21 Black Futures

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21 Black Futures is a Canadian film and theatre project, broadcast by CBC Gem in 2021. [1] Created in conjunction with the Black Canadian theatre company Obsidian Theatre to mark both Black History Month and the 21st anniversary of Obsidian, [2] the project commissioned 21 short film adaptations of theatrical monologues on the theme of "the future of Blackness" by Black Canadian writers, [3] each performed by a Black actor on the stage of Meridian Hall in Toronto. [1]

Contents

The project was commissioned in part because the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada had prevented the staging of a traditional theatre festival. [1]

The project aired over three weeks in February 2021, with seven films premiering each week on February 12, 19 and 26. [4]

Films

FilmDirectorWriterActorSynopsis
The Death News Charles Officer Amanda Parris Lovell Adams-Gray A man performs and records his own obituary on The Death News, a television show which airs testimonials by the recently deceased, to be broadcast in the event of his future death.
The SenderLeah-Simone Bowen Cheryl Foggo Amanda Cordner Cil Brown is a Sender with a project that exiles racists to their own island society.
Jah in the Ever Expanding Song d’bi.young anitafrika Kaie Kellough Ravyn Wngz
BeyereLisa Karen Cox Shauntay Grant Natasha Courage Bacchus
Madness with RocksJamie RobinsonPeace AkintadeDion Johnstone
Witness ShiftSarah Waisvisz Donna-Michelle St. Bernard Uche Ama
SensitivityMike Payette Lawrence Hill Sabryn Rock
SpecialJay NorthcottKeshia CheesmanAvery GrantEight-year-old Zari has moved with her mother to an all-Black town, but finds that although she fits in with her classmates at school she misses the feeling of being special and different.
Umoja Corp.Leighton Alexander WilliamsJacob SampsonPablo OgunlesiA corporation that works to amass and defend Black knowledge and strength steps in to help Adrian after he runs into trouble with the law.
Notice Ngozi Paul Luke Reece Lisa Berry Inspired by the global anti-racism protests that took place during her childhood in 2020, the now-adult Crystal Hinds rises into a position to make a powerful difference in 2045.
Blackberries Alicia K. Harris Miali-Elise Coley-SudlovenickAdeline BirdEffie, a woman of mixed African and Inuk heritage, travels to Nunavut for her grandmother's funeral.
EmmettTanisha Taitt Syrus Marcus Ware Prince Amponsah Medgar, one of the few survivors of a catastrophe that largely wiped out human civilization seven years earlier, talks about his life and recalls his relationship with his lover Emmett.
Georgeena Weyni Mengesha Djanet Sears Virgilia GriffithAfter fleeing her wedding when she realized she was marrying into an all-white world, Georgeena believes she is going to die because her car is being followed.
Rebirth of the Afronauts: A Black Space OdysseyJerome Kruin Wendy Motion Brathwaite Chelsea RussellIn 2059, Chariott receives a mysterious call that leads her on an exploration of whole new vistas of experience.
CavitiesMumbi Tindyebwa OtuK. T. Dennis Alison Sealy-Smith
40 Parsecs and Some FuelLucius Dechausay Omari Newton Daniel Faraldo
The Prescription Alison Duke Lisa Codrington Akosua Amo-Adem
ChronologieMike Payette, Katia Café-FébrissyStephie MazunyaSheila Ingabire-Isaro
Y&N Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Own Native Land) Dorothy A. Atabong Tawiah M'carthy Peter Fernandes
Builders of NationsKimberley Rampersad Joseph Jomo Pierre Philip Akin
Omega Child Ahdri Zhina Mandiela Cherissa RichardsEmerjade Simms

Awards

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef(s)
Canadian Screen Awards 2022 Best Web Program or Series, FictionMumbi Tindyebwa Otu, Lucius Dechausay, Fatuma Adar, Michael Sinclair, Myekah Payne, Grazyna KrupaWon [5]
Best Lead Performance, Web Program or Series Lovell Adams-Gray Won
Lisa Berry Nominated [6]
Best Supporting Performance, Web Program or SeriesChelsea RussellNominated
Best Direction, Web Program or SeriesLucius DechausayNominated
Charles Officer Won [5]
Best Writing, Web Program or Series Lawrence Hill Nominated [6]
Amanda Parris Won [5]

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