“History Half Told is Untold” (Screening w/ Q&A)
“History Half Told is Untold.”, winner Best Historical Feature, Virginia Black Film Festival 2024. This award-winning film is an in-depth look into the history of First Baptist Church, the oldest continuously active African American church in the United States, located in Williamsburg, VA. A story 245 years in the making, “History Half Told is Untold” features some of the church’s famous visitors, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and more recently, former President Barack Obama. The film was produced by William & Mary students under the direction of Isaac Davis for the Let Freedom Ring Foundation.
“Rise of the Legion” (Screening w/ Q&A)
Adrian Woodard Jr. is an EMMY nominated and Film festival award winning Writer and Director. “Rise of the Legion” is an award-winning documentary showcases the history and cultural impact of the Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band, founded in 1975. The film, directed by Adrian Woodard Sr and Adrian Woodard Jr, explores the band’s evolution from its beginnings to its status as a major cultural force today, coinciding with the band’s 50th anniversary.
Film Distribution: Case Study – “Return of the Mack”
Bryan G Thompson has produced, directed, and negotiated distribution for 13 feature-length films. Founder of the Virginia Black Film Festival and, previously, the Miami Web Series Festival, he shares his perspectives on the direction of the industry and tips for modern independent filmmakers, using VBFF Winner “Best in Fest 2025” as a case study. “Return of the Mack” stars DeJuan Ford and features Clifton Powell, Doug E Fresh, Cody Fox, Mike Bonner, and Ebony Tates. Shortly after the festival, ROTM secured a major distribution deal for both theatrical and streaming. Thompson explores how they did it and how emerging filmmakers can navigate the modern international film market to achieve commercial success.
Screen Combat for Television and Film
Willie “The Bam” Johnson is a graduate of the Beijing Physical Culture Institute of China, Johnson has nearly 40 years of training in the martial arts. He has appeared in four films, including Super Fights and Major League II, 16 stage plays, 11 television shows, and two videos. He has also had more than 30 articles published in leading martial arts magazines and been featured on the cover of Black Belt Magazine, Karate/Kung Fu Illustrated, and Martial Arts Training. Johnson was the action designer of the 2025 film “Blowback” (starring Clifton Powell), in which he also plays two different characters. The film is an Official Selection at the Charlotte Black Film Festival, Toledo (Spain) Action Film Festival. A seven-time sport karate and kung fu world champion and two-time All-American champion, “The Bam” is the creator of Wushudo Universal Martial Arts. “The Bam” is widely known for starring as himself on the WMAC Masters television show and Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes.
Displaced from the Birthplace of America (Screening w/ Q&A)
The film highlights the Historic Triangle Block, a Black business district and surrounding community in Williamsburg, VA, that was displaced under the auspices of “urban renewal” in the 1970s. Centering displaced families as storytellers, this project moves with love — a sacred act of remembrance, honoring the tight- knit community of residents and business owners who once sustained Black life and culture.
Entertainment Law for Filmmakers and Actors
Kirk T. Schroder is an experienced entertainment and arts law attorney. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for the field of entertainment law and is currently rated an “AV Preeminent” lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for lawyers. * Kirk’s national peers in the entertainment and sports law profession elected him the current chair of the American Bar Association’s Entertainment and Sports Law Section. His law practice draws entertainment and arts-related clients from around the world.
Acting for Film; Breaking into the Industry
Antonio Charity’s TV credits include appearances on “Charmed”, “House”, “The Shield”, “Law & Order”, “All My Children”, “Nip/Tuck”, “True Blood”, “Southland”, “Medium”, “Numb3rs”, “Bones”, “Sons of Anarchy”, “Shameless”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “NCIS: Los Angeles” and many others, including recurring roles on HBO’s “The Wire”, Showtime’s “House of Lies”, Comedy Central’s “Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn”, Amazon’s “Bosch” and “Get Shorty” on Epix. He has also appeared in made-for-TV movies on Lifetime (“Carnal Innocence”, starring Gabrielle Anwar and Colin Egglesfield), HBO (“Something the Lord Made” with Mos Def and Alan Rickman), SYFY (“Hydra”) and NBC (“The Prosecutors”).
“Food for the Soul” (Screening w/ Q&A)
Food for the Soul features stars Marcus Scribner (Black-ish) and Karen Obilom (Games People Play). It is a powerful story that explores the beauty, challenges, and resilience of Black love through a comedic lens. As cultures clash and insufferable parents meddle, a first generation Nigerian American and her Black American boyfriend must decide between being true to themselves or trying to live up to their families’ expectations…a risk to their happily ever after.
DAPHNE MAXWELL REID; INSIGHTS FROM AN INDUSTRY ICON
Daphne Maxwell Reid has done it all! Known for her role at ”Aunt Viv” in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, she has appeared in major roles in 30 tv shows and films, including Harriet (2018), Fresh Prince of BelAir (1993-96), The Business of Christmas (2020) Frank’s Place (1987-88), Linc’s (1998-99), Simon & Simon (1983-87), Let’s Stay Together (2011-14), Murder She Wrote (1988), The Cosby Show (1992), The A Team (1983-85), Snoops (1989), Hill Street Blues (1981-86), Jacqueline & Jilly (2018-2019). She was the first Black woman to be featured on the cover of Glamour magazine and the first Black beauty queen at Northwestern University. In this event, she shares her unique and valuable insights about the industry and what the next generation of creatives can learn from her spectacular journey.
VBFF AWARDS GALA
This is the culminating event of the Virginia Black Film Festival (VBFF), as star-studded event with live entertainment, celebrity guests, and awards for filmmakers in multiple categories, with sub-categories that include student films, international films, and historically significant films. The theme of the event is “Black Excellence; Past, Present, & Future” part of the city’s celebration of Black History Month and VA250.
THE COMMONWEALTH ON CAMERA
The Walking Dead, Homeland, Dopesick, Harriet, War of the Worlds, Cold Mountain, Mission Impossible, National Treasure, Silence of the Lamb, and Transformers are just a hand full of examples of major Hollywood films produced in Virginia. Hundreds of independently produced films are made in Virginia each year as well!
Whether you’re a filmmaker breaking into the business or an investor capitalizing on emerging opportunities, the Virginia Production Alliance is a great opportunity to connect with this industry for meaningful business opportunities!
“Old Dominion, New Vision; The Commonwealth on Camera” will feature members of this prestigious organization along with cast and crew from some of the most iconic films produced in the state and the most popular emerging content. They will discuss the ways in which the changing film industry is still creating opportunities and how to find and capitalize on those opportunities.