Overjoyed to announce that @bbrianfoster and I’s third film in our trilogy will play at our beloved @ourayfilmfest this June. Cannot wait to be back in one of the most magical places on earth, surrounded by the most amazing people I’ve had to joy to meet and connect with the past few years. Impossible to overstate how special this film festival is 🔥
In high school, little Kyon would freestyle everyday— nobody was safe. The Senior T at Highland High School in Albuquerque was his domain. Only a few teachers understood. So, it’s full circle that I get to be that educator for students with passions and skills similar to mine. Funny how your purpose finds you. That’s why I’m even more excited about this film, Rich Now, which documents how freestyle and improvisation not only soundtrack my life, but direct my educational practices. Find out how at the premiere(s) April 9th & 10th. Ticket link in my bio. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this and you won’t be disappointed.
Last summer I got to hang out with @anonthegriot , legendary MC and beloved member of @soulfoodcypher and document the work he does as a mentor for some really talented high school kids.
The film was executive produced by @fultoninstitute and premieres April 9th and 10th in Atlanta as part of their FILMER program. I’ve been a part of FILMER since the very beginning, and I continue to be grateful for the work @fultoninstitute does to support filmmakers in elevating Atlanta voices.
Get ur tix, y’all
E
#filmeratl
From @bbrianfoster and @ethanpayne comes “We Make!” We Make tells the story of Siggers High School, a community-built Black high school in Shannon, Mississippi, that served local families from the 1940s until its closure during integration in 1970. Named for its longtime principal, Reverend Edgar Lemuel Siggers, the school was built and sustained by residents when the state refused to provide equal education. Based on more than twenty oral history interviews with alumni and community members, and using stills from the school’s only yearbook, archival photographs, and contemporary scenes, the film documents a community’s effort to preserve its history and the enduring legacy of the people who made the school possible.
B.Brian Foster is a writer, ethnographer, archivist, and multi-medium storyteller working to document and interpret the culture, folklore, and placemaking practices of Black communities in the rural US South. Ethan Payne is a documentary filmmaker based in Florida.
#oxfordfilmfestival #supportindiefilm #indiefilm #filmfestival #oxfordms
Announcing the first two festival appearances of our new short documentary, We Make.
We Make tells the story of Siggers High School, a community-built Black high school in Shannon, Mississippi, that served local families from the 1940s until its closure during integration in 1970. Named for its longtime principal, Reverend Edgar Lemuel Siggers, the school was built and sustained by residents when the state refused to provide equal education. Based on more than twenty oral history interviews with alumni and community members, and using stills from the school’s only yearbook, archival photographs, and contemporary scenes, the film documents a community’s effort to preserve its history and the enduring legacy of the people who made the school possible.
Catch it at @dentonbff this weekend and next month at @oxfilm_ms
A film by @bbrianfoster and @ethanpayne
With funding from @mshumanitiescouncil and @uva
Production manager @azairelovejunt
Additional camera @djt_avisionmedia
Memphis 📍is the first stop in our Southern City series. We get to witness this city light up through the eyes of SFA filmmaker and native Memphian, Zaire Love (@azairelovejunt ) and through the lens of filmmaker Ethan Payne (@ethanpayne ).
Follow Zaire as she experiences the gravity-defying Beale Street flippers, connects with coffee’s Black roots at cxffeeblack (@cxffeeblack ), savors a treat at Butteriffic (@butteriffic_bakery_cafe ), remembers activists and organizers at the Lorraine Motel and Clayborn Temple (@thebigwe ), and much more.
“Memphis is funny. Memphis is home. Memphis is sacred. Memphis is a vibe. Memphis deserves. This is my love letter to Memphis.”
Watch on SFA’s YouTube channel at the link in our bio, and share your favorite Memphis spots in the comments.
Matt Arnett (@groceryonhome ) is fighting an aggressive cancer, and our community could use your help. Matt is THE most generous person I know, and I’m honored to call him my very best friend. He’s a tireless supporter of artists, and cultivates community everywhere he goes. His default is to never ask for help, but to always be at the front of the line when help is needed. Anyone who knows him knows that I don’t exaggerate in the least. Matt is a starting chemo and expensive immunotherapy on Friday that is not covered. Please join the Beloved Community helping out, We’ve started a GOFUNDME (link in bio). I tell you every day buddy, but it bears repeating, I love you so much. Thanks so much to @bradlichtenstein and @adbasting for launching the gofundme.
We’ve got you and @verginger every step of the way. #honkifyouknowmattarnett
I asked Lonnie Holley how the immense struggles and obstacles he endured in his life have shaped him as the vital artist and person he is today. this was his response.
listen to 2025's 'Tonky' by @lonnieholleysuniverse courtesy of @jagjaguwar today.
hear Lonnie and I in conversation on the Kreative Kontrol podcast today too, or tomorrow, after you've listened to 'Tonky' today. thanks!
*some clips in this video are derived from the video for "That's Not Art, That's Not Music" directed by Matt Arnett / @groceryonhome and Ethan Payne / @ethanpayne
Music Maker Studios isn’t your average recording studio.
A creative oasis for artists sidelined by the music industry, our studios in Fountain, NC are a core part of our mission to support and preserve American traditional music.
Learn how we’re uplifting the unsung heroes of American music - one recording session at a time.
🎵 Trenton Ayers, "Takin' It To The Mountain"
🎬 Video by @ethanpayne feat. @therealjimbomathus , @20trentonayers , @timothyduffyphotography , @kashmirkirk , @scottgoolsby , @johnkveen , and @msz_kerae
The Freeman Vines short film has been released today by @switchboard.magazine .
Watch the film and witness the search for his sound. Freeman reached a truth with his existence.
View the film and consider your journey.
#documentary #foryourconsideration
Join is in NYC on Nov 7th or Nov 19th for our short film screening series. @switchboard.magazine has acquired all of our films and has launched an impressive campaign. We are going for the Gold and all the For Your Consideration possibilities.
RSVP via the link in the @freemanvinesfilm bio. #documentary #shortfilm
Swipe for the really fun faces I make during Q&A’s for @thegreenflashdocumentary . You can see for yourself on Tuesday Oct 21st at @thetaraatlanta at 7pm! Also I’m turning 40 that night at midnight.
Thx to @kbfilmfestival for a beautiful Q&A and to these photos for teaching me true humility. Love a lesson.
