There was once the great Josephine Baker, then a 1970’s era of Blaxploitation, and later Spike Lee, Robert Townsend, John Singleton, The Hughes Brothers, and others. The challenges of Black filmmakers were barriers that many felt were unbearable but Black audiences demanded to see their stories and many of those stories were shared. At what cost to the culture have Hollywood allowed specific stories to be shared in American Cinema? Panelists will discuss these challenges and what may be available to minimize those challenges. Is it independence or is it “play ball?”

Free Admission - Passholders has priority seating but the panels are free for everyone.