In a world where classics like Waiting To Exhale, Eve’s Bayou, Menace II Society, and Fruitvale Station were never nominated for Oscars, taste-makers in the Black community have had to step up to the plate. Washington, D.C. native Agnes Moss seized opportunity and created an initiative to celebrate and cultivate black talent.
Her passion is creating a social movement that is going through great lengths to make sure Black films in particular get the visibility they deserve. Having graduated from North Carolina Central University, Moss created the National Black Movie Association because she understood the impact that representation could have on aspiring talent, youth who need to see successful people who look like them, and the world at large.
As part of the Association’s year-round initiatives to highlight Black film, it’s 2nd annual National Black Movie Day is coming up! All day Saturday February 20, you are encouraged to watch Black films. They may be short films or films as long as Malcolm & Marie! They can be drama, comedy, action, horror, and everything in between.
Although you can watch the films on your own all day, plenty of festivities are lined up to celebrate beginning at 7pm EST! Among them is the announcement of the Reel HBCU Challenge winner. One lucky HBCU student will win a $3,000 scholarship after submitting the best short film depicting the madness that was 2020. Plus, Radio One personality Russ Parr will be hosting a conversation about how Coming To America has contributed to the culture! A special celebrity guest will also be joining the conversation. The event is free and open to the public.
This is all thanks to Agnes Moss, Founder and President of the National Black Movie Association, who decided her team had to go all out— especially to lift spirits dampened by the pandemic. In fact, she has been fulfilled by seeing the hard work of Black actors, directors, writers and more in the entertainment community be recognized, remembered, and shared. Many of them have lost income as a result of COVID-19, and yet they continue to press on to tell our stories.
“Black films amplify our culture and our stories for not only our community, but the entire world,” Moss said. “I created National Black Movie Day as a show of solidarity for the films that matter to our community. We have such a rich legacy in storytelling that educate, inform, and shape our perspectives. From impactful events and extraordinary people who have done amazing things to showcasing our talents and creativity, Black films are critical representations of who we are. It’s my hope that National Black Movie Day will be a day we celebrate the greatness of our storytelling on screen.”To enjoy 2021’s National Black Movie Day event, click here. We’ll see you there.
