Black Notebooks

Fieldwork Footage

January 1928 •English

Under the tutelage of anthropologist Franz Boas (her former Columbia professor) and Harlem Renaissance arts patron Charlotte Osgood Mason, Zora Neale Hurston spent nearly two years, from 1927 to 1929, studying the folkloric customs, work songs, spirituals, and vernacular language of African American communities along the River Road and from New Orleans to Florida.

Sala de Roteiristas

August 2019 •Portuguese

What is the difference between a story and a good story? In this short documentary, ten of the greatest screenwriters in Brazil answer this and other questions, guiding us through the universe of creative writing and all its possibilities.

Niños del paraíso

January 2000 •Spanish

In the Juan Fernández Archipelago, 700 kilometers from the central coast of Chile, is Robinson Crusoe Island. There, a group of children who are in their last year of primary school will soon graduate, leaving the island where they learned to live.

Return

February 2023 •Spanish

Documentary about emigration between the Canary Islands and Cuba during the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Look Closer: The Rise and Fall of Robert Benfer

December 2018 •English

In 2013, online clay animator Robert Benfer scammed hundreds of fans out of thousands of dollars and has continued to become less of the independent film icon he used to be, though his unique influence on video creators remains to this day. This film not only sheds light on how Benfer's films impacted young filmmakers, but also how a talented independent artist can fall from grace no matter how obscure they are.

Alexa Boulton: Cinema

January 2023 •French

Alexa Boulton interviews the students and teachers of Kelvin High School to uncover the possibilities for the future of cinema

Nothing As It Seems: The Films of Nicolas Roeg

January 1982 •English

Documentary on Nicolas Roeg

Raising Bertie

June 2017 •English

Raising Bertie is a longitudinal documentary feature following three young African American boys over the course of six years as they grow into adulthood in Bertie County, a rural African American-led community in Eastern North Carolina. Through the intimate portrayal of these boys, this powerful vérité film offers a rare in-depth look at the issues facing America's rural youth and the complex relationships between generational poverty, educational equity, and race. The evocative result is an experience that encourages us to recognize the value and complexity in lives all too often ignored.

No Country For Young Men

May 2022 •Italian

A retired bricklayer wants his grandson, who lives hundreds of miles away, to stay with him. Will he convince the young man despite the lack of opportunities in the country?

Dents Meadow: The Final Days of John Wilkes Booth

August 2020 •English

This short documentary follows historian Kate Taylor as she recounts John Wilkes Booth's final attempt to escape across the Potomac River.

Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty

October 2020 •French

The whole world knows him. Burlesque comedy genius, popular actor, author, director, producer, composer, choreographer, Charlie Chaplin (1899-1977) used his talent to serve an ideal of justice and freedom. But his best scenario was his own destiny, a story written into the political and artistic history of the 20th century.

Promises to the Future

May 2020 •English

As the filmmaker pursues a creative career, she goes looking for others in similar positions to explore what her decision entails. Mixing experimental art and documentary film, the work explores the real and imaginary boundaries of creativity.

Namibia: A Change of Perspective

September 2024 •English

Tread

February 2020 •English

Pushed to his breaking point, a master welder in a small town at the foot of the Rocky Mountains quietly fortifies a bulldozer with 30 tons of concrete and steel and seeks to destroy those he believes have wronged him.

Anima Mea

September 2022 •English

When Mariana connects the Military Dictatorship's violent legacy as the structure behind Brazilian families, she embarks on an introspective journey to deconstruct her family life growing up in Brazil.

Una festa per la città - Venezia 1973

June 2023 •Italian

One Book at a Time

July 2020 •English

Sarah Kamya is a school counselor in New York City. She began the project Little Diverse Libraries on June 3rd and has already raised over $13,000, supported black owned bookstores, and has distributed 775 books to Little Free Libraries across all 50 states. Sarah is helping educate communities while most importantly amplifying and empowering black voices.

The Blackwell Ghost 5

October 2020 •English

In this 5th installment of "The Blackwell Ghost" series, the ghost hunting filmmaker returns to the "Lightfoot House" where he hopes to solve a newly discovered puzzle which may lead to the location of more undiscovered victims.

The Neverending Party

January 2023 •French

A look-back at popular French movie "La Boum" (The Party).

Barbarella Forever

March 2023 •English

"Get a never-before-seen look behind the scenes of the making of the sexy and swinging sci-fi Cult classic, Barbarella, in Barbarella Forever. In Barbarella, sixties icon Jane Fonda starred as the saucy astronaut from the 41st century sent to stop an evil scientist and Barbarella Forever features footage of Fonda at work and play during shooting. Gain an insight into the creation of the film’s legendary hand-to-hand sex scene, as well as Fonda and co-star David Hemmings’ processes and working relationship, plus, an insight into the film’s suave French director Roger Vadim. This candid featurette is a snapshot of on and off-set life in groovy 1967 and an unforgettable time capsule capturing a film, and way of filmmaking, that they don’t make like this anymore!"