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It’s been 20 years, but “Noah’s Arc” is still afloat — and, perhaps, better than ever — in “Noah’s Arc: The Movie,” which had its world premiere in Los Angeles on Thursday night.

Original stars Darryl Stephens, Jensen Atwood, Rodney Chester, Christian Vincent and Wilson Cruz joined creator, writer and director Patrik-Ian Polk to celebrate the latest chapter of their groundbreaking series at The London West Hollywood.

“This movie is a culmination of all the experiences and the learning and the love that we’ve gotten from the fans over all the years. That’s what this movie is, sending all the love they’ve given us back to them,” Stephens told TheWrap. “I was impressed by how much love and money was placed into this project. This felt like, ‘Ok, you know who we are and what we represent and how important it is to the fans.’ It felt like we finally arrived.

The Hollywood Reporter partnered up with GLAAD for the Celebration of Pride ’25 party Wednesday night that brought a slew of guests from the LGBTQ community and allies to West Hollywood.

Several stars stopped by the celebration, presented by Paramount+ FYC at Sunset at Edition, to dance, chat and, most important, gather as a community — something GLAAD’s Anthony Allen Ramos emphasized was critical. “I think more than ever it’s important to be loud and proud and vocal,” Ramos told THR before the large crowd gathered at the event, which also served as a celebration of GLAAD’s 40th year.

“The more that we can come together during Pride and remind the world that we are just like everyone else, we are everyday people, but we’re also super creative when it comes to the work that we do in the entertainment industry and beyond,” he added. “It’s unfortunate...

Paramount+ with Showtime has locked in 20 June 2025 for the premiere of Noah’s Arc: The Movie, marking the first new entry in the franchise since 2020 and landing on the series’ 20-year anniversary. Creator Patrik-Ian Polk again writes, directs, and executive-produces; he stated the project is proof that “fans have never forgotten the show.”

All six principal stars—Darryl Stephens, Rodney Chester, Doug Spearman, Christian Vincent, Jensen Atwood, and Wilson Cruz—return as Noah, Alex, Chance, Ricky, Wade, and Junito. Guest turns from Jasmine Guy, Eva Marcille, Ts Madison, and RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Kennedy Davenport add high-profile support.

Polk’s screenplay follows married couple Noah and Wade, now expecting twins, whose plan to start a family collides with simultaneous dream job offers. The narrative picks up after the pandemic-era reunion special Noah’s Arc: The ’Rona Chronicles (2020) and the 2008 feature Jumping the Broom, continuing a saga that began on...

Paramount+ with Showtime today announced the premiere date for Noah’s Arc: The Movie to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic Logo series. MTV Entertainment Studios and Pop Films produced the film.

Noah’s Arc: The Movie debuts on Friday, June 20, on streaming and on demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan before its on-air debut on the same day at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.

The series’ original stars Darryl Stephens, Rodney Chester, Doug Spearman, Christian Vincent, Jensen Atwood, and Wilson Cruz return to reprise their roles in the film with special appearances by Jasmine Guy, Tc Carson, Eva Marcille, Gregory Kieth, Jonathan Julian White, K’Hood, Mariyea, Jasun Jabbar, Ts Madison, Kennedy Davenport, and Dynisty St. James.

Original series creator Patrik-Ian Polk returns as executive producer, director, and writer of Noah’s Arc: The Movie.

Fans and new audiences will reunite with the beloved chosen...

A documentary about the life and career of legendary R&b singer Luther Vandross is in the works, with Jamie Foxx and Colin Firth serving as producers.

Sony Music Entertainment’s (Sme) Premium Content Division, Sony Music Publishing, Foxx’s Foxxhole Productions and Firth’s Raindog Films have joined forces to produce the first-ever doc on the eight-time Grammy winner, who died in 2005 at age 54. Award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter is directing, and production is underway.

Vandross began his career as a backup singer for Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler and David Bowie. He released his successful, double platinum debut album, Never Too Much, in 1981 and has sold 40 million albums worldwide. Most of his albums achieved platinum or double platinum status, and he scored five Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including “Here and Now,” “Endless Love” and “Power of Love/Love Power.” He earned 27 Top 10 hits on the R&b chart,...

When Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels thinks of those who inspired him, Patrik-Ian Polk easily comes to mind.

Known for telling groundbreaking stories centered on Black gay life — including the independent film Punks, which premiered at Sundance in 2000, and Noah’s Arc, which ran on Logo TV for two seasons from 2005-06 — Polk is a creative force who has chronicled (and continues to chronicle) the lives of underrepresented people while championing diversity way before “Dei” became a buzz term.

