Black Film Space is proud to serve as the fiscal sponsor for the short film Men Like Us.

Black Film Space's fiscal sponsorship program allows for members to use its 501(c)(3) non-profit tax-exempt status to receive tax-deductible donations on the film's behalf and solicit charitable contributions throughout the production process.

Men Like Us has been chosen after careful evaluation from our board, and we believe it supports our mission to provide career advancing opportunities for Black filmmakers.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

PROJECT TYPE: Digital Series
GENRE: Dramedy
PROJECT STATUS: Post-Production
CREATOR/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER/WRITER: Sideeq Heard
CREATOR: Donathan Walters
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Stephen Szmed
PRODUCER: Darren Heard
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Jarvis Green
WRITER/ SCRIPT SUPERVISOR: Jarvis Matthews
WRITER: Tevin Scott
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Khadija Roane
UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Jonathan Burke & Eric Emauni
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Gabby Irving
HAIR & MAKE-UP/ WARDROBE: Jeffery Glenn
LEAD ACTOR: Denzel Fields, Deon Releford-Lee, & Maurice Alpharicio

LOGLINE:

Three queer men searching for community in the big apple are thrown into chaos after a leaked sex tape, a surprise proposal, and a disastrous audition force them to confront their deepest fears.

SYNOPSIS:

In the heart of New York City, three men are about to have their lives flipped upside down. When a scandalous sex tape threatens to destroy Vincent's reputation, this gay party promoter scrambles to salvage his legendary Wet & Wild Birthday Bash—only to discover, live on a podcast, that the leak came from a close confidant. Across town, Elijah, a fiercely independent bisexual gym manager, is blindsided by a public marriage proposal from his boyfriend— unearthing a dangerous tug-of-war between desire and doubt. Meanwhile, Angelo, a struggling pansexual actor, walks into the audition of a lifetime—only to be humiliated and pushed to choose between self-respect and playing a stereotype to survive. Their separate worlds collide one fateful night in a city park, where a chance hookup leads to an unexpected realization: they’ve been connected all along. As secrets unravel and tensions boil over, everything comes to a head at Vincent’s chaotic birthday bash, where a shocking nightclub shooting forces the trio into the spotlight as unlikely heroes. Brought together by scandal, betrayal, and survival, these three queer men must confront who they are—and who they’re becoming—in a city that never stops watching.

TEAM

SIDEEQ HEARD, (Creator/ Director/ Producer/ Writer)

A multi-hyphenate, award-winning director, actor and rapper. Associate Director of the Tony Nominated Broadway production FAT HAM. Former Associate Artistic Director at JAG Productions. Awarded Best Director for short film Here is a Man at the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival and nominated for a LADCC Award, and Broadway World San Diego Award both for Best Director. Recent directing credits include, UPCOMING FAT HAM at Royal Shakespeare Company in the UK , FAT HAM at San Diego’s Old Globe, FAT HAM at The Geffen Playhouse. Rhyme Deferred at Howard University; The Waiting Room an original play devised and co-written by Sideeq with Artreach Inc. premiering at the Eugene O’Neil Center; A Curious Thing at JAG’s Theatre on the Hill festival; Word Becomes Flesh at NYU’s Freeplay Festival; a staged reading of “Fat Ham” at the American Airlines Theatre with Adam Drivers AAF Inc.Stream Sideeq’s single Fatal Attraction on all music platforms! BFA: Howard University. MFA: NYU Grad Acting. IG; sideeqthegreat

DONATHAN WALTERS, (Creator)

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Donathan Walters holds a BFA in Screen Acting and a minor in Film Production from Chapman University, where he wrote, directed, and produced several short films, honing skills in front of and behind the camera. He further earned his Master in Acting from NYU Graduate Acting Program, class of 2022. Donathan made his NYC Theatrical debut in the Classical Theater of Harlem acclaimed production of Twelfth Night. Some of Donathan acting credits also include the NBA 2k18 and 2k19 video games, Uber, and TV shows like Evil & Elsbeth, on Paramount+. Donathan brings a passion for developing new content and gauging conversation in the community to bridge generational gaps and hidden traumas amongst black people. While co-creating Men Like Us, in 2023, Donathan was also chosen to participate in The Gatekeeper Collective Learning to Love fellowship, where he wrote Hope In Pieces, a one-act play that highlights the relationship of technology, love, and cultural expectation between two same-gendered lovingstrangers. Donathan wishes to continue using art as therapy and a conduit to healing for others.

STEPHEN SZMED, (Director of Photography)

Originally from the plains of Kansas, at 13, Stephen picked up a camera, started making films with his friends, then never really stopped.His work takes him across the US shooting documentaries, commercials, narratives, and music videos. Stephen views cinematography as equal parts art and science, his practice focuses on building a visual language with his collaborators and finding the aesthetic principles rooted in each story.

