AAFCA’s Below the Line: Creative Trades Panel and Celebration of Elizabeth Robinson, Bobby Banks, Robert Stevenson and Jamal Simms

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On Saturday, August 2, 2025, the African American Film Critics Association hosted its Below the Line: Creative Trades Panel and Celebration at the Mark Taper Auditorium to honor Elizabeth Robinson for SINNERS with the Crown Award, Bobby Banks for Dope Thief with the Frame Award, Jamal Simms for RuPaul’s Drag Race with the Pulse Award, and Robert Stevenson with the Pioneer Award,

The below the line team members of a production are rarely acknowledged and AAFCA has changed that with their exceptional awards program.

STAR PEOPLE starring Kat Cunning Opens in Los Angeles theaters August 8th and VOD Nationwide on Aug 12th

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Director and writer: Adam Finberg
Starring: Kat Cunning , McCabe Slye, Connor Paolo, Eddie Martinez, Bradley Fisher, and Adriana Aluna Martinez
Producers: Adam Finberg and Josh Shader
Distributor: Blue Harbor

Adam Finberg's narrative feature debut STAR PEOPLE, starring actor and recording artist Kat Cunning opens in Los Angeles Aug 8th at the Laemmle Royal) and released on VOD nationwide on (Amazon, iTunes and more on August 12th.

Broadway Star, Grammy Nominated Singer, Actress & Climate Champion Antonique Smith Takes Center Stage As Global Ambassador For Historic  “Sun Day” Clean Energy Movement On September 21st 

A true multi-hyphenate and CEO of Climate Revival, Smith has been named the official Global Ambassador for Sun Day, the first ever international day of action and celebration for clean energy launching September 21, 2025.

Los Angeles, CA – July 31, 2025 –Antonique Smith, the powerhouse vocalist and actress best known for her starring role as Mimi in Rent on Broadway, is once again taking center stage on a global scale, this time as the newly named Ambassador for Sun Day, a unique climate action and clean energy celebration launching September 21, 2025.

Founded by renowned climate author and 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben, Sun Day is a bold, grassroots movement merging climate justice, cultural celebration, and community action. Sun Day aims to shine a global light on the power of solar and wind energy to build a cleaner, fairer, and more hopeful world. It’s more than just a tribute to the sun, it’s a day of action. Communities around the world will host everything from electric bike parades and solar home tours to clean energy concerts, policy marches, and community rallies.

“As the official Ambassador of Sun Day, I am excited to educate and encourage communities across the Globe to understand the importance of Clean Energy and Solar Power. We all have a responsibility to do our part to fight climate change,” says Antonique Smith, acclaimed actress, co-founder of Climate Revival, and Global Ambassador for Sun Day. “Solar energy is cheaper, healthier, and a job creator. In a world full of fear and chaos, Sun Day is about bringing awareness to climate solutions we already have and fighting to get them implemented for the sake of future generations.”

This announcement comes in the wake of President Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill”, which will impact the biggest clean energy tax credits in U.S. history, including the 30% solar installation credit and $7,500 EV rebate that millions rely on. These rollback deadlines mean working families, renters, and communities hit hardest by climate change could lose access to life-changing support. We’re in a solar sprint to install clean energy systems and claim these benefits before they vanish.

Antonique Smith is no stranger to activism. Beyond the stage and screen, she has spent more than a decade as a powerful voice for climate and social justice. Through Climate Revival, the nonprofit she co-founded in 2024 with climate leader Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Smith is dedicated to mobilizing communities of color and faith to recognize how climate issues are already impacting their lives.

“Antonique is a force both artistically and within the climate movement,” says Bill McKibben. “Not only is she a gifted entertainer, but the way she has been committed to the climate mission with the goal of educating and inspiring, makes her the perfect Ambassador for Sun Day.”

Sun Day is backed by a powerful coalition of climate and justice organizations, including:

Fossil Free Media, Bright Saver, Cooperative Energy Futures, EcoMadres, GreenFaith, Justice Environment, Local Motion, Moms Clean Air Force, Music Declares Emergency, RE-volv, Rewiring America, Sierra Club, Solar Faithful, Solar United Neighbors, Third Act, and the United Church of Christ.

