In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast host Ed Adams speaks with Ikem Chukumerije, one of Hollywood's top real estate agents. We discuss how he got into the business, what are some the myths surrounding the market in LA, and about his agency, The Sports Relocation AgencyBy AAFCA

In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast, Host Ed Adams chats with President and Literary Agent, Gloria Loomis of The Watkins/Loomis Agency about the role of the literary agent, and how they work with their clients to bring their works from print to film and television.By AAFCA

Barbie was one of the biggest movies of 2023 and in this episode, host Ed Adams speaks with fashion and toy designer, Stephen Sumner at MGA Entertainment about the toy business, intellectual properties, and what Barbie the iconic doll and the film so special.By AAFCA

In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast, Host Ed Adams explores the in flight entertainment and connectivity industry with Catherine McDaniel, Lead Content Curator - Movies for Delta Studio.By AAFCA

AAFCA celebrates the Special Achievement TV Vanguard Award winner. Host Ed Adams speaks with President and CEO of Hallmark Media, Wonya Lucas about her amazing career, lessons she's learned throughout her journey and advice she gained from her legendary father Bill Lucas and her uncle Hank Aaron.By AAFCA

AAFCA highlights a Special Achievement award winner. Ed Adams speaks with TriStar Television Executive Vice President, Jennifer Turner about her journey to her role, and her passion project, Mad Cool Community and Fitness.By AAFCA

Season 5 of the AAFCA Podcast kicks off with a discussion about 'The Black Beauty Effect'. This three-part docu-series focuses on the history and impact people of color have had on the cosmetic, hair, and skin care industry. This passion project was a collaboration of producers Andrea Lewis and CJ Faison who helm the project.…

In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast, host Ed Adams speaks with former TMZ host, Van Lathan about his move from Louisiana to Los Angeles, his experiences at TMZ and the many projects he's done since leaving the show, including a new book and an Oscar and AAFCA-winning short, "Two Distant Strangers".By AAFCA

In this episode host Ed Adams speaks with NFL athlete turned filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry about his Academy Award-winning animated short, "Hair Love" and other film and television projects.By AAFCA

In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast, host Ed Adams speaks with Deon Taylor and Ephraim Salaam, two lifelong friends who charted their own, unique paths from sports into the entertainment industry. Deon, left his career in basketball to start his own production company, Hidden Empire Film Group and has written, directed, and produced several films …

In this episode of The AAFCA Podcast, host Ed Adams speaks with architect and designer Kulapat Yantrasast, Creative Director at WHY about the exhibit design contributions for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.By AAFCA

To kick off season four of The AAFCA Podcast, host Ed Adams speaks with NFL great and entertainment multi-hyphenate, Michael Strahan about his career, his motivations, and his company SMAC Entertainment.By AAFCA

Rich Kleiman is not new to the entertainment business. He started out in the music industry working for Jay-Z and RocNation representing several artist in their portfolio and produced his first film – the concert film, “Fade to Black” in 2004. Fast forward to 2016, NBA MVP Kevin Durant and Kleiman start Thirty-Five Ventures, the umbrella company fo…

Stephen Curry may be known as the best shooter in the NBA but in Hollywood he is making headlines for his pitches. Since forming his production company Unanimous Media in 2018, Curry and his business partner Erick Peyton have blazed a path creating uplifting content in film, television, and podcasts. Peyton has literally been creating content most …

Suzan-Lori Parks rose to prominence in the theatrical world when her play, Topdog Underdog won a Pulitzer Prize in 2002. She wrote her first screenplay, “Girl 6” directed by and starring Spike Lee in 1996 and has several film projects to her credit including the adaptation of Richard Wright’s “Native Son” for HBO. For her two recent projects, "Geni…

NBA phenom LeBron James and his Manager/Business partner, Maverick Carter founded SpringHill entertainment in 2007. Their first project, a documentary, “More Than a Game” in 2008 followed James and his Akron, Ohio high school teammates through the ups and downs of high school basketball, and ultimately his journey to fame. Since then, the company –…

Actors Lena Waithe and Naomi Ackie talk about the new season of Netflix's award-winning comedy series, "Master of None." The season focuses on the marriage of Denise (Waithe) and Alicia (Ackie) as their relationship takes a rollercoaster ride when the two decide to conceive. All episodes of season 3 are currently streaming on Netflix.…

As Black Lives Matter stories and "Living while black" surfaced across the United States, people took to the streets in protest. And this chant was said in unison around the world. One of the people who captured this Black Lives Matter movement in the U,K. was photographer Nisan Harriman. Harriman’s took to the street and shared amazing images of f…

Focus groups are an integral part of the studio business. Everything is tested, and I mean everything. Networks test show pilots, movies, trailers, even posters are brought before everyday Janes and Joes so executives can give the thumbs up or thumbs down on the projects in their lineup. This information helps them decide what movies we will see in…

Ava Duverney’s company, ARRAY does more than just produce amazing film. In fact the company distributes independent film and is a resource collective comprised of arts advocacy organizations, volunteers, and donors from around the world with one goal: to amplify films by people of color and women of all kinds. Since its creation in 2010, Array has …

