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“This year is especially meaningful as we honor the remarkable Lillian Benson, whose career has helped pave the way for so many and whose commitment to mentoring is shaping a new generation of artists.”
— Leslie Fields-Cruz, BPM executive director
“For many filmmakers Sam is a friend, a mentor and a colleague. A career spanning four decades, Sam has edited, directed, and produced a string of award-winning films. He’s mentored countless media makers, and has planted seeds that have inspired many more to express their own independent voice.”
— Leslie Fields-Cruz, BPM executive director
Black Public Media hosted the 2025 PitchBLACK Forum & Awards program on Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday evening, May 1, at the Apollo Stages at the Victoria in Harlem.
Tameka Kee once again served as the PitchBLACK Forum moderator. The Forum’s morning session featured five documentary film pitches. In the afternoon, six immersive projects were pitched. Learn more about the works in competition by clicking through the carousel of film and immersive projects below.
The PitchBLACK Awards program opened with a networking reception followed by a tribute to BPM Trailblazer Lillian E. Benson. As part of the tribute, NPR broadcaster Brittany Luse interviewed Benson about her long and distinguished career. The awards program also included the presentation of this year’s Nonso Christian Ugbode Fellowship and announcements of the PitchBLACK Forum winners. A lively afterparty concluded the festivities.
As part of this year’s PitchBLACK celebration, we hosted a BPM Trailblazer Film Retrospective featuring a curated collection of works by Lillian E. Benson (ACE). The selected films were available for streaming between April 28-May 12. .
