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Kara Smith, the executive behind Donald Glover's Mr. and Mrs. Smith, was promoted July 8 and landed her first big win two days later, with the House of David Season 3 renewal. By Kiven Marie Michael Iskander as David Donald Glover's Mr. and Mrs. Smith put Black creative leadership at the center of one of Prime Video's biggest recent hits and the executive behind it just got a major promotion. Amazon MGM Studios named Kara Smith Head of Drama on July 8, elevating a veteran of

Micheal Ward has been found not guilty of all charges in his criminal trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London. Michael Ward Photo Credit: PA Media | 2025 On Friday, July 10, a jury acquitted Ward of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault following allegations related to an encounter with a woman after they met at a London nightclub on January 2, 2023. Throughout the trial, Ward maintained that the encounter was consensual. Speaking outside the court, Ward’s

House of David's Michael Iskander as David, alongside King Saul, Queen Ahinoam, and the House of Saul in the Prime Video series. By Sahndra Fon Dufe Michael Iskander as David and…. On House of David Prime Video announced Friday that House of David, its sweeping biblical drama from Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios, has been renewed for a third season. Creators Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn confirmed the news in a statement, saying they're "incredibly grateful to fans around the

Six months before Children of Blood and Bone opens in theaters, its author tells the world she won't be watching it By Sahndra Fon Dufe Author Tomi Adeyemi and actress Amandla Stenberg appear alongside the cover of Children of Blood and Bone, which is being adapted by Paramount Pictures. On July 4, Tomi Adeyemi, the Nigerian-American writer whose 2018 debut spent 175 combined weeks on the New York Times bestseller list across its trilogy posted a TikTok that split her fandom

For many Americans, July 4th celebrates the nation's independence. For Black communities, however, the holiday also invites reflection on a more complex history, one that includes the ongoing struggle for freedom, equality, and justice. Black cinema has long preserved these stories, honoring the resilience, triumphs, and cultural contributions that have shaped America. Whether you're in the mood for laughter, romance, action, or powerful historical dramas, these Black-led fil

Six months into 2026, here's what's actually moving, on the pitch, on the charts, and everywhere in between. By Y. Marie Kiven The Midyear Pulse: What's Actually Popping in Black Culture Right Now . 1. On Screen: South Africa's Streaming Takeover. The Polygamist Keeps Climbing, and Its Star Isn't Waiting Around South Africa's "The Polygamist," the Sue Nyathi adaptation that's become one of the year's biggest African streaming stories, climbed to No. 2 globally on Netflix's T

A category restructure promised African artists more paths to win at the 2026 BET Awards. Instead, it produced the first total shutout since the modern era began and the numbers say the loss wasn't for lack of firepower. By Sahndra Fon Dufe Tems delivers a live performance of "What You Need" at the 2026 BET Awards, one of three categories she'd lose by the end of the night. The 26th annual BET Awards were held Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, host

A Los Angeles jury found Chris Brown liable for negligence after his dog mauled his former housekeeper. Here's what the case actually covered, and what it didn't. By Y. Marie Kiven R&B singer Chris Brown arrives at Southwark Crown Court on July 11, 2025 in London, England.Leon Neal/Getty Image A Los Angeles County jury ruled on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, that Chris Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, must pay nearly $13 million to his former housekeeper, Maria Avila, after

The Zimbabwean supernovela that posted 19.1 million hours viewed in its first week debuting at number four on Netflix's global Non-English chart and topping it outright in South Africa, Kenya, and Jamaica has the world talking, arguing, and confessing on timelines everywhere: a story so precise about manipulation and control that it has Christian social media calling its villain a walking sermon. Joyce Gomora played by Gugu Gumede-Netflix There is a man pretending in a suit.

