Pictured: 2019 Fellowship Recipient Jamey Hatley

BLACK FILMMAKER FELLOWSHIP FOR SCREENWRITING

NOTE: Fellowship available only for Memphis residents.

The Indie Memphis Black Filmmaker Fellowship in Screenwriting supported by the Remembering George Riley Fund is an opportunity for Memphis-based artists in filmmaking to develop bold storytelling, explore their own professional development, and connect with fellow writers, artists, and other industry professionals in Memphis. 

The fellowship supports one narrative feature film project deemed the most original, daring, intelligent, emotionally resonant, and realistic to produce. Previous fellows have included talented writers and artists such as Jamey Hatley (staff writer on Season 2 of P-Valley), Zaire Love, and Amanzi Arnett.

Stay plugged in with our Indie Memphis newsletter and/or Black Creators Forum newsletter for news about 2024 applications.


2023 FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT

In solidarity and consideration with the current WGA strike, the Residency and Fellowship will be divided in two parts, with peer-to-peer mentorship first, and with industry advice taking place after the strike is resolved.

BRITTNEY WILLIAMS (she/her/hers)
FROZEN GRIEF

Two brothers, Nathan and Stephen, bring their sons on an annual fishing trip and are thrust into the unimaginable chaos of anxiety and loss when their boys seemingly vanish without a trace. When only one son is found, the desperation of a parent without closure is explored.

  • Brittney Williams, a born and raised Memphian, is a lifelong writer and daydreamer. Having dabbled in most facets of filmmaking, she continues to return to her true passion of screenwriting by creating worlds and characters to tell dramatic, and sometimes a bit scary, stories.

    Brittney relies on her sarcastic, dry wit, love of classic camp horror, and intrigue in folk tales as a foundation for her genre-blending stories. Having called it “free therapy”, she often morphs her feelings into metaphorical “monsters” the chaotic-good hero can defeat. As she continues to grow as a writer, she hopes to find her niche audience and provide as much quality fan service as possible.

I found myself wanting to see so much more. I think it nails the suspenseful thriller it aims to be while at the same time painting a realistic vision of life.”
— 2023 Fellowship Juror and Director Elegance Bratton

2023 FELLOWSHIP FINALISTS

KEVIN BROOKS (he/him/his)
WHISPERS OF THE SOUL

In the wake of personal heartache, a grieving black woman embarks on a soul-stirring odyssey through an Ayahuascan retreat, seeking solace and transformation within its mystical embrace.

  • Kevin Brooks, a highly accomplished and award-winning 29-year-old filmmaker hailing from Memphis, TN, is a formidable force dedicated to telling powerful stories about the human experience. In 2016, he graduated with a degree in Film/TV Production from the esteemed University of Memphis, where he was not only honored with the Creative Dean's Achievement award within the film program but also recognized as an extraordinary talent poised to make his mark on the industry.

    Kevin's exceptional talent and unwavering dedication garnered global recognition when he was handpicked as one of the top five filmmakers worldwide to participate in the prestigious Sundance Ignite Program in 2016. This exclusive and highly selective program serves as a catalyst for the most promising emerging voices in filmmaking, solidifying Kevin's status among the elite of the industry and signaling his unparalleled potential to create meaningful change through his craft.

    Continuing his remarkable journey, Kevin's extraordinary skills earned him acceptance into the renowned NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth) for three consecutive years. As a platform that celebrates the creativity and vision of emerging filmmakers aged 18-25, NFFTY provided Kevin with an invaluable opportunity to showcase his distinctive perspective on the black experience and further establish himself as an extraordinary talent in the industry.

    In 2017, Kevin's immense talent propelled him to become a semi-finalist for the highly competitive Warner Bros Director's Workshop, a testament to his exceptional abilities and groundbreaking storytelling approach. The same year, his outstanding work was celebrated at the Adobe Max Conference in San Diego, where he was honored for his contributions to the art of filmmaking through his collaboration with Sundance.

    Kevin's relentless commitment to his craft extends beyond personal achievements. As the youngest member ever to hold a position on the Film Commission board, he actively contributes to the growth and development of the filmmaking community. Additionally, he selflessly dedicates his time and expertise to mentoring aspiring youth filmmakers.

    With an impressive portfolio of groundbreaking projects, Kevin has directed award-winning films that capture the essence of the black experience. Notably, his work on "A Night Out" secured him the prestigious Memphis Film Prize Award in 2019, marking his second win after triumphing with "Last Day" the previous year. Kevin's versatility shines through as he has successfully taken on diverse projects, including serving as Assistant to the executive producer on the highly anticipated NBC show "Bluff City Law" in 2019. Moreover, in 2021, he directed two National TV commercials and associated social media video content for McDonald's, powerfully spotlighting the significance of Black History Month with the involvement of the remarkable Keke Palmer.

