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In Zikoko life's Siraam, Uzoamaka Power finds comedy in the distance between what we know about love and what desire persuades us to believe. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young woman in possession of a romantic imagination must be in want of a man who will disappoint her. Austen had the advantage of writing fiction about women and men in the Regency era before the invention of the situationship, that modern arrangement in which two people may behave as though

Kaelo Iyizoba is one of the young Black filmmakers steadily carving out a distinctive voice in contemporary cinema. Kaelo is a Nigerian-American writer, director and producer who has built a reputation for creating emotionally rich stories that explore identity, memory and human connection with striking visual confidence. Kaelo is a graduate of Columbia University's MFA Film program, Iyizoba has earned recognition as one of BuzzFeed's four up-and-coming Black filmmakers shapi

A parade of millennial cringe, Gen Z shorthand and recycled bachelor-party antics, NETFLIX’S 72 Hours only occasionally finds life in the chemistry between its younger ensemble. The foremost thing you notice, some forty minutes after the familiar Netflix tum-dum, is the patronizing specter of Todd Phillips' The Hangover trilogy haunting Tim Story's 72 Hours. A counterfeit specter, no doubt. Even if one concedes that decent studio comedies have become a scarce commodity in Hol

August is packed with exciting releases across cinemas and streaming platforms, bringing together some of the most anticipated Nollywood productions and Black-led international titles. From historical epics, royal dramas, and family stories to coming-of-age comedies, crime thrillers, and returning fan-favorite series, this month's lineup showcases the depth and diversity of Black storytelling across the globe. Whether you're heading to the cinema, tuning into Netflix, ALLBLK,

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has shattered the all-time Thursday preview record with an estimated $72 million, surpassing Avengers: Endgame. The historic opening also extends Zendaya's remarkable run as one of Hollywood's most bankable Black stars. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has shattered the all-time Thursday preview record with an estimated $72 million, surpassing Avengers: Endgame. The historic opening also extends Zendaya's remarkable run as one of Hollywood's most bankable B

Watch The Trailer A day after the trailer dropped, the author said she left her own film's set "hyperventilating and sobbing" and is still being antagonized behind the scenes. She still won't say by whom. By Kiven Marie Mahershala Ali stars as Latif in YOUR MOTHER YOUR MOTHER YOUR MOTHER, from Amazon MGM Studios. Photo Credit: Jaclyn Martinez Orion Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios have released the first trailer for "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother," an action-drama starr

Marvel Studios has officially cancelled Wonder Man, ending the Disney+ series after a single season despite an earlier renewal. The series starred Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, a struggling actor who gains superhuman abilities and is drawn into the world of superheroes while navigating Hollywood. Created by Andrew Guest and developed with filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, Wonder Man distinguished itself from much of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's streaming slate th

TRADE JOURNAL EXCLUSIVE | INDUSTRY NEWS & PRODUCTION A year after Black Film Wire called Georgia the new creative capital, the follow-up numbers are in, an 83% surge in independent film is quietly changing who gets to make movies in the state, and Tyler Perry Studios keeps building one of the most concrete Black-ownership stories in American production. Here's what's actually new. Written and directed by Atlanta native and Morehouse alum David Fortune, the independent film "C

The first teaser for Children of Blood and Bone has arrived, unveiling Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ayra Starr in the fantasy epic while confirming Tems' growing creative role through her music for the film. First-look images from Children of Blood and Bone offer a new glimpse at Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ayra Starr in the upcoming fantasy epic. The first teaser for Children of Blood and Bone has been unveiled, offering audiences their clearest look yet at Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ay

Colman Domingo is in talks to co-write an original live-action feature centred on Princess Tiana, expanding the world of Disney's The Princess and the Frog. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Domingo will write the project alongside Tony-nominated playwright and director Robert O'Hara. The film is described as an original story inspired by the 2009 animated classic rather than a shot-for-shot live-action remake. Deals for both creatives are still being finalised. The develo

A day after the trailer dropped, the author said she left her own film's set "hyperventilating and sobbing" and is still being antagonized behind the scenes. She still won't say by whom. Tomi Adeyemi with 'Children of Blood and Bone'.Credit : Sam Vibes Three weeks ago, we asked what Tomi Adeyemi's decision to publicly disown Paramount's "Children of Blood and Bone" adaptation meant for Black fantasy's next decade. This week, she answered a question we didn't ask: how bad it a

Regina Hall joins Dwayne Johnson, Theo Leber, Alicia Silverstone, and Tim Heidecker in Benny Safdie's "Lizard Music," the live-action/CGI hybrid adaptation now in production at United Artists and Amazon MGM Studios. By Kiven Marie Regina Hall and Dwayne JohnsonDerek Blanks/Huy Doan Regina Hall has joined Dwayne Johnson in Amazon MGM Studios' and United Artists' live-action/CGI hybrid film "Lizard Music," from director Benny Safdie, Deadline first reported. Theo Leber, Alicia

Following Marvel Studios' announcement at San Diego Comic-Con, British actor David Jonsson is set to play the adult T'Challa II in Black Panther III. Here's a look at the rising star's journey from Industry to Wakanda. Marvel Studios' decision to cast David Jonsson as the next Black Panther marks the culmination of one of British cinema's most compelling recent ascents. Announced by Ryan Coogler during the studio's Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, Jonsson will por

Three deadlines land within the next six weeks: one closes tomorrow, spanning a screenwriting accelerator, a startup accelerator, and a trade-show pavilion across the African creative economy. By Kiven Marie Five African Creative Grants Closing Soon- July and August 2026 Three opportunities on the board right now, for screenwriters, for creative builders, and for food & beverage entrepreneurs. One of these closes tomorrow, so don't sleep on it. For Screenwriters: Origin Write

A DMV artist Dez designed a one-of-one boot, an architect built the pitch deck that helped land the funding, and Antonio Rüdiger spent his post-World Cup window turning both into real money for Sierra Leone's kids. Here's the creative work behind the Antonio Rüdiger Foundation Grand Gala. By Sahndra Fon Dufe, Editor-in-Chief, Black Film Wire Antonio Rüdiger hosts inaugural Antonio Rüdiger Foundation Grand Gala, Washington D.C., July 21, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Most players wh

The filmmaker's latest short film draws inspiration from Zeb Ejiro's 1996 classic while reimagining its themes for a new generation of Nigerian audiences. By Akinwande Jordan Nearly three decades after Domitilla became one of the defining works of Nollywood's video-film era, filmmaker Dika Ofoma is returning to its legacy with A Happy Ending, his latest short film and one of three entries in the second edition of the Zikoko Life anthology. Produced by Big Cabal Media in partn

Beyond the Gates leads a strong showing for Black talent as the 53rd Daytime Emmy Awards recognise achievements across drama, talk television and lifestyle programming. By Akinwande Jordan When the nominations for the 53rd Daytime Emmy Awards were unveiled, one programme immediately emerged as the story of the year: Beyond the Gates. The CBS drama, the first new daytime soap opera in 25 years and the first with a majority-Black cast in more than three decades, secured a landm

Nigerian actress, producer, entrepreneur, and media personality Carolyna Hutchings has announced the launch of AFRIVISTA FILMS, a production company dedicated to developing and producing African stories for local and global audiences. The announcement was made via social media, where Hutchings described the venture as the next chapter in a career that has spanned acting, producing, and storytelling. Reflecting on her journey, she noted that after producing multiple award-win

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