Our Makers Are Crushing It!

The summer film festival season is in full swing and BPM is pleased to see several of the films it has supported in the mix. Whether you’re at BlackStar in Philadelphia; the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival in Oak Bluffs, Mass; or Harlem Week, in NYC; you’re guaranteed to find at least one film that’s come to fruition with help from BPM. Even if you aren’t attending any of these events, BPM-supported films including Listen to Me, and This World is Not My Own can be found streaming online and airing on television this summer. Fact is, our makers are crushing it! They’re everywhere, and we couldn’t be more proud.

One down side to being behind-the-scenes players in the media business is that the viewing public is often oblivious to the essential role we play in ensuring Black stories not only get made, but get distributed. We’re elated to see so many of the media makers whose work we’re supporting get showcased at this summer’s festivals. But we need your help in letting folks know that these stories might not be available without the assistance they receive from Black Public Media and its partner organizations.

Help Us Spread the Word

Last summer’s devastating cessation of federal funding to public media has required us to diversify and expand our support from private individuals, nonprofit philanthropies. We’re deeply appreciative of all who’ve responded to our invitation for financial support. Still, we must continue to widen our donor base.

Here’s how you can help: if you attend one of these summer film festivals, make sure to tell others about what Black Public Media does for you, your media-making friends and for the wider viewing public. When every one of the 1.8 million donors we seek understands our value and commits to giving at least $5 annually to our Black Media Stories Production Fund campaign, we’ll have enough to continue this work for decades to come. With your help, we’ve already made significant progress. And we’re just getting started.

Banner image of Listen to Me filmmakers courtesy of the makers.