Organizers are providing a free toolkit with everything needed to create impactful local events, from event ideas to communications materials. Whether you’re cutting the ribbon on a solar park, lighting up a green bulb in your solar-powered home, or rallying for clean energy policy, everyone can join the Sun Day movement.

How to get involved:
Host a local event
Download the toolkit

Join or support an existing Sun Day action near you

Visit https://sunday.earth/ to get started.

“The Omro Heist” is released today, July 29th, on TVOD and Digital, in North America across all platforms

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Director: Jamie Bailey
Story: Simon Phillips
Writers: Jamie Bailey, Simon Phillips
Starring: Simon Phillips, Anthony Crivello, Damir Kovic, Heather Arendt, Nick Biskupek, Ken Bressers, Al Dias, Cali Felix, Justin Gordon, Tony Lee Gratz, Alicia Hinson, Mackenzie Jones, Kristen McCabe, Adam Huel Potter

Director Jamie Bailey's film 'Omro Heist" takes on the journey of an undercover FBI agent tasked with putting an end to the bank siege, only to realize the person committing the crimes is not your usual suspect.

Producers: Ken Bressers, Anthony Crivello
Executive producer: Simon Phillips
Composer: Darren Morze
Cinematographer: Jamie Bailey
Editor: Jamie Bailey
Sound: Donnie Ivey

Documentary “Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross” on TVOD and Digital

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Director: Paul Taublieb
Narrator:  Josh Brolin
Appearances: Hall of Fame legends Jeremy McGrath, Bob Hannah, Ricky Johnson, and Ricky Carmichael
Run time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Language: English
Country: United States

An intriguing documentary from Emmy winner Paul Taubliebhe,“Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross," and narrated by Josh Brolin, shares the details of the tragic days of the sport, Supercross, in 1972. And how the man who created the dangerous sport, Michael Goodwin, is serving a double-life sentence without the possibility of parole for murdering his ex-business partner and his wife. Supercross includes the industry's legends and Icons, the biggest names that paved the way for today’s most talented motorsports players in the world.

‘Freakier Friday’ Official Trailer Starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lyndsay Lohan: in Theaters August 8th

Freakier Friday Poster Art

Release date: August 8, 2025
Director: Nisha Ganatra
Screenplay: Jordan Weiss
Story by: Elyse Hollander, Jordan Weiss
Based on Freaky Friday: by Mary Rodgers
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, Mark Harmon
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, fantasy
Run time: 1 hour 51 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English

Director Nisha Ganatra’s Freaky Friday is a sequel to the 2003 film and brings back Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis and Lynsey Lohan in their hilarious roles as Tess Coleman  and Anna Coleman.

More great cast of characters are Harper Coleman (Julia Butters), Anna's daughter and Tess' granddaughter;  Lily Davies ( Sophia Hammons) Anna's future stepdaughter, and Harper's future stepsister; Eric Davies, (Manny Jacinto) Anna's new fiancé, Lily's father, and Harper's future stepfather; Ryan, (Mark Harmon) Tess' husband, Anna and Harry's stepfather, and Harper's step-grandfather.

Rounding things out are Jake, (Chad Michael Murray ) Anna's ex-boyfriend; Ella, (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan);  Pei-Pei, (Rosalind Chao) a Chinese restaurant owner;  Madame Jen, (Vanessa Bayer) a fortune teller; Maddie, (Christina Vidal Mitchell) one of Anna's best friends; Peg, (Haley Hudson) one of Anna's best friends;  Harry Coleman,( Ryan Malgarini) Tess' son, Anna's younger brother, Ryan's stepson, and Harper's uncle; Pei-Pei's Mom,(Lucille Soong); Mr. Elton Bates, (Stephen Tobolowsky); Jett (Jordan E. Cooper); Blake Kalem (Elaine Hendrix); GiGi (Chloe Fineman )

Distributors: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Production companies: Walt Disney Pictures, Gunn Films, Burr! Productions
Producers: Kristin Burr, Andrew Gunn, Jamie Lee Curtis
Cinematographer: Matthew Clark
Editor: Eleanor Infante
Music: Amie Doherty

Fantastic 4: First Step Review: The first step of many

Movie Poster for the Fantastic 4: The First Step

Release date: Friday, July 25th

Director Matt Shakman
Screenplay: Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer
Story: Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer, Kat Wood
Based on Fantastic Four by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser
Run time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Genre: Superhero

