

The countdown to Andor Season 2 is on, and Disney+ is making sure fans have plenty of ways to revisit the journey before the highly anticipated conclusion premieres on April 22.

Catch Up on Andor Season 1

Starting today, the full first season of Andor is available to stream on Hulu until April 22. If you’re looking for a quick refresher, episodes 1-3 are also available on the Disney+ YouTube channel, along with a newly released 14-minute Season 1 recap to get you up to speed before the next chapter begins.

Live Andor Re-Watch Event with Tony Gilroy

Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 13, at 12:00 P.M. PT, when Andor creator Tony Gilroy hosts โ€œAndor Season 1 with Tony Gilroy,โ€ a live re-watch event on YouTube. This special one-hour broadcast will feature select cast members, deep dives into key scenes, behind-the-scenes insights, and even opportunities for fans to ask questions. After the event, highlights will be shared across Disney+, Hulu, and Star Wars social media channels.

Season 2 Premieres April 22 on Disney+

The final season of Andor is set to be an intense, high-stakes journey as Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) becomes a crucial figure in the Rebel Alliance. As war looms, betrayals, sacrifices, and political intrigue will test every character. The 12-episode season will unfold in four chapters, each consisting of three episodes. The first three-episode chapter debuts April 22, with new episodes dropping weekly exclusively on Disney+.

A Star-Studded Cast & Creative Team

Returning for Season 2 are Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgรฅrd, Genevieve Oโ€™Reilly, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Alan Tudyk, Faye Marsay, Varada Sethu, Elizabeth Dulau, Ben Mendelsohn, and Forest Whitaker. The season was crafted by a powerhouse team of writers and directors, with Tony Gilroy, Beau Willimon, Dan Gilroy, and Tom Bissell leading the scripts, and Ariel Kleiman, Janus Metz, and Alonso Ruizpalacios directing.

Limited-Time Streaming Deal

Now through March 30, new and eligible returning customers can subscribe to the Disney+ and Hulu Bundle (Basic) for just $2.99/month for four monthsโ€”a $32 savings! Visit www.disneyplus.com to sign up.

With Season 2 of Andor on the horizon, nowโ€™s the perfect time to rewatch, revisit, and relive the story that sets the stage for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Donโ€™t miss out on what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to one of Star Warsโ€™ most acclaimed series.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

X@DisneyPlus@starwars

Instagram@DisneyPlus@starwars

Facebook@DisneyPlus@starwars

TikTok@DisneyPlus@StarWars

Hashtag: #DisneyPlus; #Andor


Reasonable Doubt: Jax Stewart Faces New Challenges and Engaging Cases

“Reasonable Doubt” is created, written and executive produced by Raamla Mohamed. Kerry Washington executive-produces alongside Pilar Savone for Simpson Street and Larry Wilmore via Wilmore Films. Shawn Holley, Tamara Gregory and Jon Leshay serve as co-executive producers. The series hails from Onyx Collective and is produced by ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios.
Big Tigger - Narrator

“Reasonable Doubt” Season 2 premieres Thursday, August 22 on Hulu. In part of the celebration, Hulu and the Onyx Collective decided to host a screening in Decatur Georgia at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse with the honorable radio personality Big Tigger as moderator of the Q & A after the screening with the returning cast of last season. Emayatzy Corinealdi, McKinley Freeman, Tim Jo, Angela Grovey, Aderinsola Olabode, and Thaddeus J. Mixson.

This new season heralds significant developments for the audience, with the acclaimed actor Morris Chestnut (The Best Man) making his debut in the cast, alongside several remarkable guest appearances. I am pleased to divulge one name in particular: Kandi Burruss. The upcoming season promises to be truly exceptional.

After successfully healing from her wounds from last season’s arduous trial and deadly affair, Jax Stewart is determined to rebuild her life. But when one of her closest friends confesses to killing her husband in self-defense, Jax brings in an ambitious defense attorney to lead the case. Despite the tense situation, Jax remains hopeful as she works to defend her friend, strengthen her marriage, and navigate the biggest case of her career while preserving her energy.

