Black leaders in the film industry have continually broken barriers with their films to pave the way for emerging voices, and many are doing this by establishing their own production companies. Case in point: Oscar Micheaux, known as America’s first black filmmaker, in 1919 was the only man of color to ever produce a feature film. Micheaux, considered the most successful African-American filmmaker worked as a film director and independent producer on more than 44 existing projects in the first half of the 20th century. He produced both silent and sound pieces throughout his career, creating opportunities for hundreds of artists.
Spike Lee transformed the industry in ’86 with his directorial debut, the critically acclaimed romantic comedy film She must have it center on sexuality in the black community; the main character, Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns), explores sexual relationships with three different men. Though considered controversial by some, many critics considered the film to be inspirational and told the story of a woman of color who is sexually liberated in a time period that did not follow the same sentiment.
Similar criticisms have been leveled, for example, with Tyler Perry’s analysis. A lot of criticize his depiction of black women and men on screen due to the heightened level of trauma and pain his black characters typically endure before arriving at a place of contentment at the end of the film. Though disturbing, it’s important to see these aspects of life reflected in Perry’s works. If we really strive in life to achieve something beyond our current circumstances, we will endure 99.9% forms of trauma; it just is what it is. Perry certainly doesn’t perfectly illustrate that struggle in every film, but he does show the difficulties life can bring before welcoming growth and success. Like Spike Lee, Perry founded his own production company and the two black filmmakers have incorporated numerous new voices into their work.
The inclusion of POC (people of color) both on and behind the screen is essential as it reflects diversity. Representation in the media and the various art forms enable viewers (especially the younger generation) to see people who are similar to them reflected in the content they consume. There was once a time when black directors’ voices were pushed out by the mainstream media, but the rise of black distribution companies (such as Spike Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule, Tyler Perry Studios, Ice Cube and Matt Alvarez’s CubeVision, and Oprah’s Harpo Productions) started to take off, which was a “for us by us” mentality. Let’s take a look at five up-and-coming black film directors who are taking Hollywood by storm as they accurately portray diverse on-screen representations.
Updated April 20, 2023: Diverse voices in the media are important and growing. If you support diversity in the media, you’ll be pleased to hear that this article has been updated by Micah Bailey with additional content.
Kay Oyegun
Talented writer, producer and director Kay Oyegun is best known for her work on the ABC series This is usas well as her writing for OWN’s drama series Queen Sugar. In January 2021, she made her official directorial debut, directing the episode “Birth Mother” for This is us, which led to her directing several additional episodes of the hit series. Paramount recently bought the rights to distribute Oyegun’s script for Assisted living in a feature film; rapper Cardi B is about to debut as the lead actress in the upcoming comedy. Kay, a Nigerian woman, is all about breaking barriers for the next generation of women of color.
Misha Green
Misha Green is best known for her creation of the HBO series Lovecraft country and the series Underground, which focused on the slave trade in the 1850s and the attempts at liberation. Vocal about her taking inspiration from 80s adventure moviesthe producer and director incorporates her interest in contemporary horror films with blood and guts into her own work.
Lovecraft country follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors), his friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollett) and Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) on a road trip across an unforgiving, racially insensitive America in search of Atticus’ missing father. The series is set around segregation in 1950s America and ties in with the famous horror writer and racist HP Lovecraft’s speculated location in the numerous fictional synopsis of his book. When it comes to the violence incorporated into it lovecraft country, Green has been vocalstating that she wanted to give an accurate depiction of what it was like to be a black family in America during this dark period.
although Lovecraft country was canceled by HBO in November (due to Green’s reportedly “toxic work environment,” although no one except James Andrew Miller and his book, Tinderbox: HBO’s relentless pursuit of new boundaries, think so), but HBO and Green are still contracted to work. Meanwhile, Green has signed a multi-year deal with Apple and will make her directorial debut for MGM’s next installment of Tomb Raider, starring Alicia Vikander.