“[Polk] was way ahead of the curve, and he took the bullets for all of us when it just wasn’t accepted to do what he was doing,” Daniels, 63, says of Polk, 49. “His bravery is what I ran with in my career. I learned from Patrik that I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. When I say he really has inspired me — he’s a mentor.”

Polk has been a bold...

Janet Jackson’s current tour has featured guest attendees like Angela Bassett, Venus Williams, Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes, who reunited with the icon at Madison Square Garden to perform their 1999 hit “What’s It Gonna Be?!”

The performers danced together onstage Tuesday night in New York City as the audience cheered loudly. Rhymes then gave a five-minute speech honoring Jackson by giving her her flowers — literally.

“Queen Janet. Queen royal empress Janet Jackson. I said queen royal empress Janet Jackson,” he yelled as Jackson watched in awe.

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“I don’t want to disrupt the programming too much, but I brought some gifts for you, queen,” he said as someone rolled a bouquet of flowers to the stage. “We’re going to give you your flowers. I’m going to give you your bouquet while you can smell them.

“Noah’s Arc,” the two-season Logo dramedy about four gay friends navigating the highs and lows of Los Angeles, is planning its return, according to the show’s creator — but not on the pioneering cable network where it first ran.

While accepting an award at the SpeakOut I Am Awards, “Noah’s Arc” creator Patrik-Ian Polk said, “I’m very happy to confirm that there is indeed more ‘Noah’s Arc’ coming.”

Gayemagazine.com has a video of Polk’s statements at the event.

The revival was also confirmed by Darryl Stephens, who played the titular Noah on the series, in a since-deleted tweet that TheWrap captured.

“[In] case you haven’t already heard… there’s a movie and it’s coming soon,” Stephens tweeted, posting a meme of Tiffany Pollard with the “Noah’s Arc” logo on top as well as an image of MTV’s logo. Stephens’ tweet was the first indication that...

Outfest is gearing up for the 20th anniversary of its Outfest Fusion Qtbipoc Film Festival.

The organization revealed on Tuesday the lineup of films that will screen during the 10-day festival as well as the news that The Inspection filmmaker Elegance Bratton has been selected to receive the Fusion Achievement Award at the opening night gala on March 24.

The honor recognizes “an individual who has made a significant contribution to LGBTQ+ visibility in stories, arts and media,” per Outfest. Bratton has been making the rounds as of late for A24’s The Inspection starring Jeremy Pope and Gabrielle Union. Inspired by his own story, The Inspection follows a gay Black man who is rejected by his mother and left with few options for his future. He then decides to join the Marines where he finds unexpected camaraderie, strength and support in this new community, giving him a hard-earned sense of...

Outfest has announced its feature lineup for its 2023 Outfest Fusion Qtbipoc Film Festival, which will run from March 24 through April 2.

Outfest Fusion will be celebrating its 20th anniversary by showcasing Lgbtqia+ filmmakers and their various films depicting queer and transgender stories. There will be nine features, including two 2023 Sundance documentaries, “Little Richard: I Am Everything” from Lisa Cortés and “The Stroll” from Kristen Lovell and Zackary Drucker. Cortés documentary explores how Richard “Little Richard” Penniman worked through his struggles with his sexuality, all while he made his mark on rock n’ roll. While Lovell and Drucker follow transgender women of color as they detail the community’s history of sex work in New York City.

In addition, the Outfest Fusion lineup includes Dawn Mikkelson, Keri Pickett’s “Finding Her Beat;” Fábio Leal’s “Follow The Protocol;” Timothy Harris’ “Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn;” Joseph Amenta’s “Soft;” Lorena Zilleruelo...

GLAAD has hired Julian J. Walker as associate director, Communities of Color & Media.

Walker will work alongside DaShawn Usher, Director of Communities of Color & Media, to create programming that shapes narratives and provokes dialogue that will lead to cultural change while identifying and meeting the needs of the community. One of his first big projects will be the upcoming launch of GLAAD’s “Equity in Media and Entertainment Initiative” – a yearlong program designed specifically for Black LGBTQ+ creatives to elevate Black queer storytelling in entertainment and media.

Emei will serve as a pipeline to build and strengthen professional networks, advance access to executive leaders and spaces, and support the early development of creative projects as part of the three-year program. Walker will ensure GLAAD’s Communities of Color & Media department creates, reports, trains and partners with locally based initiatives throughout the country with a focus on the South.

“Early into...

With close to 365 days of flawless weather, outdoor dining is a year-round occurrence in Los Angeles, and even more so during a pandemic. And now that summer is officially here, there’s nothing like a lively patio, especially in the power-lunch centers of Beverly Hills and Century City, where the majority of talent agencies and entertainment law firms are perched.