    Among his recent accomplishments, Kevin's unwavering commitment to telling stories about the black experience led him to win Best Music Video at Indie Memphis for the powerful piece "Healing Creek" by Taliban Safiyah. Moreover, he directed a groundbreaking series documenting the profound impact of black gamers on the world of E-gaming in 2022, shedding light on their unique narratives and contributions.

    Kevin Brooks is propelled by an unwavering passion to make a profound difference through his filmmaking. His ultimate goal is to create compelling, insightful, and entertaining stories that not only captivate audiences but also push society forward. With a commanding presence in the industry, an unyielding dedication to his craft, and a string of accomplishments, Kevin Brooks stands as a gamechanger, an influential force, and a transformative voice in the world of filmmaking, unapologetically shaping narratives that celebrate and illuminate the rich tapestry of the black experience.

 

NAKEYAH DAE (she/her/hers)
CHOSEN BY RANDOM

A late night diner becomes a fortress for four people against a deranged serial killer on his night of chaos.

  • Nakeyah Dae has been watching films ever since she could understand what they were saying, but horror was the genre that led her to the path she’s on now. Horror films are the cause of what truly allowed her to invest in the story of every character on screen, asking questions like “Would they live till the end?” She feels like it was a coincidence that horror caught her eye but doesn’t regret it because it’s what got her here and made her realize how much she truly loves film and how much she wants to create stories regardless of how she partakes in that happening.


2023 FELLOWSHIP JURY

For 2023, Indie Memphis had the honor of working with the director/producer duo of Elegance Bratton and Chester Algernal Gordon as our judges for this year's Black Filmmaker Screenwriting Fellowship! Through their artistic collaboration, Elegance and Chester have produced Indie Memphis alumni films PIER KIDS and THE INSPECTION (Centerpiece Film for #IMFF22).

They join previous judges (Barry Jenkins, Boots Riley, and Numa Perrier) in selecting two Black filmmakers as the recipients of our National Residency and Memphis Fellowship to develop their screenplay and connect with fellow writers, artists, and other industry professionals in Memphis.

(photo credit: Michael Rowe)

  • Elegance Bratton is an award-winning and boundary-breaking director, writer and producer. He began making films as a US Marine after spending a decade homeless. His work captures stories untold with an intention to show the universal power of our shared humanity. Bratton’s films have played in over 200 film festivals worldwide including the New York Film Festival, Toronto, Sundance, Outfest, BFI, Doc NYC, and the BlackStar Film Festival. He was recently named one of VARIETY’s 10 Directors to Watch for 2023.

    Bratton made his television debut as the creator and executive producer of Viceland’s MY HOUSE. The series, which chronicled underground competitive ballroom dancing, was nominated for Outstanding Documentary at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards.

    In 2021, Bratton’s critically-acclaimed feature documentary, PIER KIDS, won the Independent Spirit Awards’ Truer Than Fiction Award, which is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. PIER KIDS explores the lives of Black, homeless queer and transgender youth in New York.

    THE INSPECTION, his semi-autobiographical narrative fiction debut, world premiered as the opening night film of the Toronto International Film Festival Discovery section and was the closing night film of the New York Film Festival. The critically-acclaimed A24 film centers around a young homeless gay man who joins the Marine Corps to win back his mother’s love, but learns how to respect himself at bootcamp. The film won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture and has garnered numerous award nominations including from the Golden Globes, Gothams, and Film Independent Spirit Awards.

    Bratton is currently in post-production on the upcoming feature documentary, HELLFIGHTERS, which highlights the story of African American Jazz pioneer and music mogul James Reese Europe, who was a lieutenant in the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters.

    Bratton also co-runs the production company, Freedom Principle, alongside his producing partner, Chester Algernal Gordon.

    He was a Sundance 2020 Native Lab mentor and a 2022 Outfest Screenwriting Lab mentor. Bratton holds a BS from Columbia University (2014) and MFA from NYU Tisch Graduate Film (2019).

    He and his partner live in Baltimore.