You bored, thinking you will sleep. You scroll the movie menu out of habit. And then, if you know where to look you find something that matters. Here is how to find it. Black Film Wire Staff · Summer 2026Travel Guide The in-flight entertainment screen does not look like a discovery space. It looks like a menu. Rows of studio titles, familiar comedies, the same action films you passed on at home. Most passengers scroll for two minutes, pick something comfortable, and stop th

MUBI You know Tubi. You may have scrolled past Hulu, Netflix and Prime Video looking for a film everybody serious about cinema seems to be discussing. Then someone says, “It’s on MUBI.” That is usually how the introduction happens. For many viewers, MUBI is where they first meet the films that do not always make it to the front page of mainstream streaming: a Nigerian feature, a Senegalese drama, a Berlin or Cannes title, a TIFF discovery, the kind of cinema that shows up in

From Scary Movie and Creed to Nollywood premieres, Cameroonian cinema, MUBI, Hulu and diaspora documentaries, here are Black Film Wire’s essential June 2026 screen picks. The summer movie season is officially open, and June 2026 is delivering more than the mainstream calendar might suggest. Yes, the Wayans family is back in theaters with Scary Movie. Yes, The Blackening is perfectly timed for a Juneteenth-season rewatch. And yes, Nia DaCosta's Hedda remains a Prime Video titl

Idris Elba has been knighted by King Charles at Windsor Castle, an honour that lands differently when you know the full story of who gave it and who received it. King Charles knights Sir Idris Elba at Windsor Castle on June 2, 2026.Credit : PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo Black Film Wire Staff · June 2026Film & Culture On June 2, 2026, Idrissa Akuna Elba walked into Windsor Castle and walked out as Sir Idris Elba, knighted by King Charles for his services to young people. The

The Netflix "Celebration of Black Television" Panel at ABFF Was the Therapy We Didn't Know We Needed By Sahndra Fon Dufe | Black Film Wire | ABFF 2026, Miami Beach Panelists: Michelle Buteau · Amy Aniobi · Krystle Stewart · Courtney Kemp · Maleah Joi Moon · Debbie Allen · Felicia Pride · Mario Van Peebles · Moderated by Nina Parker Credit: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images I almost didn't make it, but thank God I did. The queue outside the New World Center in Miami Beach was doing w

At Texcellence Prelude Cameroon, one executive made the case that Africa's creative infrastructure gap is also its biggest untapped investment opportunity. By Sahndra Fon Dufe · African Pictures International · Black Film Wire Contributor DOUALA, CAMEROON | On May 13, 2026, the Texcellence Prelude Cameroon convened a cross-sector panel of executives from fintech, manufacturing, technology, and the creative economy to examine what they called Cameroon's digital inflection

There are roles actors play that completely change the way audiences see them. Nollywood has continued to push boundaries with characters, giving actors room to step outside their comfort zones and fully transform on screen. These actors delivered performances that shocked audiences not just because of the storylines, but because of how convincingly they disappeared into the roles. Here are some of the most shocking Nollywood performances that left viewers talking long after

By Adesewa Bolu The African film industry is in mourning following the heartbreaking passing of Alex Ekubo, one of Nollywood’s most recognizable and beloved screen stars, who reportedly died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40. News of his passing has sent shockwaves across the entertainment industry, with colleagues, fans, and filmmakers paying tribute to an actor remembered not only for his talent and charisma, but also for his kindness, elegance, and generosity of spirit. Fo

By Oluwaseun Mary Netflix has officially confirmed that Blood Sisters is returning for a second season and yes, the chaos we have seen from pictures shared by the cast is making our mind pump from what we should expect. The official Instagram announcement confirmed the return of fan favourites, including Ini Dima-Okojie, Nancy Isime, Kate Henshaw and Genoveva Umeh, with a fresh lineup of new faces stepping into the already explosive world of the series. For many of us, Blo

How a Single Actress Winning Both Lead and Supporting Acting Honours in One Night Produced What May Be a Global First, while Nigeria's Designers Quietly Out-Conceptualised the Met By Sahndra Fon Dufe, Editor-in-Chief | Black Film Wire, Atlanta GA May 10, 2026 Linda Ejiofor-Suleman wins at AMVCA |2026 There is a moment at the end of a great awards season when something tips over from celebration into significance. Last night at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, at the 12th Af

The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards once again proved that African storytelling is not limited to film screens alone. Before the trophies, speeches and emotional wins, the AMVCA Cultural Night, which happened on Friday, May 9th, 2026, delivered what has now become one of the most anticipated seasons in the awards season. Held as part of the week-long AMVCA festivities themed “Honouring Craft, Celebrating Culture,” this year’s cultural night transformed