Industry regulars say that patios throughout Century City and Beverly Hills are bustling these days. “As Beyoncé declares in her new single, ‘Break My Soul,’ we are ‘back outside’,” says Patrik-Ian Polk, co-executive producer of Starz’s P-Valley. “As convenient as Zoom meetings are, nothing beats the in-person L.A. business lunch circuit. It’s a vital part of the entertainment industry social scene that was sorely missed.” UTA partner Darnell Strom tells THR that he feels it’s harder to get a reservation “last second” right now in the area.

Hollywood may have pinned its hopes on Tom Cruise, but the gays stopped waiting for him a long time ago. As blockbusters like “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise earn praise for meager nods to LGBTQ characters, queer audiences have turned elsewhere, finding far better and more diverse representation on TV. Save for a few highbrow exceptions like “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” or “Call Me by Your Name,” queer film has lagged behind television, which moves faster and has more screen time to fill.

That’s about to change this summer, with the premiere of two mainstream gay comedies: Joel Kim Booster and Andrew Ahn’s indie “Pride and Prejudice” riff “Fire Island” and Billy Eichner’s Judd Apatow-produced big-budget rom-com “Bros.” While only one will get a shot at the box office (catch “Fire Island” streaming on Hulu June 3), both...

Sandra Oh and Stephanie Beatriz will receive special honors at the 2022 Outfest Fusion Qtbipoc Film Festival.

Oh will be presented with the James Schamus Ally Award, which recognizes a great ally to the LGBTQ community, while Beatriz receives the Fusion Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to LGBTQ stories, arts, and media visibility. The honors will be bestowed at the film festival’s opening gala on April 8. The in-person portion of the festival runs from April 8-13, with the program moving online from April 13-17.

With the award, Outfest Fusion recognizes Oh’s work on screen and her public advocacy for the LGBTQ community. Oh has been a longtime supporter of the festival, having attended Outfest Los Angeles for multiple programs, including appearing at the Outfest Honors Gala to benefit their Legacy Project for LGBTQ film preservation and presenting close-friend Alec Mapa with his...

Outfest is launching The OutFronts, a five-day virtual festival that is designed to connect fans with the best in queer episodic television, setting a lineup that includes talent from shows like VH1’s RuPaul’s Drag Race, HBO Max’s It’s a Sin, OWN’s David Makes Man, Freeform’s Everything’s Gonna Be Okay and Showtime’s The L Word: Generation Q.

The inaugural event will kick off Pride month and run June 4-8 on the OutFest Now streaming app. It will offer both free-to-view panel discussions and exclusive members-only premieres including sneak-preview episodes of some shows.

The presentations aim to highlight the diverse representation of LGBTQ+ characters on screen as queer and trans representation continues to increase across TV and movies.

“Outfest has had a tradition of being a place where the networks have come to premiere and discuss their queer stories on network and streaming television – from Ugly Betty,...

Outfest is launching The OutFronts, a five-day digital festival for TV fans that will feature free panel discussions and exclusive members-only content featuring talent from Lgbtqia+ shows and projects. The inaugural event, timed to coincide with Pride Month, is set for June 4-7 with presenting sponsors Hyundai, IMDb and IMDbPro.

Streamed on Outfest Now, the festival’s lineup includes a discussion with the creator and talent from HBO Max’s critically acclaimed Russell Davies limited series It’s a Sin; a panel that will bring together Jonathan Murray (The Real World), Daniel Franzese (Looking), and Patrik-Ian Polk (Noah’s Arc) talking about TV’s depictions of HIV/AIDS; and an event with the creators of ...

Outfest is launching The OutFronts, a five-day digital festival for TV fans that will feature free panel discussions and exclusive members-only content featuring talent from Lgbtqia+ shows and projects. The inaugural event, timed to coincide with Pride Month, is set for June 4-7 with presenting sponsors Hyundai, IMDb and IMDbPro.

Streamed on Outfest Now, the festival’s lineup includes a discussion with the creator and talent from HBO Max’s critically acclaimed Russell Davies limited series It’s a Sin; a panel that will bring together Jonathan Murray (The Real World), Daniel Franzese (Looking), and Patrik-Ian Polk (Noah’s Arc) talking about TV’s depictions of HIV/AIDS; and an event with the creators of ...

NAACP Image Award winner Michaela Coel and Academy Award nominee Andra Day will be honored at the five-day 2021 Outfest Fusion Qtbipoc Film Festival next week.

