Why Black Political Documentaries Matter
OCTOBER 1, 2024 BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA WEEKLY DISPATCH By Leslie Fields-Cruz Last Friday, I moderated a post-screening Q&A at DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema in New York City. The occasion reminded me why Black political documentaries matter. Filmmakers Dawne Langford and Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough were there to discuss their latest film, The Body Politic, which airs […]
Five Keys to a Strong Open Call Submission
BPM’s Open Call deadline is approaching. This week’s blog discusses the elements we look for in competitive submissions.
Explore the Black Sides of Hispanic Heritage Month
SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA WEEKLY DISPATCH By Leslie Fields-Cruz Last month, perhaps in anticipation of Hispanic Heritage Month (which began a couple of days ago), the U.S. mint debuted its latest coin in its American Women Quarters series. The coin features an engraving of music legend Celia Cruz on the tail side with […]
This Fall, BE HEARD!
SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA WEEKLY DISPATCH By Leslie Fields-Cruz Happy Fall! If you read last week’s Weekly Dispatch by my colleague Denise Greene, you know that we are in the midst of our latest BE HEARD social media campaign, #ShopLikeNana. Stream it on our TikTok and Instagram channels. You’ll also find it on […]
Save the Planet, ‘#ShopLikeNana’
BPM’s latest BE HEARD campaign, #ShopLikeNana, highlights planet-friendly alternatives to fast fashion.
Are You Ready for BPM’s Open Call?
AUGUST 27 BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA WEEKLY DISPATCH By Denise Greene I always look forward to the end of summer because for me and the rest of the BPM programming team it signals the start of a new year. September is when we issue BPM’s Open Call. This year, the submissions portal will open on Sept. […]
Nurturing Young Talent
I am a living example of what can happen when organizations commit to nurturing young talent. When I first came to BPM in 2001, I was …
Black August: Remembering Black Freedom Fighters
Black August is a time for us to commemorate Black freedom fighters, political prisoners, and resistance against oppression and inequality.
Why We Support BlackStar
JULY 30, 2024 BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA WEEKLY DISPATCH By Leslie Fields-Cruz The BlackStar Film Festival is celebrating its 13th season this week. Running Aug. 1-4 in downtown Philadelphia, the slate includes dozens of indie film screenings – both narrative and documentary – panel discussions, virtual screenings, and several social gatherings. BPM’s director of programs, Denise […]
Seeing ‘The Forgotten Ones’
July is off to a hot and steamy start … I’m prompted to remember the forgotten ones who, for a variety of reasons, live outdoors.