Onyx Collective and ABC Signature have excitedly announced a renewal for the second season of the popular Hulu Original drama series “Reasonable Doubt,” spearheaded by executive producers Raamla Mohamed, Kerry Washington, and Larry Wilmore.

“Reasonable Doubt” continues to captivate audiences with the compelling story of Los Angeles-based high-powered criminal defense attorney Jacqueline “Jax” Stewart (Corinealdi) as she confronts past traumas, navigates the challenges of a failing marriage and motherhood, and tackles a captivating murder case, all while striving to keep balance in her life. Chestnut will portray Corey Cash, a charming and media-savvy defense attorney who often finds himself as the underdog. As Jax enlists Corey’s help on a new high-profile case, she realizes the potential in Corey’s shine and is determined to leverage his strengths to fortify her position at the firm.

Photo Credit: Jonell Whitt

Unveiling Jim Henson’s Legacy: The Must-Watch Documentary on Disney+

The Seasonโ€™s Most Emmy-Nominated Documentary on Disney+

“Jim Henson Idea Man” invites us to explore the captivating mind of this extraordinary creative visionary, tracing his journey from a young puppeteer on local television to the global triumph of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and beyond. Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard skillfully captures Henson’s relentless creativity, ambition, and artistic growth in a manner that reflects the essence of this intricate individual – an artist who transformed television, ignited the imagination of countless generations, and gave life to some of the most cherished characters in the world. With fresh interviews from Henson’s closest collaborators and children, alongside exclusive materials from his personal archives – including home movies, photographs, sketches, and diaries – Howard presents an engaging and profound glimpse into the life of a man whose limitless imagination left an indelible mark on the world.

CREDITS: โ€œJim Henson Idea Manโ€ is produced and directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Sara Bernstein, Margaret Bodde, Justin Wilkes, Mark Monroe and Christopher St. John, with Paul Crowder, Meredith Kaulfers and Michael Rosenberg serving as executive producers.
Trailer

FALLOUT Series Premiere Event with Jonathan Nolan and Cast | Prime Video

On August 15, a special taste maker event at The Pendry West Hollywood was attended by the team behind Prime Video’s FALLOUT, including Executive Producer Director Jonathan Nolan, Creator/Show runner Graham Wagner, several cast members, and key production personnel. Notable guests Angelica Ross and Steven Ogg were also in attendance.

FALLOUT is Nominated for 17 Emmys including OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES, OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES (Walton Goggins) and OUTSTANDING WRITING IN A DRAMA SERIES

Based on one of the greatest video game series of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have nots in a world in which thereโ€™s almost nothing left to have. 200 years after the apocalypse, a peaceful denizen from a cozy fallout shelter is forced to return to the surface–and is shocked to discover the wasteland waiting for her.


Meet Ella Purnell as Lucy, the ever-optimistic Vault-dweller bursting with an all-American can-do spirit. Her peaceful and idealistic nature faces the ultimate test as she is propelled to the surface on a mission to rescue her father. Aaron Moten portrays Maximus, a young soldier ascending the ranks to become a squire within the militaristic Brotherhood of Steel. Driven by unwavering determination, he stops at nothing to uphold the Brotherhoodโ€™s mission of establishing law and order in the wasteland. Walton Goggins takes on the role of the Ghoul, a morally enigmatic bounty hunter carrying within him 200 years of post-nuclear history. These distinct characters find themselves on a collision course as they pursue an artifact with the power to reshape the world’s power dynamics.


