Kasi Lemmons: Last News

Cynthia Erivo's role in a highly praised 2019 historical drama garnered her not just one, but two Academy Award nominations.

Naomi Ackie plays the role of iconic singer Whitney Houston in the new movie I Wanna Dance With Somebody and fans are probably wondering if that’s actually her singing in the film.

Angelique Jackson When Kerry Washington stepped onto the gold and black carpet at the 1 Hotel in West Hollywood for the fifth ABFF Honors ceremony on March 5, she had the trailblazing Black women who forged a path for her to become an actor, producer and director on her mind — and an homage to one on her person. “I’m wearing an actual dress that Whitney Houston wore,” Washington told Variety, explaining that “When you get an award for excellence in the arts, you’ve gotta go to Black excellence.” As Washington prepared for the event, where she was honored alongside Courtney B. Vance, Janelle Monáe and Macro’s Charles D. King, plus filmmaker Kasi Lemmons and the cast of “Eve’s Bayou,” all for their contributions to the arts, one word came to mind: community.

Taking the stage in theaters at the tail end of 2022, the Whitney Houston biopic “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” is a crowd-pleasing homage to the life, legacy, and work of an icon who sold over 200 million records worldwide. One of the year’s last films is also one of the best as a shared theatrical experience.

Naomi Ackie is giving fans a look at «the Whitney you never knew» in the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic, The Star Wars actress is embodying the late diva in the film, due out this December, and fans got a first look at her portrayal of the legendary vocalist when the first trailer dropped on Thursday.The trailer begins with Whitney's origins as a New Jersey choir girl, who steps on stage for her mother, Cissy (Tamara Tunie), one night when legendary record exec Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci) is in the audience. And the rest is history...The trailer gives a look at some iconic Whitney looks and moments, including her fun «How Will I Know» music video, the sultry «It's Not Right, But It's Okay» look and, of course, her iconic performance of the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXV.The biopic, which is directed by  director Kasi Lemmons and written by  Anthony McCarten, also stars Ashton Sanders as Bobby Brown, Nafessa Williams as Robyn Crawford, Clarke Peters as John Houston, and more.Watch the full trailer below:Ackie spoke with ET about playing Houston last May, just after her casting was announced, and she made a point to assure fans everywhere that she was «doing the work» to prepare for the massive role. «I’m going to try my best because that woman — it sends shivers down my spine how much she means to me, the world, Black women, African American women,» she said at the time. «I’m going to throw my everything into making sure she is represented properly.” “I just want to tell her story.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterFor the first time in two years, Tribeca Festival is going back indoors.After canceling the 2020 edition and staying mostly outside in 2021, the annual gathering is returning to traditional premieres, panels and parties to celebrate its 21st edition. It’s also staying put in Manhattan, a change from last year’s version that spanned all five boroughs of New York City.“We’re back to normal,” says Jane Rosenthal, who founded Tribeca Festival with Robert De Niro in 2002. “We are watching things together as a community.

Angelique Jackson In its 26th year, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is more star-studded than ever, with a robust lineup of Black film and television stars and creators.After two years of COVID-related pivots, the festival returns to South Beach in Miami for a five-day engagement full of special screenings, panel discussions and events celebrating the Black film and television community. Among the talent joining ABFF festival ambassador Issa Rae, who will debut her new HBO Max series “Rap Sh!t” at the festival are Chanté Adams, Yahya Abdul- Mateen II, Kenya Barris, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Ben Crump, Michael Ealy, DeVon Franklin, Kasi Lemmons, Judge Greg Mathis, LisaRaye McCoy, Kyla Pratt, Trevante Rhodes, Kendrick Sampson, Robin Thede, Judge Lynn Toler, Susan Kelechi Watson and Salli Richardson Whitfield, among many others.

Naomi Ackie is saving all her love for the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”!

Naomi Ackie is saving all her love for the upcoming Whitney Houston biopic, TheStar Wars actress is embodying the late diva in the film, due out this December, and fans got a first look at her portrayal of the legendary vocalist when the poster was released on Monday. The biopic is directed by director Kasi Lemmons and written by Anthony McCarten.On the poster, Ackie's Houston is standing facing the heavens with her arms outstretched.

Cheryl Dunye in ‘Watermelon Woman.’ (Photo courtesy of First Run Features)