Coel, known best for creating and starring in “Chewing Gum” and “I May Destroy You,” will be acknowledged with the Fusion Achievement Award; Day, the star of Lee Daniels’ biopic “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” will be presented with the James Schamus Ally Award.

“Coel’s work in ‘Chewing Gum,’ ‘I May Destroy You,’ and more portrays complex characters who have helped open the door for more empathetic conversations about the issues facing members of this Qtbipoc community,” said festival executive director Damien Navarro, in a statement.

Past recipients of the Fusion Achievement Award include Nisha Ganatra, Angela Robinson, Rose Troche, Wilson Cruz, Alec Mapa, Patrik-Ian Polk, Cheryl Dunye, Brickson Diamond and Rikki Beadle-Blair.

“Outfest Fusion believes that honoring one of the most incredible,...

The 2021 Outfest Fusion Qtbipoc Film Festival is set to honor I May Destroy You icon Michaela Coel with the Fusion Achievement Award while The United States Vs. Billie Holiday star and Oscar nominee Andra Day will be honored with the James Schamus Ally Award on April 17. The hybrid fest will take place April 16-20.

The Fusion Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to Lgbtqia+ stories, arts, and media visibility, will honor Coel’s body of work. She is in good company as previous recipients of the honor include Nisha Ganatra, Angela Robinson, Rose Troche, Wilson Cruz, Alec Mapa, Patrik-Ian Polk, Cheryl Dunye, Brickson Diamond, and Rikki Beadle-Blair.

“Coel’s work in Chewing Gum, I May Destroy You, and more portray complex characters who have helped open the door for more empathetic conversations about the issues facing...

Gabrielle Union is executive producing a comedy series in development at Showtime called “New Money,” a spokesperson for the premium cable channel tells TheWrap.

Along with Union and her I’ll Have Another production company, Lodge Freeway Media’s Jemele Hill and Kelley Carter will also executive produce the potential series, which is “centered around Black women who have solidified their careers, achieved financial independence and moved past the awkwardness and money struggles of their twenties,” per its description.

Now in their 30s, the women “must deal with the repercussions their ‘new money’ brings – including hangers-on, false friends, unwanted media attention, and greedy relatives – while also navigating the treacherous world of dating.”

The script for the comedy will be written by Patrik-Ian Polk, who will executive produce alongside Union, Hill and Carter. Holly Shakoor Fleischer is set as a co-executive producer on the project.

Carter works for ESPN’s The Undefeated...

Former ESPN star Jemele Hill is moving into scripted television and has teamed with Gabrielle Union to develop a half-hour comedy series about Black women with financial independence.

New Money, which is based on a story from Hill and The Undefeated journalist Kelley Carter, who run Lodge Freeway Media, is in development at Showtime.

The series is produced by Union’s I’ll Have Another Productions and Sony Pictures TV, where Union’s firm is under a first look deal.

Being Mary Jane writer and producer Patrik-Ian Polk, who is also a co-exec producer on Starz’ P-Valley is attached to write the series.

The show is centered around Black women who have solidified their careers, achieved financial independence and moved past the awkwardness and money struggles of their twenties. Now firmly in their 30s, the ladies must deal with the repercussions their “new money” brings, including hangers-on, false friends, unwanted media attention,...

Gabrielle Union is getting into business with Showtime.

The actor and her I’ll Have Another Productions banner are developing a comedy series called “New Money” at the premium cabler, Variety has learned. The show hails from Sony Pictures Television where I’ll Have Another has a first look deal.

“New Money” was brought to Union by journalists Jemele Hill and Kelley Carter of Lodge Freeway Media, and it represents their company’s first foray into the scripted market. The series is centered around Black women who have solidified their careers, achieved financial independence and moved past the awkwardness and money struggles of their twenties. Now firmly in their 30’s, the shwo’s central ladies must deal with the repercussions their “new money” brings – including hangers-on, false friends, unwanted media attention, and greedy relatives – while also navigating the treacherous world of dating.

Patrik-Ian Polk, whose credits include “P-Valley” and “Being Mary Jane,...

Showtime is looking to Gabrielle Union, Jemele Hill and Kelley Carter for its next comedy.

The premium cable network is developing New Money, based on an original idea by culture writers Hill and Carter and exec produced by Union.

Written by Patrik-Ian Polk (Being Mary Jane, P-Valley), New Money is a half-hour comedy revolving around Black women who have solidified their careers, achieved financial independence and moved past the awkwardness and money struggles of their 20s. Now in their 30s, the ladies must deal with the repercussions their “new money” brings — including hangers-on, false friends, unwanted media attention and ...

