Star Actor and Rising Filmmaker on Diversifying the Film Business
OMARI HARDWICK, STAR OF STARZ HIT SERIES, “POWER”
JANLATAE MULLINS, 2017 WINNER, REAL TO REEL
For the second year, Gentleman Jack and Codeblack Entertainment are helping support and celebrate the next wave of Black filmmakers. Gentleman Jack Real to Reel wants to open doors for the “Undaunted Striver” – black filmmakers who strive to have their voices heard. This year’s competition provides one winning filmmaker an exclusive screening of their short film in Miami and $10,000 to help further their filmmaking dreams.
Real to Reel is a national competition open to filmmakers age 21+ who submit an original short film online at www.gentlemanjackfilm.com through May 8, 2018. Fans will also have an opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist short films online May 11-21, 2018. Real to Reel will host screenings in six cities to showcase talent from emerging Black filmmakers in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Dallas and Miami.
Omari and Janlatae discuss:
- What it takes to succeed in the industry
- How they’d like to see the industry evolve
- Practical advice to striving filmmakers
- Their current and upcoming projects
About Omari Hardwick: Omari stars as James “Ghost” St. Patrick on the hit Starz Original Series “Power” and was the 2018 NAACP Image Award Winner. Omari will next appear in Boots Riley’s dark social comedy “Sorry to Bother You” alongside Tessa Thompson, Armie Hammer and Lakeith Stanfield. Omari made his TV series debut in Showtime’s “Sucker Free City” for director Spike Lee. In addition to acting, Hardwick is an accomplished poet and spoken work artist. Here’s Omari discussing why his collaboration with Gentleman Jack Real to Reel is so important.
Janlatae Mullins (pronounced JANN-la-tay): Janlatae is an award-winning writer, director and producer based in Atlanta. She is the 2017 Gentleman Jack Real to Reel national contest winner for her short film, “Soul Fire.” Set in 1945, “Soul Fire” explores life, love and remembrance. In addition to directing, Janlatae also produces independent feature films and commercials and wrote a pilot for Sci-Fi TV. Here’s a link to the trailer of Mullins’ award-winning “Soul Fire.”
