Looking for a way to network with Black filmmakers from across the country and around the globe? The Black Film Allegiance profiles cinematographers, costume designers, directors, screenwriters, and many other professionals within filmmaking. Additionally, the Black Film Allegiance notifies the community of film festival submission opportunities, grants, and speaker series through Instagram and Facebook.
Its YouTube channel offers Diaspora Table Talks, which feature diverse creators discussing how their African roots play into their film work. The most recent episode featured Nigerian-American Rolake Bamgbose Whitaker, who started working in news and progressed to producing documentaries such as The Day Sports Stood Still, D. Wade: Life Unexpected, and Rikers. Rolake says, “the first time I felt like a little bit more connected to being a Nigerian-American was actually when I went to Haiti.” Reporting on the 2010 earthquake there, Rolake reminisces now that “Haiti feels like Nigeria to me. It’s another developing country. There are many different languages spoken.” She continues that in traumatic moments, “there should be some care taken into who’s putting the camera in front of the face.” Her connection to Nigeria and the African diaspora allowed her to empathize and connect more with the Haitians and report with tact during that terrible time. Thus, our identity can serve us in meaningful ways.
Another episode featured Licínio Januário, an Angolan-Brazilian who originally started as a civil engineer. After five years of pursuing that path, Licíniono pivoted by moving to Brazil and founding wolo.tv — a streaming platform dedicated to representing the Portuguese-speaking African diaspora. That includes Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, São Tomé, and Príncipe, among other countries. “This is our goal,” Licínio says. “[To] accelerate our Black Portuguese content in the global market . . . We have a lot of stories to share with the world.” Particularly in Brazil, where much of the population is Black, yet media representation is still an issue, Licínio looks toward the future with inspiration from Tyler Perry and BET. On a flight layover in Atlanta, Licínio reminisces, “when I saw a lot of Black folks in the Tyler Perry Studios filming . . . taking photos with kids . . . I was like ‘woah!’ I came [back] to Brazil, and I said ‘it’s our time.'” Licínio emphasizes the importance of the African diaspora connecting with and learning from each other in such a way, especially when it comes to increasing positive media representation.
Check out the Black Film Allegiance’s directory to explore even more stories of talented, multifaceted Black filmmakers. And remember, as their motto says, “If denied access, create your own.”
For more information on pursuing a career in filmmaking, connect with one of our Career Coaches today by making an appointment through Handshake.
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