Cassandra Wilson, Two-Time Grammy-Winning Jazz Legend, Dies at 70

Cassandra Wilson, the two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer, songwriter and producer dubbed America’s best singer by Time magazine in 2001, has died. She was 70. Wilson passed away peacefully at home in her native Jackson, Mississippi, surrounded by family, close friends and her manager, on Tuesday morning. Hinds County Coroner Jeramiah Howard confirmed her death. […]

Got a Documentary? Black Public Media Opens Applications for PitchBLACK, Its $150,000+ Documentary Competition

Black Public Media has opened submissions for its 2026 Open Call, inviting independent filmmakers to submit feature-length documentary projects for the chance to compete in the 10th PitchBLACK Forum, the nation’s largest pitch competition exclusively for Black stories. The submissions portal is open now and closes October 1 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Five projects will […]

David Oyelowo and Nate Parker’s Mansa Studios Teams With TikTok to Co-Distribute Its Original Microdramas

David Oyelowo and Nate Parker’s Mansa Studios has struck a partnership with TikTok to co-distribute its original microdramas, with three titles now available directly through the TikTok Minis platform as well as on the Mansa app. It marks the first time Mansa content has launched on TikTok. The three titles debuting on the platform are […]

Let’s Hope You Show Some Talent, Potter: HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Drops New Trailer Featuring Snape, The Sorting Hat and More

HBO has dropped a new trailer for its highly anticipated Harry Potter series, offering the most expansive look yet at the Wizarding World ahead of its Christmas 2026 premiere. The trailer opens with Harry (Dominic McLaughlin), Ron (Alastair Stout) and Hermione (Arabella Stanton) arriving at Hogwarts for the sorting ceremony, where all three are placed […]

Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat and aTwist Partner for 20+ Original Microseries, Including Adapting Blake Karrington’s Books

aTwist is building out its Hollywood roster. The U.S.-based vertical storytelling platform has announced a strategic partnership with Hartbeat, Kevin Hart’s global entertainment company, to produce more than 20 original microseries exclusively for the platform, with a dedicated Hartbeat destination coming to aTwist. The slate will include original comedy microseries under the LOL umbrella and […]