When it comes to capturing the black experience in film only one name comes to mind and that’s Sam Pollard. Pollard has been telling Black and other stories for over thirty years. His first project: "Eyes On the Prize 2: America At the Racial Crossroads" won him an Emmy. Since then he’s produced, directed, and edited so many crucial stories includi…

Hair and makeup is an essential part of how we look at a film. It helps us to visually capture the character – encapsulating the overall look of them and the memorable moments that we see them in. Whether it’s a young woman going on her first date; An African king fighting to save his throne, or a family fighting to survive the unknown. We remember…

When watching a film its easy to pick out the craft of the actors, or the vision of the director. We can even deep dive into the lens of the cinematographer and music composer. But actually when we look at a film the one person we see and don’t see is the film editor. As a journalist, I know first hand how important it is to have an editor put thei…

Music, for most of us, it’s an integral part of our lives. Whether singing along to your favorite jams in your car; or comforting you in times of need. And for film, it’s no different. Film scoring is an integral part of the cinematic process—it’s the undertone that sets the mood and energy for both film and television. To get a good understanding …

If you didn’t know, every lamp, curtain, wall color, car, and fixture is selected by the production designer and team. It can be as small as finding the right rural home in the case of Dark Waters, or building a fictional country and every single element within it in films like Black Panther. Every visual in this exercise was created by production …

In the film "The Obituary of Tunde Johnson," the audience is exposed to final day in the life of a young, middle class, Nigerian American man, coping with the issues that affect his movements leading up to his death. But the film flips the script and Tunde must relive this tragedy over and over again. This "reset" theme is not uncommon in Hollywood…

When it comes to who’s who in Hollywood, there is one producer that comes to mind – Debra Martin Chase. Debra is one of the most successful producers in the business with a filmography of box office wins for over 20 years. Films like “Courage Under Fire”, “Just Wright”, and “The Princess Diaries along with TV film phenoms like “The Cheetah Girl” fr…

Imagine if you will, you are watching kids shows on television with your children and after a while you notice something is missing. You don’t see a lot of girls in kids programming. So, you start counting, and quickly realize kids programming lacks representation. You continue your research only to discover this omission of inclusion is consistent…

“The Burial of Kojo” is an independent film that has critics buzzing around the world. It is also a New York Times critics pick, and will be available for streaming on Netflix starting March 31st. The film is a story of two Ghanaian brothers, wrapped in an intricate dance of revenge, remorse, survival, and hope. This film is a visual spectacle full…

When we think of silent film, it is easy to point out the works of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Erich Von Stroheim, and DW Griffith. Their collected work delighted audiences around the country and helped shape the story and spirit of America From a white male point of view that is. In this episode we speak with producer, Bret Wood on his two col…

"What Men Want" is not a sequel but it is loosely based on the film “What Women Want” from 2000 that starred Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt. In that version, Nick, played by Gibson, is a chauvinistic ad executive who is struck by electricity and gains the ability to hear what women think. But In this smart, updated, and more diverse version, it’s the wo…

This episode Ed Adams wraps up the year with a discussion about the phenomenal year in film for people of color with AAFCA co-founders Gil Robertson and Shawn Edwards. We also breakdown the winners of the 10th annual AAFCA Awards celebrating the best performances and films of the year. The AAFCA Awards gala will take place on Wednesday, February 6t…

In this episode of the AAFCA Podcast, host Ed Adams speaks with George Tillman, Jr. producer and director of the film, “The Hate U Give.” Tillman has been writing, directing, and producing stories about the black experience for over a decade. His body of work includes both film and television with notable box office hits like “Soul Food” and the “B…

In this episode President and co-founder of AAFCA, Gil Robertson talks to writer and director Barry Jenkins about his latest film, "If Beale Street Could Talk." Gil also talks to cast members of the film including Kiki Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, and Colman Domingo. "If Beale Street Could Talk" is an adaptation of the book of the same name b…

In this episode Ed Adams talks to Bob Raines, executive director of the Tennessee Entertainment Commission about their office and how they entice studios to produce their projects in the Volunteer state. He also speaks with Jamal Munnerlyn, co-head of the new studio GigBox on their decision to locate their state-of-the-art facility in Chattanooga, …

In this episode of the AAFCA podcast Ed Adams wants to know if Hollywood is ready for more comic book-based franchises—only this time from Black-owned comic book creators. Comic book movies amassed a whopping $5.6 billion dollars for the industry in 2018 alone and it seems like every studio is getting into the game. To get answers Ed speaks with le…

Long before Oprah and Arsenio Hall there was Ellis Haizlip, host of the television show "Soul!" on public television. Ed Adams speaks with niece and film director Melissa Haizsip about her documentary "Mr. Soul!" and the legacy of her late uncle and the impact his show made in American pop culture.By Edward Adams

AAFCA member and host, Edward Adams chats with Ronda Racha Penrice how identity is represented in the film "Nappily Ever After" currently streaming on Netflix. The film stars Sanaa Lathan as an ad executive whose life takes a turn when her perfect life and hair go off track.By Edward Adams