Black Film Space is proud to serve as the fiscal sponsor for the short film NOLA: The Beginning.

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.

NOLA: The Beginning has been chosen after careful evaluation from our board, and we believe it supports our mission to provide career advancing opportunities for Black filmmakers.

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ABOUT THE PROJECT

PROJECT TYPE: Short Film
GENRE: Supernatural Drama
PROJECT STATUS: Pre-Production
WRITER/PRODUCER/ACTOR: Mildred Marie Langford
DIRECTOR: Andi Chapman
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Andria Chamberlin
PRODUCERS: Kimberly Allen, Salena Hutcherson, Lysa Myles & Tiffany Oglesby
PRODUCER/ACTOR: Jules Bruff
IMPACT PRODUCER: Jessica Estelle Huggins

LOGLINE:

After an unexpected encounter with a centuries-old mystical and ethereal figure, a young and determined enslaved mother will stop at nothing to secure the life and fate of her new born baby.

SYNOPSIS:

Nola and her seven-year-old daughter, Asha, return home from the funeral of Nola’s twelve-year-old nephew Nathan. A fate reminiscent of the killing of twelve-year-old Tamir Rice. While putting Asha to bed that night, Nola is gently coaxed by her daughter into telling her the story of the Field Angel: a centuries-old mystical and ethereal figure with the ability to surrender or to sacrifice a life. Asha knows it’s a story that will comfort them both.

Amid Nola’s narrative, we’re transported to a 19th century plantation - the ancestry of our Nola of the 21st century - where the Field Angel ascends from the field to carry away the dying baby of another enslaved mother. Nola is among the crowd witnessing this tragedy. The Angel notices Nola attending to her own sick newborn. The two make eye contact. Desperate to keep her child and to keep her child safe, Nola runs to seek refuge pursued by the Angel. A tense confrontation ensues with the life of Nola’s baby hanging in the balance.

TEAM

MILDRED MARIE LANGFORD (Writer/Producer/Actor)

Mildred is an LA-based actor, writer, producer and Founder & CEO of Little Black Pearl Production. A new faith based and social justice focused independent production company founded to highlight strong female-driven and transformative narratives by women of color in front of and behind the lens. Mildred has an extensive background in Theatre with notable works that include; MACBETH, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH and THE BLUEST EYE at A Noise Within Theatre; NOTES FROM THE FIELD (Jeff Award & Black Excellence Award nominations), the World Premiere of BOULEVARD OF BOLD DREAMS by New York Times Bestselling author, LaDarrion Williams, for the Young Adult Novel BLOOD AT THE ROOT; A RAISIN IN THE SUN (BTAA Nomination), MY KIND OF TOWN and IN DARFUR (Black Excellence Award Nomination, Timeline Theatre), THE GREAT JHERI CURL DEBAT (East West Players), INTIMATE APPAREL (Northlight Theatre, BTAA, Jeff Award and Black Excellence Award Nominations for Best Actress), GUNSHOT MEDLEY: PART 1 (CAB/Rogue Machine Theatre, Ovation Nomination, Lead Actress), NORA and NATIVE SON (Antaeus Theatre Company/Kirk Douglas Theatre 2019 Block Party), DOMESTICATED, ANIMAL FARM, VENUS and THE CRUCIBLE (Steppenwolf Theatre), THE ROYALE (American Theatre Company, BTAA Winner, Best Featured Actress), LUCK OF THE IRISH (Next Theatre), A RAISIN IN THE SUN(Milwaukee Rep), FAILURE: A LOVE STORY (Victory Gardens). Her television and film credits include; WILL TRENT, GREY’S ANATOMY, Amazon’s BOSCH, OWN’s DELILAH, CHICAGO MED, MASTERS OF SEX, BOSS, COTTON CANDY BUBBLE GUM, MORNING STEEP, THE GOOD SIDE OF BAD, GROW UP, DIMENSIONAL SHIFT, ANALYSIS PARALYSIS, MAGIC FUNHOUSE, YOUR BEAUTIFUL BABY and CONCRETE ROSE She wrote, produced, and led THE THREE PHASES OF ISA and JUSTICE FOR EZRA. She is the co-creator, co-writer and co-executive producer of the new pilot GRIEF IS NORMAL and for the six-episode dramedy series COMMUNE, and is a co-producer and co-writer of the new series TICKER. Mildred is also a co-founding member of The Black Creators Collective, a nonprofit arts organization

