WASHINGTON- Howard University has trained a multitude of creatives who have succeeded in the arts and entertainment industries. The Master of Fine Arts in Film program is part of the reason graduates like Jenn Nkiru, Hans Charles and Bradford Young have excelled in the film industry. While the nation searches for safe alternatives to traveling this Memorial Day Weekend, Director of the MFA in Film Program, Montré Missouri, Ph.D., shares a curated list of 15 films and documentaries by Bison cinematographers, producers, writers and more which the world should become familiar with
“Howard’s MFA film alumni are known for their award-winning works presented in prestigious film festivals, on major streaming platforms and in theaters around the world,” said Missouri. “The program focuses on various aspects of independent filmmaking along with emphasizing the unique role of film towards informing our world and our cultural identities. We are also proud that our Bison extend a hand back and collaborate to produce phenomenal content.”
The Howard University MFA in Film Program is the only graduate film program at a historically black college or university (HBCU). For more than 30 years, it has provided students with a foundation in film production and film theory from an international perspective.
Missouri’s Film List:
72 Hours: A Brooklyn Love Story
About: A film directed by Raafi Rivero features a restless and ambitious, 18-year-old Caesar Winslow, who has been accepted into a prestigious university. Torn by a desire to experience a new life and fear of leaving home, Caesar has 72 hours to decide whether he should stay or go.
About: Mike Anderson is a senior at the quintessential New-England liberal arts school, Frost College. And Mike is eight weeks away from graduation. On this particular day he has his African-American Literature class with his favorite professor. But today, Mike is feeling sadness. He's feeling isolated. He's feeling angry. This film is produced and directed by Menelik Lumumba, streaming June 1.
About: Alumni Bradford Young and Jenn Nkiru offer jazz artist Kamasi Washington AS TOLD TO G/D THYSELF, a short film featuring songs from his 2018 album “Heaven and Earth.”
Awakening: The Visual EP for Cecily
About: A beautiful love story is told through this visual album directed by MFA in Film alum, Torell Shavone.
About: Black to Techno, directed by alumna Jenn Nkiru, excavates and explores the unique and total nature of the circumstances that birthed the movement: touching on everything from Detroit’s heritage as the home of Fordist automation and the rhythm of the production line, to the influence of the Motown artists, and the city’s groundbreaking icon, Aretha Franklin. Embedded in black, working and middle class experience, it became an expression of revolutionary hope and optimism. Nkiru is also known for her work as the second unit director of Ricky Saiz’s video for Beyoncé.
About: For years Daniel has rationalized his internal conflict by remembering what life was like before working for the town's corrupt mayor, John Behr. But now, Daniel's best friend Tommy has had enough and refuses to pay anymore 'protection money.' Now Daniel must choose, either risk his life by saving his best friend or side with his employer and do the only thing that he's good at. This film is directed by Dewey Ortiz.
About: Kwame, a fatherless young boy who dreams of having a loving dad, meets his long-lost father, and discovers even a nightmare can have a happy ending. This short drama is directed by alumnus Patrick James Thomas.
About: Hip-hop legend Fab 5 Freddy directs and narrates this documentary featuring Snoop Dogg, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and more. Cinematography by alumnus Hans Charles.
About: An exploration of the relationship between jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan and his common-law wife, Helen, who was implicated in his murder in 1972. This is available for viewing on Netflix and Amazon Video. Cinematography by Bradford Young.
About: As cities around the world catapult themselves into ‘world-class city status’, we have to ask ourselves, “at what cost”? Not in My Neigbourhood tells the intergenerational stories of spatial violence in three self-professed world-class cities: Cape Town, New York and São Paulo. This award-winning film, produced by alumna Najma Nuriddin, aims to build solidarity among active urban citizens by illuminating the tools and approaches used by urban activists to shape and navigate their cities that have been affected by colonization, architectural apartheid and gentrification.
About: A female veteran isolates herself in a small town, only to be reminded of a horrific incident that occurred within the ranks and the betrayal that follows. This is directed by Jami Ramberan, an alumna of the MFA program and an assistant professor within it.
About: A young Han Solo tries to settle an old score with the help of his new buddy Chewbacca, a crew of space smugglers and a cunning old friend. Cinematography by Bradford Young.
About: Combining archival footage with testimony from activists and scholars, director Ava DuVernay's examination of the U.S. prison system looks at how the country's history of racial inequality drives the high rate of incarceration in America. This piercing, Oscar-nominated film won Best Documentary at the Emmys, the BAFTAs and the NAACP Image Awards. Cinematography by alumnus Hans Charles.
About: The show follows real-life Pantsula dancers on their daily grind, led by a disgruntled former dancer, Mafred, played exceptionally well by Warren Masemola. Dance is what keeps this impoverished community sane. But in season two, dance is banned, putting this very sanity to the test. This South African award-winning series is produced by Lodi Matsetela.
About: IssaRaePresents #ShortFilmSundays shared the short film of a heartbroken composer takes a vow of silence to win back the heart of her ex-girlfriend. Vow of Silence features an original score directed by Be Steadwell.
About: Five teens from Harlem become trapped in a nightmare when they're falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park. Based on the true story. Cinematography by alumnus Bradford Young.
About: This limited docuseries looks back on the group's career, combining intimate and reflective interviews from each of the nine living members with never-before-seen archival footage and performances. Their ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit brought them together to overcome the poverty, violence and oppression of their New York neighborhoods. But it was music and their shared lyrical genius that allowed them to form the most recognized musical movement in the world, all while walking the tightrope that links business with brotherhood. Cinematography by alumnus Hans Charles.
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(Featured Photo: Howard University MFA production in kitchen setting - credit: Meagan Sims; above photo: Howard University MFA Film students in production - credit: Desiree Lee )
About Howard University
Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 70 Fulbright Scholars. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu
Media Contact: Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu
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