Showtime is looking to Gabrielle Union, Jemele Hill and Kelley Carter for its next comedy.

The premium cable network is developing New Money, based on an original idea by culture writers Hill and Carter and exec produced by Union.

Written by Patrik-Ian Polk (Being Mary Jane, P-Valley), New Money is a half-hour comedy revolving around Black women who have solidified their careers, achieved financial independence and moved past the awkwardness and money struggles of their 20s. Now in their 30s, the ladies must deal with the repercussions their “new money” brings — including hangers-on, false friends, unwanted media attention and ...

After months of stay-at-home orders in Los Angeles, writer Patrik-Ian Polk’s partner was itching for a change of scenery. “The boyfriend said, ‘Let’s take a trip,’ ” says Polk, co-executive producer of Starz’s P-Valley. “I wasn’t at all keen on the idea of being around strangers in the middle of a pandemic. So we chose a motel instead of a traditional hotel, which provided very limited contact with staff and other guests. We settled on The M Malibu because it wasn’t too far, but far enough, from home. There’s a marijuana ...

After months of stay-at-home orders in Los Angeles, writer Patrik-Ian Polk’s partner was itching for a change of scenery. “The boyfriend said, ‘Let’s take a trip,’ ” says Polk, co-executive producer of Starz’s P-Valley. “I wasn’t at all keen on the idea of being around strangers in the middle of a pandemic. So we chose a motel instead of a traditional hotel, which provided very limited contact with staff and other guests. We settled on The M Malibu because it wasn’t too far, but far enough, from home. There’s a marijuana ...

Exclusive: Noah, Alex, Ricky and Chance are back! After 12 years, the cast of the groundbreaking, ahead-of-its-time Lgtbq drama Noah’s Arc created by Patrik-Ian Polk is reuniting for a 15th anniversary virtual reunion special which will stream on July 5 at 8pm Edt/ 5pm Pdt on Patrik-Ian Polk Entertainment’s Facebook and YouTube pages

Original cast Darryl Stephens, Jensen Atwood, Rodney Chester, Doug Spearman and Christian Vincent are set to return for the reunion titled Noah’s Arc: The ‘Rona Chronicles, which speaks to the current landscape. The scripted episode will be followed by a live Q&a with Queer Eye‘s Karamo Brown.

The series originally aired for two seasons on Logo from 2005-2007 and made history as the first American TV series that featured all-Black and gay cast of characters. Set in Los Angeles, the series followed a group of friends navigating the gay dating scene. The series wrapped with...

Exclusive: Starz is rounding out it series regular cast for upcoming drama P-Valley (working title). Carolyn Braver (The Iceman Cometh), Parker Sawyers (Pine Gap), Elarica Johnson (Blade Runner 2049) and Harriett D. Foy (Law & Order: Svu) have been cast opposite Brandee Evans and Nicco Annan in Katori Hall’s strip club drama based on her play Pussy Valley. Peter Chernin executive produces.

Created by Hall, who also showruns, the drama is set down deep in the Mississippi Delta, where lies an oasis of grit and glitter in a rough patch of human existence where beauty can be hard to find. The Southern-fried hourlong drama tells the kaleidoscopic story of a little-strip-club-that-could and the big characters who come through its doors: the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful, and the damned. Trap music meets film noir in this lyrical and atmospheric series that dares to ask what happens...

Exclusive: Veteran manager/producer Brad Kaplan has joined Link Entertainment as a partner. Kaplan, who comes from Primary Wave Entertainment, will work out of Link’s West L.A. offices which were expanded last month in part to make room for the company’s growing literary department.

“We have had the privilege to work with Brad in the past and he has been a friend for over 15 years,” the Link partners said in a statement. “He is one of the smartest and most genuine people we have had the pleasure to collaborate with. As we expand our literary/production division, we couldn’t ask for a better partner. We have always admired Brad’s incredible taste in both clients and material”.

Kaplan started his career at Silver Pictures where he worked as a production executive and worked on such films as Lethal Weapon 4, Conspiracy Theory, Executive Decision and The Matrix.

Starz has made two new series orders, picking up Katori Hall’s strip club drama P-Valley (working title) based on her play Pussy Valley, executive produced by Peter Chernin, with Brandee Evans (The Bobby Brown Story) and Nicco Annan (This is Us) attached to star, and confirming a series order for Hightown (fka P-Town), about the opioid crisis, from Rebecca Cutter (Gotham), Gary Lennon (Starz’s Power) and Jerry Bruckheimer TV, and starring Chicago Fire alumna Monica Raymund. Both projects had been originally announced as part of Starz’s developmemt slate.