This thrilling series is brought to you by Kilter Films and the acclaimed executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, with Nolan at the helm for the first three episodes. Executive producers, writers, and co-showrunners Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner promise an electrifying narrative. The show stars Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Aaron Moten (Emancipation), and Walton Goggins (The Hateful Eight) at its core. Athena Wickham of Kilter Films joins forces with Todd Howard for Bethesda Game Studios and James Altman for Bethesda Softworks as executive producers. Amazon MGM Studios and Kilter Films, in association with Bethesda Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks, come together to produce this highly anticipated series. The talented cast includes Moisรฉs Arias (The King of Staten Island), Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks), Sarita Choudhury (Homeland), Michael Emerson (Person of Interest), Leslie Uggams (Deadpool), Frances Turner (The Boys), Dave Register (Heightened), Zach Cherry (Severance), Johnny Pemberton (Ant-Man), Rodrigo Luzzi (Dead Ringers), Annabel O’Hagan (Law & Order: SVU), and Xelia Mendes-Jones (The Wheel of Time). Prepare to stream this captivating series exclusively on Prime Video, available in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Showrunners: Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner

Starring: Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins, Aaron Moten, Moisรฉs Arias, Kyle MacLachlan, Sarita Choudhury, Michael Emerson, Leslie Uggams, Frances Turner, Dave Register, Zach Cherry, Johnny Pemberton, Rodrigo Luzzi, Annabel O’Hagan, and Xelia Mendes-Jones

Executive Producers: Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Graham Wagner, Jonathan Nolan, Lisa Joy, Athena Wickham, Todd Howard, James Altman

OFFICIAL PRIME VIDEO SOCIAL

Instagram: @PrimeVideo

X: @PrimeVideo

Malik Whitfield and Veronika Bozeman talk about Tubi Original ‘Still Here’

Malik Whitfield and Veronika Bozeman chat it up about their prospective roles in Still Here and how their amazing chemistry on set made for a lifetime friendship.

Listed below are the main characters in the film. Stream on TUBI this weekend.

  • Charles Malik Whitfield – William Law
  • Veronika Bozeman – Jennifer Law
  • Blue Kimble – Kenny
  • Tanee McCall – Kimberly Stanton
  • Erika Guillory White – Detective Milestone
  • Gary Sturgis – Detective Gary
  • Flex Alexander – Detective Gray
  • Terrell Clayton – Frank
  • LaRita Shelby – Kaitlin
  • Ad Davis – Trevor Staples
  • Alyssa Rachel – Breanna

Better Youth.org Presents the 9th Annual Real to Reel

Real To Real specializes in providing quality content for various platforms.

Great Advancement

The festival has experienced extraordinary growth since its inception, and this year’s festivities promise to be truly spectacular. Prepare to be captivated by an impressive lineup of special guests, including the renowned personalities PERSON, PERSON, and PERSON, who will be screening an incredible selection of youth-created films from across the globe.

Real To Reel is held under the expert guidance of a dedicated team of talented youth producers, backed by a formidable network of seasoned professionals. Rest assured, this event is set to surpass all expectations and deliver an unforgettable experience.

CREATIVES COMING TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The future rests in the hands of the youth. We provide the tools to discover your voice and tell your story.


Donate

Make an impact, make a difference. Every dollar invested equals an increase in giving our youth more opportunities. Employment

readiness, financial independence, stability, and more thanks to your support. Help us further transform lives today!

Mentor

Do you have experience in digital media arts, film, TV, music, or being a mentor? Increase your network and create impactful connections. Join our exciting community of mentors to share, connect, guide & mentor our youth


Follow

Watch the word of our wonderful community here at Better Youth by following us on Instagram! Share our organization with friends, family, and everyone in-between. Every follow helps us further share stories and bring better opportunities to our youth.

Our Story 

Founded by Syd Stewart, Better Youth started as a music and creative writing organization. In the heart of New York City, Stewart led with the goal to ease children from their daily adversities.

She worked with children from The Ronald McDonald House battling cancer and children facing poverty in the housing projects of Harlem. In 2010, Stewart set her sights on the west coast in Los Angeles.

