SUNDANCE 2016: Miles, Michael and an Underground Birth of A Nation

Another Sundance Film Festival has come and gone and leaves a lot to look forward to in 2016.

The documentaries ranged from Life, Animated to Norman Lear to an emotional ride down memory lane with Spike Lee’ s doc Michael Jackson: Off The Wall. Diversity, yet again , was the “trending topic” of the ten-day stretch, which even festival founder Robert Redford grew tired of discussing. Not necessarily because he was “over it”, but feels like that type of change in our industry is long overdue.

Don Cheadles’ project (“Miles Ahead”) about Miles Davis was met with thunderous applause, as were, “Southside With You” and “The Birth of a Nation”, which made Sundance history by brokering a deal for $17.5 million with 20th Century Fox before the festival was even over.

For my Jane Austin freaks and geeks, the latest installment “Love & Friendship” based on a short story and starring Kate Beckingsale in the role of Lady Susan does not disappoint.

The Blackhouse Foundation, an organization committed to producing and showcasing works of people of color during the festival was off the charts this year and celebrating it 10-year anniversary! From it’s cutting edge panels on Finance and YouTube to the full cast & creatives of “The Birth of a Nation” , WGN’s ” mini-series “Underground” to a closing night party with none other than Grammy Award winner Erykah Badu playing DJ…the Blackhouse was the place to meet, greet, see and be seen.

Also celebrating a 10 year anniversary was Sundance’s New Frontier, Sting lit up the ASCAP Music Cafe and my initial namesake KCRW broadcast some great interview LIVE from Main Street!

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I made a commitment this year to feature the projects produced, directed and featuring mostly people of color and women. Their projects are as talked about as the mainstream things that come out of these festivals, so I decided to be their eyes, ears and voice for 2016.

Click on the titles and video links below to see the reviews, enjoy and if you like what you see, SHARE..SUBSCRIBE...and let a sista’ know how you feel. I am always up for some invigorating conversation.

SUNDANCE DAY ONE: Diversity Is Independence

SUNDANCE DAY TWO: NETFLIX & BLACKHOUSE

SUNDANCE: MILES, MICHAEL and an Underground Birth of A Nation