DARREN HEARD, (Producer)

Originally from Newark, New Jersey, Darren Heard is a Miami-based filmmaker and Army combat veteran known for his dynamic approach to storytelling and production leadership. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the New York Film Academy (NYFA) in Miami Beach, and a Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta, Georgia. Throughout his career, Darren has collaborated with major production companies including ESPN, NBC, CNBC, BET, and Revolt TV, contributing his expertise to diverse film and commercial projects. He has written, directed, and produced three short films—each receiving festival acclaim—with his latest project, "Puppy Love," as his most successful work to date. Currently, Darren is adapting a feature screenplay projected for completion in fall 2027, with the ambition to produce and direct the film by the end of 2028. His passion and dedication continue to drive his impactful contributions to the film industry.

JARVIS GREEN, (Executive Producer)

Jarvis Antonio Green is a stage director, producer, and cultural worker based in montréal. he is the founder and former producing artistic director of jag productions, a vermont and nyc-based company dedicated to creating spaces for Black and queer storytelling in the American theatre. During his tenure at jag, he directed and produced acclaimed productions including Choir Boy, Next to Normal, Fences, and Lady Day at Emerson's bar & grill, and launched jagfest, a new works festival for Black playwrights. Jarvis' visionary leadership helped shape JAG into one of the leading incubators for Black theatre in the U.S. His artistic practice lives at the intersection of community, care, and cultural reclamation, always centering stories that awaken possibility and reimagine freedom. Now based in Montréal, Jarvis is expanding his creative work across mediums, writing his first book, and hosting le cookbook club—a seasonal gathering where shared meals and staged readings spark storytelling and connection.

JARVIS MATTHEWS, (Writer/ Script Supervisor)

Jarvis D. Matthews (he/they), actor/writer/founder of YOJI Productions, creates films that embrace nuanced perspectives of the Black American experience centering love and redemption as the guiding force. He has written and produced the short films LOVE IS (Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival), THE REAL THING, and HERE IS A MAN: an official selection at the 2023 REEL Sisters Film Festival (Best Director), Katra Film Series, People’s Film Festival of Harlem, and Diversity in Cannes Showcase (France). His most recent short, FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS, is set to premiere this year. As Head of Production for PRIDE: The Podcast, he’s heavily invested in amplifying Black LGBTQIA+ voices. Their acting work has been featured at the Apollo, the Public, Shakespeare in the Park, Williamstown, National Black Theatre, Yale Repertory, MAX, PBS, Tribeca, Austin Film Festival, and GARAGE Magazine. Jarvis graduated from Georgetown University (BA) and NYU (MFA).

TEVIN SCOTT, (Writer)

Tevin Scott is a multidisciplinary artist from Charleston, SC. A graduate of Howard University, Tevin honed his filmmaking skills in undergrad before moving to LA to pursue a career in film and television. His professional tv production staff credits include BET’s The Quad, HBO’s Insecure, Netflix’s Raising Dion, and Netflix’s My Life With The Walter Boys.

KHADIJA ROANE, (Associate Producer)

Khadija Jamila Roane is a Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, and intimacy coordinator who tells stories that demand to be felt. Her work centers BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices, weaving striking visuals with raw emotional depth. Whether producing, writing, or directing, she is drawn to narratives that challenge, seduce, and linger long after the credits roll. A graduate of Howard University (BFA) and UCLA (MFA), Khadija has produced several award-winning short films. Her screenplay BELLA NOVA was a Quarterfinalist at the Atlanta Film Festival and a Finalist in the Pittsburgh Shorts Script Competition. She is also a recipient of the Dan Angel Family Award and Barbara Boyle Promising Producer Award. With experience in development at MACRO, Vertigo Films, Game changer Films, and Pamplona Productions with Amy Lippman, Khadija brings both industry insight and an artist’s soul to every project. She’s committed to telling stories that are bold, intimate, and unapologetically alive.

JONATHAN BURKE, (Unit Production Manager)

Jonathan Burke is an Obie Award winning actor/writer/producer and is one the co-creators, executive producers and stars of the series in development, "Not Looking." As an actor, he can be seen as 'Eric' on Prime Video’s, “Harlem,” on NBC’s “New Amsterdam,” Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” EPIX’s “Bridge and Tunnel” and in the short films, The Distinguished, on The Roku Channel, and Noah’s Arc: The ‘Rona Chronicles. On Broadway, he appeared in The Inheritance (Tony Award - Best Play) and Choir Boy. Jonathan appeared Off-Broadway in CATS: "The Jellicle Ball" (Obie Award - Special Citation) at PAC NYC, in Toni Stone with Roundabout Theatre Company, in Patience with Second Stage Theater, in Love & Science at NY City Center Stage II, and in Joan of Arc: Into the Fire at the Public Theater. Facebook: Jonathan Burke; X: @itsjonburke; Instagram: @itsjonathanburke