Shannon Thornton (Power) and J. Alphonse Nicholson (Chicago P.D.) also join P-Valley as series regulars. Created by Hall, who also showruns, the drama is set down deep in the Mississippi Delta, where lies an oasis of grit and glitter in a rough patch of human existence where beauty can be hard to find. The southern-fried, hour-long drama tells...

Starz has given out series orders to two drama series: “P-Valley” from Katori Hall, based on her play “Pussy Valley,” and “Hightown” from Rebecca Cutter.

The Hall project, which has been in development at Starz since 2016, is an hour-long series set deep in the Mississippi Delta. It tells the story of a little-strip-club-that-could and the characters who come through its doors—the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful, and the damned. It will star Brandee Evans as Mercedes and Nicco Annan as Uncle Clifford. Shannon Thornton and J. Alphonse Nicholson will appear as series regulars.

Hall will serve as showrunner and executive producer with Chernin Entertainment executive producing. Khaliah Neal will serve as consulting producer and Patrik-Ian Polk will act as co-executive producer. Award-winning music video director Karena Evans will direct the premiere episode. Starz’ senior vice presidents of original programming Marta Fernandez and Susan Lewis are the executives in charge.

Starz has ordered to series its adaptation of Katori Hall’s stripper play “Pussy Valley” as well as Jerry Bruckheimer’s opioid crisis show “Hightown.”

“Hightown,” formerly called “P-Town,” comes from Rebecca Cutter (“Gotham”), Gary Lennon (“Power”) and Jerry Bruckheimer TV. That name change can probably be attributed to the fact that Hall’s TV version is now tentatively titled “P-Valley” — wouldn’t that have been confusing?

“P-Valley” takes an unapologetic look at the lives of strip club dancers working down in the Dirty Delta, per Starz. Down deep in the Mississippi Delta lies an oasis of grit and glitter in a rough patch of human existence where beauty can be hard to find. This southern-fried, hour-long drama tells the kaleidoscopic story of a little-strip-club-that-could and the big characters who come through its doors — the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful, and the damned.

Also Read: Lionsgate...

Rlj Entertainment and Umc – Urban Movie Channel, have announced the VOD and Digital release of Patrik-Ian Polk's lauded coming-of-age drama "Blackbird," on July 28, 2015, and on Blu-ray and DVD on August 4, 2015. The Blu-ray and DVD include never-before seen special features, including deleted scenes, audition footage, a behind the scenes featurette, and special music video by cast member, D. Woods. Based on the novel of the same name by Larry Duplechan, the film stars Academy Award winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique, Isaiah Washington, Terrell Tilford, D. Woods, Gary L. Gray, Torrey Laamar, Kevin Allesee, Nikki Jane, and introduces breakthrough...

Umc – Urban Movie Channel, an Rlj Entertainment brand, created by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (Bet), opens director Patrik-Ian Polk's lauded coming-of-age drama "Blackbird," today, April 24, 2015, in U.S.A. theaters. Based on the novel of the same name by Larry Duplechan, the film stars Academy Award winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique, Isaiah Washington, Terrell Tilford, D. Woods, Gary L. Gray, Torrey Laamar, Kevin Allesee, Nikki Jane, and introduces breakthrough talent Julian Walker. “I am very excited to bring 'Blackbird' to theaters and to Umc,” said Johnson, adding, “'Blackbird' is in line with my vision for Umc to...

The Boys in the Choir: Polk’s Antiquated Rendition of the Rural Gay Narrative

The blatant underrepresentation of black gay characters in film, whatever letter they’re placed into on the inclusive Lgbt spectrum, is simply not reason enough to appreciate the elemental contrivances of Patrik-Ian Polk’s Blackbird, an independent film rife with cliché in its euphemistic depiction of the rural queer experience that does little to elevate the film’s archaic nature.

The title has been inadvertently thrown into a higher caliber pop culture zeitgeist thanks to its distinction as Mo’Nique’s first post-Oscar role since her 2009 win for Best Supporting Actress in Precious. The significant media coverage concerning potential fallout between herself and director Lee Daniels should enhance the film’s shelf-life beyond the trappings of a niche market. Produced by the actress and her agent/husband Sidney Hicks, the project feels very much like the...

Umc – Urban Movie Channel, an Rlj Entertainment brand, created by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (Bet), will open Patrik-Ian Polk's coming-of-age drama "Blackbird," in U.S. theaters, starting this Friday, April 24, 2015. The film, which is based on the novel of the same name by Larry Duplechan, stars Academy Award winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique, Isaiah Washington, Terrell Tilford, D. Woods, Gary L. Gray, Torrey Laamar, Kevin Allesee, Nikki Jane, and introduces breakthrough talent Julian Walker. With past films like "The Skinny" and "Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom,"...