(photo credit: Erik Umphrey)

  • Chester Algernal Gordon is a producer, costume designer and stylist with a passion for making powerful stories that capture the imagination and inspire. They began working in film production in 2016, and since then Gordon has costumed three Lionsgate feature films, 17 short films, and has produced award-winning films that have played in festivals worldwide including the New York Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, BFI, Outfest, Reykjavik International Film Festival and New Orleans Film Festival. Gordon’s latest film, Elegance Bratton’s critically-acclaimed THE INSPECTION, starring Jeremy Pope and Gabrielle Union, released in theaters on November 18. The A24 film centers around a young homeless gay man who joins the Marine Corps to win back his mother’s love, but learns how to respect himself at bootcamp. The film has garnered numerous award nominations including from the Golden Globes, Gothams, and Film Independent Spirit Awards. Gordon co-runs the production company, Freedom Principle, alongside Bratton.

    Gordon has produced numerous acclaimed short films and the 2019 feature documentary, PIER KIDS, which won a Truer Than Fiction award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, Best Poster Design award at the Indie Memphis Film Festival, the Jury Prize at the Sarasota Film Festival, amongst other accolades. They are currently in post-production on the upcoming feature documentary, HELLFIGHTERS, which highlights the story of African American Jazz pioneer and music mogul James Reese Europe, who was a lieutenant in the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters.

    This self-taught Maryland native expertly straddles the world of high fashion and film. They were a producer for the MIPCOM 2018 winner, GLAAD-nominated documentary TV series MY HOUSE for Viceland. Gordon’s short, -SHIP: A VISUAL POEM, won best US narrative short at Sundance Film Festival 2020. They were named the winner of the Tribeca Film Institute’s 2019 TFI All Access Grant and TFI Pond5 Program and was a 2019 Film Independent Producing Lab & Fast Track Lab fellow. Their work as a stylist has been published in magazines such as Glamour, Galore, Esquire, and many others and they have worked with noted photographers Mick Rock and Pari Dukovic.


WHAT IS PROVIDED:

  1. $7,500 of unrestricted cash to assist with time off work, rent, food, or directly towards the project

  2. Periodically meeting with advisors and filmmakers experienced with shooting in Memphis and beyond

  3. Location and production advice from the Memphis & Shelby County Film/TV Commission

RULES AND ELIGIBILITY:

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 

  • Applications are open to any filmmaker and/or screenwriter that is a United States citizen of African descent currently residing in the Greater Memphis Metro area (Shelby, DeSoto, Crittenden, Tipton, Fayette, Marshall, and/or Mississippi counties).

  • Applicant may be either an emerging or established screenwriter. The applicant must show how this fellowship will be unique and beneficial to the development of their project and career.

  • The fellow is expected to focus on writing their feature film screenplay and developing their project during the two-month period.

  • If selected, the fellow must provide their own computer and script-writing software.

  • The fellow must agree to make every attempt that a majority of the movie be filmed in the Greater Memphis area, if produced. While we do strongly appreciate projects that have the intention of being produced in our region, it is not a requirement of the fellowship.

  • Only one submission per applicant will be accepted.

  • Only one screenwriter will be accepted into the fellowship.

  • Adaptations are eligible, but the applicant must show legal permission of the right to adapt.


F.A.Q.

Click the + to expand each question.

ARE THERE ANY LIMITATIONS ON HOW FELLOWSHIP FUNDS CAN BE SPENT? +

The funds are unrestricted but it is intended to be used to assist for time off work, rent, food, or directly towards allowing the recipient dedicated and focused time to complete the screenplay.

CAN I APPLY FOR THE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE SAME PROJECT AS I HAVE IN PREVIOUS YEARS? +

Yes, as long as there have been significant updates to your project.

AM I ALLOWED TO SUBMIT FOR THIS FELLOWSHIP AS WELL AS OTHER INDIE MEMPHIS GRANT AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES +

Yes, you are! However, the same filmmakers will not receive more than one Indie Memphis funding opportunity within a 12-month period. And no filmmaker can receive the same award in back-to-back years.

WHO WILL BE DETERMINING THE FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT? +

A review committee that will narrow down the list to a select group of finalists. Those finalists will then be given to the final industry professional judge, who will then choose the project that will receive the fellowship.


Previous Recipients

IM-web-fellowship-winner-2019-jamey.png

2019

Jamey Hatley

for The Eureka Hotel

IM171_Announcement-ZaireLove.png

2020

Zaire Love

for SUE & THE MOTHER'S BOARD

IM208_Fellowship-Amanzi-Arnett.png

2021

Amanzi Arnett

for I’LL FLY AWAY

 

BLACK CREATORS FORUM OPPORTUNITIES

 
 

Fellowship Support

provided by

REMEMBERING GEORGE RILEY FUND