Frederick R. Best to Pens Biopic on Surviving Thalidomide

‘Born to Win’ is the mindset his mom always instilled in his heart and now Frederick R Best inspires others through his 12 books

Frederick R. Best penned the book ‘They said I wouldnโ€™t make it,โ€™ and is currently shopping his book for a biopic documentary. The book was previously turned into a hit stage play. This is one of the 12 books inked by Best. The father, motivational speaker and pastor was born in Bethel, N.C with muscular and skeletal deformities. 

At birth, his kneecaps were backwards and his knees could not be bent. His left arm is not fully formed and he has limited use of his right hand. These were physical challenges he would physically be affected by his entire life.  It was definitely the love and encouragement from his mom who made him feel that he was capable of all accomplishments he sought after. She encouraged Best to never look at his circumstances as a disability but  to live from his heart and mind. This is how Frederick Best learned to develop the mindset that he was no different than anybody else.

Being able to triumph over the toughest of hardships and triumphs are feats that Best credits to “the power of God.” He makes it his intentional purpose to inspire everyone he meets and plant the seeds that show people “they were born to win” regardless of their circumstances. Best’s physical defects were caused by Thalidomide, a drug his mother had taken for morning sickness. 

This drug originated in Hamburg, Germany in 1956. The first baby born to thalidomide was the result of a test drug given to women to help with morning sickness. They told everyone the drug was completely safe. No one knew the drug would later cause over 20,000 babies to be born with birth defects. By 1961 Two and a half million pills were handed out to doctors to pass out to patients. Thalidomide started out in the United States as a trial test but years later it was discovered this drug that caused thousands of fetal abnormalities was never approved in the United States.

The one thing Best always did while growing up was train his mindset to focus on the things he did have rather than what he didn’t have; and he embraced what he was able to do instead of focusing on the negative. His attitude enabled him to call himself the ambassador of hope.

15 million pills per month were being sold in Germany. There was an astounding number of babies born with deformities all linked to thalidomide. It wasnโ€™t until 1961 that 67,000 doctors were sent letters to all the doctors warning against the use of this drug; but it wasnโ€™t until the press got a hold of this until the drug stopped being administered.ย ย 

Raised in a very poor environment, his mom eventually lost all 15 of her kids to social services and they were all separated and placed in foster care. Nothing deterred Dr.Frederick R Best from the thought of putting his family back together. When he turned legal age he set out on this life mission to find his family and eventually got every last one of his living siblings out of foster care and under his legal guardianship, even his mother. 

“She taught and trained me over the years to never let anyone treat me as though I was handicapped. My mother always encouraged me to never let anyone put a label on me. She taught me that being handicapped was a state of mind, and not a state of being.โ€ – Frederick R Best

Thalidomide is still being made and currently a drug to treat leprosy and cancer. In Germany there was a multi-million dollar settlement reached along with an apology after 50 years from the creator of the drug. According to several reports thalidomide babies are still being born. Today the value of this drug has soared to 1oo billion dollars. Thalidomide survivors are not happy with just an apology and there are about 40 women who have never been compensated for anything from the lawsuit.

 Available on Amazon.com

Frederick R Best is now shopping his book ‘ They said I wouldn’t make it’ to tell his story and offer hope as he is still alive, and his best days are spent raising his son, writing books, and spreading hope. As the fourth son of fifteen siblings, his biggest desire  is for his story to be told across the world and inspire others to never give up regardless of their circumstances because everyone is born to win.

Source: Upscale Magazine

Courtney Ward-Thompkins wants you to manifest your life through your works

“Speak into existence the life you dreamed about having”

Courtney Ward Thompkins
Courtney Ward-Thompkins

Producer, writer and content creator of scripted and unscripted television Courtney Ward-Thompkins is not afraid to live her dreams out loud. After interning with LaFace records she discovered her love for working in the entertainment industry. It’s not uncommon for someone who started in the music industry to navigate their way into the world of film and television.