Umc – Urban Movie Channel, an Rlj Entertainment brand, created by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (Bet), have set an April 24, 2015 U.S. theatrical release date for director Patrik-Ian Polk's coming-of-age drama "Blackbird," which is based on the novel of the same name by Larry Duplechan. The film stars Academy Award winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique, Isaiah Washington, Terrell Tilford, D. Woods, Gary L. Gray, Torrey Laamar, Kevin Allesee, Nikki Jane, and introduces breakthrough talent Julian Walker. “I am very excited to bring 'Blackbird' to theaters and to Umc,” said Johnson, adding, “'Blackbird' is in line with my vision for Umc...

London Lgbt film festival records biggest box office to date.

BFI Flare: London Lgbt Film Festival concluded on Sunday (March 29) with the European premiere of Malcolm Ingram’s new documentary, Out To Win, celebrating the battle for equality by Lgbt sports people. Special guests included director Malcolm Ingram and basketball star John Amaechi.

The closing night screening broke all box office records in the festival’s 29 years, with audiences of more than 23,500 recorded over the 11-day festival - up by 6.8% on the previous year.

This year’s festival also saw a step-change in industry attendance with a substantial increase in delegate accreditation, including 120 film-makers and more than 200 other industry attendees.

An expanded industry offering included a series of daily workshops on all aspects of film-making, fund-raising, marketing and the creative process.

Mentorship

The inaugural BFI Flare Mentorship programme in association with Creative Skillset was launched with five film-makers.

A partnership between BFI Flare and the British Council...

Umc – Urban Movie Channel, an Rlj Entertainment brand, created by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (Bet), have set an April 24, 2015 U.S. theatrical release date for director Patrik-Ian Polk's coming-of-age drama "Blackbird," which is based on the novel of the same name by Larry Duplechan. The film stars Academy Award winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique, Isaiah Washington, Terrell Tilford, D. Woods, Gary L. Gray, Torrey Laamar, Kevin Allesee, Nikki Jane, and introduces breakthrough talent Julian Walker. “I am very excited to bring 'Blackbird' to theaters and to Umc,” said Johnson, adding, “'Blackbird' is in line with my vision for Umc...

Five years after winning a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in “Precious,” Mo’Nique is returning to theaters in “Blackbird.” The independent drama centers on a deeply religious high school student in a small Mississippi town, who struggles with the fact that he may be gay. Mo’Nique plays the teen’s mother and also executive produced the film with her husband Sidney Hicks. She told TheWrap that director Patrik-Ian Polk cast Mississippi college student Julian Walker in the lead role because no top African-American talent in Los Angeles would sign on for the project. Also Read: Mo'Nique...

In addition to upcoming turns in HBO's Bessie Smith biopic, and Patrik-Ian Polk's indie drama "Blackbird," both set to premiere this spring, Mo'Nique is also headlining another lesser-known indie drama titled "About," from Rareform Pictures, and writer, director, producer Vw Scheich, and co-writer Uyen Le. Weaving together 13 different stories, each based on real-life events, through extensive interviews with everyday people, director Vw Scheich collected pivotal moments in the lives of these people, each struggling with to get over some specific hurdle - loss, homelessness, addiction, and suicidal tendencies. Mo'Nique is most likely the best known of all the...

Umc – Urban Movie Channel, an Rlj Entertainment brand, created by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (Bet), today announced the April 24, 2015, U.S. theatrical release of director Patrik-Ian Polk's coming-of-age drama "Blackbird," which is based on the novel by the same name by Larry Duplechan. The film stars Academy Award winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique, Isaiah Washington, Terrell Tilford, D. Woods, Gary L. Gray, Torrey Laamar, Kevin Allesee, Nikki Jane and introduces breakthrough talent Julian Walker. “I am very excited to bring 'Blackbird' to theaters and to Umc,” said Johnson, adding, “'Blackbird' is in line with my vision...

NewFest, New York's Lgbt film festival held annually with the support of Outfest and Lincoln Center, has announced the lineup for its 2014 program, scheduled for July 24-29. Karim Aïnouz's "Futuro Beach," a dark, sexy romance about a Brazilian lifeguard who rescues a German tourist from the treacherous Praia do Futuro and embarks on a steamy romance with him, will open this year's festival with its New York City premiere.  Bruce Labruce's "Gerontophilia," about a young gay man who takes a job in a nursing home and develops an attraction to one of his elderly charges, is scheduled as the closing night film. Highlights of the five-day festival include "The Circle," Stephen Haupt's look at 1950s gay life in Zurich that nabbed the Teddy Award at this year's Berlinale, "Lilting," a Sundance selection starring Ben Whishaw and directed by Hong Khaou, "Blackbird," Patrik-Ian Polk's drama about a devout choir boy in conservative.

