Black Hollywood

The epic story of the actors, writers, directors, and producers who fought for their place on the page, behind the camera and on the screen. From blackface to Black Panther, this series is a definitive chronicle of more than a century of the Black experience in Hollywood and a powerful reexamination of a quintessentially American story – in brilliant color.

A popular icon in the 1980s and 1990s and a genius comedian, Eddie Murphy has never stopped challenging America on its identity issues. Coming back after a 25-year hiatus, the first great Black hero of the cinema appears today as a precursor who revolutionized the image of African Americans and opened many doors for his community.

A unique portrait of how art and activism for black people in film are indivisible from race and cinema.

In 1971, director Melvin Van Peebles turned the figure of the black hero in US cinema upside down with Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song: the story of the making of a seminal movie that initiated the Blaxploitation movement, a short-lived but highly influential sub-genre in the years that followed.

Shot entirely on location in Hollywood in 1984, this feature documentary explores the role of black actors, black directors and the black audience in American movies.

Documentary by Eckhart Schmidt.

The Czar of Black Hollywood is a documentary film chronicling the early life and career of African-American filmmaker Oscar Micheaux (1884-1951). Oscar Micheaux was America's preeminent black filmmaker for three decades, having directed or produced 22 silent movies and 15 talking pictures.The Czar of Black Hollywood uses archival film, photos, illustrations and music to weave a narrative of Micheaux's early life and his production of the first feature length silent film and the first feature length sound motion picture by an African-American.

Issa Rae, Janelle Monae, Aja Naomi King and Yara Shahidi are honored at the 10th annual event, which salutes African-American women in film and TV.

Airing for the second consecutive year, the special will feature exclusive backstage interviews, red-carpet highlights and intimate reflections from some of the most extraordinary African-American women in film and television. Honors at the ninth annual ceremony include powerhouse actress Tracee Ellis Ross (Fierce & Fearless Award); multi-talented producer, director and actress Debbie Allen (Legend Award); and entertainment attorney Nina Shaw (Lincoln Power Award). The event will also include a performance by acclaimed R&B artist Leon Bridges, as well as appearances by Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Nick Cannon, Ryan Coogler, Zendaya and more. This year’s event, held at the famed Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California honors the “The Power of our Presence.”

A collection of historical African American films, produced and directed by the founders of black Hollywood. "Go Down Death" 53:55 "The Blood of Jesus" 56:44

This documentary captures the sounds and images of a nearly forgotten era in film history when African American filmmakers and studios created “race movies” exclusively for black audiences. The best of these films attempted to counter the demeaning stereotypes of black Americans prevalent in the popular culture of the day. About 500 films were produced, yet only about 100 still exist. Filmmaking pioneers like Oscar Micheaux, the Noble brothers, and Spencer Williams, Jr. left a lasting influence on black filmmakers, and inspired generations of audiences who finally saw their own lives reflected on the silver screen.

Louis Gossett Jr. takes viewers through a special documentary celebration of the groundbreaking achievements of African-American performers and their contributions to Hollywood filmmaking. Spectacular film clips, rare behind-the-scenes footage, archival photographs and fascinating interviews chronicle nearly a century of tribulation and triumph. Gazing at the outstanding range of African-American stars on today's movie screens, it is hard to imagine a time when there were no black leading men or women, a time when all of the roles available for people of color were considerably less heroic than they are now. Social progress came in small steps on the silver screen, film by film, for equal visibility and dignity on the silver screen; now it is possible to honor their struggles, their talent and their sacrifices.

The second film, Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood, will be directed by Academy Award nominee Reginald Hudlin and will celebrate Black achievement in the film industry and what it takes for Black male actors to find success in Hollywood, featuring the stories and experiences of Black male actors of the past who paved the way for Foxx, Hart and more.

Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Women in Hollywood celebrates Black achievement in the film industry and what it takes for Black women actors to find success in Hollywood. The film is executive produced by Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett and Academy Award winner Halle Berry, and directed by Shola Lynch and explores and highlights the groundbreaking work of Black women actors of the past who paved the way for Bassett, Berry and so many more.