Nia DaCosta
Considered the first African-American woman to make a film debut at number one on its opening weekend, Nia DaCosta has already directed some serious gems, including Small woods And Candyman (2021), not to mention the highly anticipated upcoming movie The miracles. DaCosta’s crime drama Small woods chronicles the story of two sisters who are driven to extreme circumstances when their mother suddenly passes away, leaving them with a week to pay back her mortgage.
Small woods was awarded the Nora Ephron Prize at the Tribeca Film Festival. Her next project, the supernatural slasher remake candy man, unpacks issues related to racial injustice, gentrification, and disdain for black bodies. It was profound to see Nia and fellow writer Jordan Peele bring to the fore the black trauma in America and the generational traditions of exploiting black creatures through gruesome murders, lynch mobs, and other atrocities.
Stephen Bristol
After co-writing and directing the time travel-themed film, See you yesterday, Stephen Bristol has created his own job by being unashamedly himself. The Brooklyn-born filmmaker graduated from Morehouse College & New York University’s Graduate Film Program, Tisch School of the Arts. While attending NYU, he worked under mentor Spike Lee, who has helped Bristol produce previous projects. His 17-minute student thesis, Until yesterday, follows a group of teenage prodigies turned superheroes who spend an inordinate amount of time working on a homemade invention: backpacks that enable time travel.
After screening at a total of 35 film festivals; premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, the short film was picked up by Netflix & HBO, earning a large number of successful reviews. Bristol’s upcoming projects include the adventure-themed film produced by Netflix, Gordon of Hemingway and the realm of Cthulhu, next to trill To breathe by Thunder Road Movies.
Blitz Bazawule
Hip hop musician, filmmaker, novelist and visual artist Blitz Bazawule is a future concept that we will definitely keep on our radar. Born in Ghana, Bazawule wrote and directed his first feature film Kojo’s funeral in 2018, telling the story of Kojo, a man who is left to die in an abandoned gold mine by his hideous brother. Through visions, Kojo’s young daughter Esi sets out on a spiritual quest to save him. The story is wonderfully conveyed and shows the connection between a black father and his daughter.
Bazawule later went on to work with Queen Beyoncé herself, co-directing Beyoncé’s black is king, the 2020 visual album for Disney+. The film was in production for over a year and was shot in six countries and on three continents. Black is king celebrates diversity and heritage and is proud of Blackness identity. The experimentation of music, dance moves, colors in costumes and regal set designs were all implemented to showcase the richness of cultures across Africa. Bazawule is set to direct a remake of the 1985 revolutionary film the color purple, staring actress Taraji P. Henson.
JD Dillard
JD Dillard is perhaps best known for his 2022 movie Dedication. Despite not making much of a splash at the box office, critics reviewed the film positively, citing the performances of Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell as the film’s highlights. In addition to DedicationDillard also wrote and directed the 2016 crime drama magic and the 2019 survival horror movie baby.
Even though it was reported in 2022 that Dillard would send a new one Star Wars project, the current news is that he is no longer associated with such a project. When asked about the film’s status, he simply replied that it was no longer coming to fruition, “although not for lack of trying.” Despite this unfortunate news about a galaxy far, far, away, we’re still excited to see what the filmmaker brings to the big (or small) screen next.
Rada blank
New York’s own Rada blank is living proof that age is nothing but a number. Blank had been a rapper since she was a child and would not see recognition for her art until she was in her 40s. Her 2020 semi-autobiographical film The forty year old version tells the story of a struggling playwright as she navigates the New York art scene. After she refused to focus her films on black pain commissioned by white investors, she reinvents herself as a rapper and tells her life story on her terms.
A story of self discovery, Version was acclaimed by critics and audiences for its heartfelt depiction of dealing with a midlife crisis, adjusting to the challenges of middle age, and not allowing one’s past failures to define their present. With no new projects lined up for Blank at the time of writing, we hope the filmmaker’s next project is as exciting as Version.