Thanks to our good friend Chance Calloway for reminding me about Blackbird, a movie we first heard about in mid-February this year. It’s back in the conversation now because...

The 26th edition of New York’s Lgbt festival NewFest will run from July 24-29 and features 16 narrative and five documentary features.

The New York City premiere of Karim Aïnouz’s Futuro Beach opens NewFest, which is being staged in partnership with Outfest and the Film Society Of Lincoln Center, while Bruce Labruce’s Gerontophila is the closing night selection.

The roster includes Stephan Haupt’s 2014 Berlinale Teddy Award winner The Circle, Patrik-Ian Polk’s Blackbird, Carter Smith’s Sundance entry Jamie Marks Is Dead and the world premiere of Kate Kunath’s We Came To Sweat: The Legend Of Starlite, a documentary about Brooklyn’s oldest gay bar.

“This marks the fourth year of having NewFest at the Film Society and we couldn’t be happier to continue our collaboration with Outfest,” said Film Society Of Lincoln Center’s executive director Lesli Klainberg.

“Lgbt films and filmmakers are a vital part of cinema worldwide, and we are...

My film "Blackbird" is now called "beyond the lights." Had to make the change. Hurt like hell but everything happens for a reason...— Gina PrinceBythewood (@GPBmadeit) June 14, 2014 It was likely inevitable as I've said in the past, given that the seemingly popular title also belonged to 2 other films that will be in release within the next 12 months: Patrik-Ian Polk's 5th feature film, which stars Isaiah Washington and Mo'Nique, titled "Blackbird," and David Mamet's thriller starring Cate Blanchett, also "Blackbird." Polk's film is currently traveling the film festival circuit, while Mamet's is set for release in 2015. Bet announced in...

Isaiah Washington has been busy lately, both on the big and small screen - from his acclaimed performance in Blue Caprice, John Sayles' drama/thriller, Go For Sisters, to joining the cast of The CW post-apocalyptic series, The 100. He can currently be seen in Patrik-Ian Polk's drama Blackbird, co-starring with Mo’Nique, as it travels the film festival circuit, and he will return to reprise his original role as surgeon Dr. Preston Burke on ABC's Shonda Rhimes medical drama Grey's Anatomy, 7 years after he was dropped from the show, after on-set controversies involving...

One of the highlights of this year's Pan African Film Festival was an evening hosted by actor and producer Isaiah Washington and sponsored by Bulleit Bourbon. Washington, who had three projects in the festival this year (Patrik-Ian Polk's Blackbird, Alexandre Moors' Blue Caprice and Stacey Muhammad's For Colored Boys) invited a small group of writers to dinner, where he discussed his life and career and what he looks to accomplish next. Specifically, he addressed his career trajectory since his highly-publicized exit from ABC's Grey's Anatomy back in 2007. He and his wife, who celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary on the night of the event, shared the toll that the period...

With past films like The Skinny and Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom, writer-director Patrik-Ian Polk has become known for steamy ensemble dramedies about the lives and romantic woes of black gay men. His latest, Blackbird, while focused on a younger set of characters with tamer sexual history, has Polk’s imprint all over it, painting a vivid picture of the struggle, shame and awkwardness that comes with growing up black and gay in a tiny Mississippi town.Newcomer Julian Walker stars as Randy, a good-natured choirboy with a gorgeous voice and a host of personal issues – his little sister’s disappearance, the separation of his parents (played by Mo’Nique and Isaiah Washington), his...

Mo’Nique‘s commanding presence has made her a thrilling comedienne, a ferocious talk show host (not to mention an effective emcee at the Apollo), and an Academy Award-winning actress.

In the four years since she picked up an Oscar for her universally lauded work in Lee Daniels‘ Precious as a monstrous, tragic mother, she’s chosen projects selectively and spent more time with her husband and three kids. Thankfully for us, she’s returning to the big screen with Blackbird, director Patrik-Ian Polk‘s feature about a teenage boy (Julian Walker) who struggles with his sexuality, religion, and familial woes in a small Southern Baptist town. Mo’Nique plays the boy’s religious, confused mother who, along with her husband (Isaiah Washington), questions her son’s identity.

To celebrate the movie’s recent premiere at the Pan African Film Festival, we caught up with Mo’Nique to discuss her history with gay men,...