Once Thompkins paved her way in the film industry through obtaining several titles such as production secretary, production manager , production coordinator, travel coordinator, doing overnights, and the list goes on. She was able to learn the in’s and outs of the industry; the do’s and what not to do and felt the urgency to share her knowledge with others. She believed all the information she obtained over the years would be extremely beneficial to newcomers just starting out to help them better navigate their way through the industry. This brings us to the creation of Courtney Ward’s Seminar. Check out her interview with Jonell Whitt from Rolling Out.

Courtney Ward-Thompkins

CMNTY CULTURE’s DEBUT FILM PROJECT ‘THE LAST PLANTATION’

Photo Credit Jaloni Williams
Photo Credit: Jaloni Williams

BASED ON THE UNTOLD TRUE STORY OF BLACK FARMER JOHN BOYD JR. AND LAWYER JAMES FARRIN WHO WORKED TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE JUSTICE FOR BLACK FARMERS IN AMERICA

Los Angeles, CA, June 10, 2021 – Today, CMNTY Culture, a Black-owned entertainment and media enterprise founded by eight-time GRAMMY award-winning songwriter Philip Lawrence, announced its first film project, The Last Plantation, via its film/ TV vertical, CMNTY Culture Films. CMNTY Culture will be the lead production company on The Last Plantation, an untold true story chronicling one of the largest civil rights settlements in history. Hunt Lowry(A Time to Kill, Last of the Mohicans) of Roserock Films and Jesse Kennedy (Brooklynโ€™s Finest, Stolen) are signed on to produce the film, joined by Philip Lawrence, CMNTY Culture Chief Operating Officer/ Chief Legal Officer Miles Cooley, CMNTY Culture CEO Thomas St. John, and main character/ lawyerJames Farrin as executive producers. 

Written by Tyger Williams (Menace II Society, Self Made: Madam C.J. Walker), The Last Plantation follows Black soybean farmer, John Boyd Jr., and white car accident attorney, James Farrin, as they overcome long odds and Washington gridlock to obtain a $1.25 billion settlement for over 18,000 Black farmers who had been discriminated against by the U.S. government. For years, the USDA routinely treated Black farmers unjustly, earning it the unfortunate nickname โ€œthe last plantation.โ€

โ€œWith its underlying themes of racial justice and social equity, โ€˜The Last Plantationโ€™ showcases everything that CMNTY Culture stands for. Itโ€™s an important story to tell, not only because of its historical context, but also because it points to how we can come together to address social issues and injustices, even in a polarized world,โ€ said CMNTY Culture Founder and Chairman, Philip Lawrence. โ€œWe couldnโ€™t be happier to launch our film/ TV vertical with such an inspiring project and hope that it helps shed some much-overdue light on the often-neglected plight of Black farmers in America.โ€

The premise of the film aligns closely with CMNTY Cultureโ€™s mission of promoting and advancing racial equity, social justice, and diversity/inclusion in all aspects of its business, which includes film/TV, music, music publishing, and real estate. Philip Lawrence founded the company in 2019 alongside a visionary group of accomplished leaders: Thomas St. John, Founder of Thomas St. John Group; Miles Cooley, formerly DLA Piper; Marlena Kaplan, formerly Blackstone; Malik Rasheed, formerly Epic Records; and Chief Johnson, formerly PUMA Group.

###

About CMNTY Culture: Launched in 2019, CMNTY Culture is a Black-owned, independent music and media enterprise founded by eight-time GRAMMY award-winning songwriter Philip Lawrence in partnership with Thomas St. John, founder of Thomas St. John Group, a leading international accounting and business management firm. The company has several portfolio entertainment verticals in the music, music publishing, film/ TV, and real estate spaces.  CMNTY Culture is dedicated to advocating for and empowering artists across disciplines, as well as promoting and advancing racial equity, social justice, and diversity/inclusion in all aspects of its business. To find out more, you can visit: https://cmntyculture.com/


Media Contacts:

Sunshine Sachs

Paula Witt/ Maggie Faircloth/ Samantha Stephens/ Daniella Colletti – CMNTYCulture@SunshineSachs.com