When you hear ‘Fantastic 4: First Step’ Makes you wonder about the steps ahead

Director Matt Shakman’s new film from Marvel Studios’  Fantastic 4: First Step’ takes you on an exhilarating journey as their leader Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal ), one of the most brilliante scientist that can stretch his body to unimaginable lengths, guides Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby) who is Reed's pregnant wife and Johnny's big sister, and can create force fields and turn into an invisible woman. Sue founded the Future Foundation; Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn),  Sue's little brother who can  fly and regulate fire at the same time.; Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)   best friend of Reed’s  who has had his skin transformed into orange rock that has given him super human power and strength.;  Galactus (Ralph Ineson), who is a gigantic cosmic being who devours the life force of planets and has the Fantastic 4’s retro-futuristic world in his sights.; Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), she is  Galactus's metallic-skinned messenger who travels through space on a surfboard-like craft.

It would not be complete without Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser), The ruler of the Moloids in Subterranea, an alternative society. H.E.R.B.I.E. (Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics), voiced by Matthew Wood) who is Reed's assistant and reminds me of the robot in the cartoon The Jetsons.

Rounding out the cast are Franklin Richards, (Ada Scott) son of Reed and Sue; Ted Gilbert, (Mark Gatiss) talk show host of The Ted Gilbert Show;[29] Lynne Nichols (Sarah Niles), the CEO of the Sue Storm’s Future Foundation, and Rachel Rozman (Natasha Lyonne): A school teacher and Grimm's love interest.

They pull together to protect their planet and the people from Galactus’ total destruction.

Composer Michael Giacchino, Cinematographer: Jess Hall, Editors Nona Khodai and Tim Roche do an excellent job of complementing the great acting, giving the moviegoer what they would expect and more.

Distributed: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Production company: Marvel Studios
Producers: Mitchell Bel
Co-producer: Grant Curtis
Executive producer: Louis D'Esposito
Executive producer: Kevin Feige
Producer (produced by) (p.g.a.): Robert Kulzer
Executive producer: Tim Lewis
Executive producer
Composer: Michael Giacchino
Cinematographer: Jess Hall
Editors: Nona Khodai: Tim Roche

STAR PEOPLE starring Kat Cunning in Theaters July 25th and VOD August 12

A woman outdoors looking to the side
Kat Cunning as Claire in 'Star People'

Director and writer: Adam Finberg
Starring: Kat Cunning , McCabe Slye, Connor Paolo, Eddie Martinez, Bradley Fisher, and Adriana Aluna Martinez
Producers: Adam Finberg and Josh Shader
Distributor: Blue Harbor

STAR PEOPLE opening in the following theatres:

July 25th
-Cinema Village (New York)
-Harkins Theatres Arrowhead (Peoria)
-Harkins Theatres Fashion Center 20 (Chandler)
-Harkins Theatres Shea (Scottsdale)
-Harkins Theatres Superstition Springs (Mesa)

August 8th
-Laemmle Royal (Los Angeles)

August 12
VOD release nationwide on all major platforms (Apple, Amazon and many more)

Blacklight in Production on Director Filmmaker Wes Millers’ Mercy Mercy Me Starring Lil Mama

 Jason Mitchell as Khaos in Mercy Mercy Me
Jason Mitchell as Khaos in Mercy Mercy Me
Picture of Lil Mama
Lil Mama Wes Millers’ Mercy Mercy Me

Director and writer: Wes Miller
Starring: Lil Mama, Jason Mitchell, Carlos Ponce

Director Wes Miller’s “Mercy Mercy Me” take you back to the 1980s as Mercy (Lil Mama) and Khaos (Jason Mitchell) are pulled back into a life of crime they thought was left far behind. A crime thriller we will be looking forward to viewing.

The 5th Annual Next Gen Panel Presented by AAFCA x SAG-AFTRA Foundation Takes Place Today

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On Sunday, July 20th, the African American Film  Critics Association and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation hosted the 5th Annual Next Gen Panel at the Meryl Streep Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. The panel of young stars on the rise is DaVinchi, Taylor, Ernest Kingsley Jr.,  Myles Truitt, who all have a bright future ahead.