ERIC EMAUNI, (Unit Production Manager)

Eric is a Tony nominated producer, world builder, and Founder of Iconic Vizion Productions; creating transformative spaces for artists and fueling truth. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, he has been fortunate to work with esteemed cultural institutions such as Harlem Stage, The Public Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, LAByrinth Theater Company, The TEAM, National Black Theatre, And PAC NYC. He has also worked with several commerical producing offices including Maximum Entertainment Productions. Eric is an alum of TedxBroadway Young Professionals, Theater Producers of Color, and Beth Morrison Producers Academy. He is also the recipient of the AKA 500 Hour Producers of Color Initiative, the I AM SOUL Producer in Residence at National Black Theatre, Petri Project Artist with The TEAM, Prince/TTLP Fellow, and Member of the Broadway League. Eric graduated from Morehouse College with a BA in Psychology and Theater and earned an MFA in Acting from LIU Post. Credits: Off-Broadway: Kinky Boots. Broadway: Is This A Room, Dana H (2 Tony Awards®️), A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, FAT HAM (Pulitzer-Prize Winner, 5 Tony Nominations). For more please visit www.iconicvizion.com; IG: @iconicvizion

GABBY IRVING, (Production Designer)

Gabby Irving (she/they) is a New York based designer originally from Chester, PA. She has received training through Howard University, SCAD, and hands-on work from many friends and mentors. She believes in art as a vehicle for love and social change and has had the honor of working on the following: Broadway: Harry Potter & The Cursed Child (Special Effects & Props Sub), Romeo + Juliet (Assoc. Special Effects Designer), Enemy of the People (Production Props Assist.) Off-Broadway: The Welkin (Assoc. Special Effects Designer), TEETH (Assoc. Special Effects Designer), Dream a Little Dream (Assist. Set Designer, Props Designer) Regional: BUST (Assoc. Special Effects Designer) Film/TV: SNL
(Special Effects Assist.), Men Like Us (Co-Production Designer), Exposed: The Series (Set Dresser), Perfect Circle (Set Builder & Dresser) More about her work can be found at gabbyirvingdesigns.squarespace.com She sends a special thank you to all the producers, crew, and cast of Men Like Us for a wonderful fulfilling experience. alis volat propriis

JEFFERY GLENN, (Hair & Make-up/ Wardrobe)

Jeffery Glenn is a multi-disciplinary artist with over a decade of experience in both costume and makeup design. After receiving formal training and a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Howard University, he has continued his experience through a broad range of areas from the commercial beauty/fashion industry, makeup design for the stage, to television and film. Jeffery Glenn’s work has been seen in magazines worldwide including Glamour UK, Selin, Sheen, and Malvie. His work can also be seen across multiple network series including Emmy nominated “A House Divided”, to music videos, tech campaigns, and more.

DENZEL FIELDS, (Lead Actor)

Denzel Fields, originally from Memphis, TN, is a New York–based actor, singer, recording artist, and public speaker. He holds a B.A. from Morehouse College and an M.F.A. from Penn State University. His stage work includes Much Ado About Nothing on PBS Great Performances at the Public Theater, Choir Boy and Twelfth Night at Yale Repertory Theatre, Twelfth Night with the Classical Theatre of Harlem, Dreamgirls at the Paramount Theatre, and A Soulful Christmas in New York. On screen, he has appeared in a national commercial for American Express and the NBA Trade campaign. As a recording artist, his singles “Realized” and “Love On a Bridge” are available on all major streaming platforms. Denzel is driven by a love for storytelling and a desire to share that journey while supporting others along the way

DEON RELEFORD-LEE (Lead Actor)

MASHALLAH!!! An Army Brat, HBCU Grad, World Traveler, Artist, Death Doula, Food Maker, Rump Shaker, Generational Curse Breaker based out of New York. Last Seen in TAKE THE LEAD a new musical based on a true story, and 2006 film of the same name, at Paper Mill Playhouse.
TV/Film: Matthew in “For The Boys” (Slay TV), Always (Film), Know Justice Know Peace (Short) Broadway: TINA-The Tina Turner Musical (Ike), Broadway National Tour: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Drifter) Off-Broadway: The Bandaged Place (Roundabout) Regional: Jelly’s Last
Jam (Jelly)...Love Always: Love All Ways. @deonsbohemia

MAURICE ALPHARICIO ( Lead Actor)

Durham, NC native. U.S Army Veteran & proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Tours: TINA - The Tina Turner Musical. Regional: RENT in Concert at the Rady Shell, Dreamgirls, Choir Boy, Songs for A New World, The Brothers Size, Hairspray. New York Film Academy, BFA Graduate. Film/TV Credits: Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story, The Equalizer, Raising Kanan. IG:@_mauricealpharicio

Men Like Us

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