Shambry described how the working atmosphere lacked the explosive controversy or ego clashes that can characterize the Hollywood filming process. But there is no shortage of credentials in the production of Shambry’s autobiographical Outdoor School: Etuk was working as an assistant director on a Wieden+Kennedy Superbowl ad Shambry appeared in, an interaction that launched their partnership. Etuke, a graduate of the Directors Guild of America training program, brought along industry professionals to work alongside paid interns; he also partnered with Emmy-nominated producer Ifanyi Bell – who is also the producer of Outdoor School – to nurture the feature-length project in Open Signal Labs Black Filmmaker Fellowship.
BlackStar Projects, the Philadelphia-based organization celebrating Black, Brown and Indigenous voices in filmmaking and media arts, revealed the lineup of their annual film festival, which runs in-person and online this August.