Birth of Black Films

This film series deals with the birth of independent Black Films and their impact on America. Long overlooked and under praised, the race films of the 1920s through the 1950s are the bedrock on which today’s Black film art is built. Their existence is a tribute to the ingenuity, perseverance of people who recognized the power of a medium they were locked out of and then successfully harnessed some of that power for themselves. It take us on a journey of the early years of black film introducing us to the pioneers, the studio owners, producers, directors and actors who created a viable black-owned industry.

These films ran the gamut from drama and horror to romance and lavish musicals. There have been attempts to examine segments of the journey of black film, but our documentary film, is a comprehensive look at race films like never before through the 20 year research and collection of the late author and film historian, Larry Richards. The series is hosted by his wife Beverly Richards.

BIRTH OF BLACK FILMS