ANDI CHAPMAN, (Director)

Andi is a director, actor, and educator. She is the Associate Artistic Director of The Ebony Repertory Theatre in Los Angeles. Her notable Theatre directing credits include MACBETH and THE BLUEST EYE at A Noise Within Theatre; SHE, THE ABUELAS and NATIVE SON at Antaeus & Kirk Douglas Theatres (nominated for Best Director by Stage Raw & Broadway World); Ebony Repertory Theatre's THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS (14 Ovation nominations including Best Play & Best Play Direction; won Best Producer at NAACP 2016 Theatre Awards); The Actor's Co-op STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Best Director) and more. Andi has worked as an Assistant Director for The Center Theatre Group with Phylicia Rashad on JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE and A RAISIN IN THE SUN (Ovation Award for Best Play). She directed award-winning short films THE THREE PHASES OF ISA, MEMORIAL STREET, ELIJAH’S SONG and WHY?

ANDRIA CHAMBERLIN, (Director of Photography)

Andria started her cinematography career filming documentaries in diverse regions of the world - from Africa to Iceland to the American Southwest. Her background in documentaries informs her narrative style with an ingrained aesthetic that is organic, cinematic and thoughtful. She currently shoots feature films, short films and commercials -ranging from horror to comedy to fantasy and sci, with a unique style that crosses all genres. Her films have screened and won awards in the U.S. and internationally. She’s collaborated with dozens of directors and producers, and enjoys a creative relationship with every team on each project. She studied film at Boston University and has degrees in both Film/TV and History.

KIMBERLY ALLEN (Producer)

Staff Writer on KOLD X WINDY, the new television drama series that launched in January 2023 on WeTV and streams on ALLBLK, is a native of Detroit, Michigan and has passionately pursued screenwriting since moving to Los Angeles. Kim directed and produced her first short film that she co-wrote with director/producer Zelie Dember-Slack - a political comedy titled THE AVERAGE AMERICAN, which screened at film festivals internationally and aired on television in over one hundred markets nationwide through the online platform African American Short Films. She has also worked on other various independent films including POETRI N' MOTION, THE BORED ROOM, THE VOTE, THE SWEETEST HEIR, UNDER THE SUN, TRUCK, DARK CHOCOLATE, THE THREE PHASES OF ISA and TICKER, expanding her experience as a filmmaker.

JULES BRUFF, (Producer/Actor)

Jules is an actor and filmmaker. Her second feature as writer/producer/actor, GOOD SIDE OF BAD, starring Golden Globe winner Tess Harper and Emmy winner Kim Estes, just won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Festival of Cinema NYC. She wrote, produced, and starred in the indie hit feature PART TIME FABULOUS. Jules won Best Actress Awards at the Monaco Film Festival and the Los Angeles Feel Good Film Festival for her star turn in the movie. She acted with Mindy Sterling in the award- winning film festival comedy FOR MURIEL. She played the Zodiac killer’s sister-in-law in David Fincher’s classic film ZODIAC. You can see Jules in T.V. shows such as S.W.A.T,, LUCIFER, W.A.C.O., and over 70 national commercials

JESSICA ESTELLE HUGGINS, (Impact Producer)

Jessica is a Boston native and an Emmy-nominated Filmmaker. Various films that she has produced have been accepted into dozens of film festivals around the country and have received awards. Titles include Emmy-nominated short documentary, THE MURAL MASTER, THE DANCING DIPLOMAT, MEMOIRS OF A BLACK GIRL, BLACK WOMEN SHINE (podcast), CHI~VOICES: A Poetic Film Series, PERFECT DAY and more. Huggins has served as a production, distribution and impact strategist for many documentary organizations including Brave New Films, ITVS, Documentary Educational Resources, The Redford Center, Picture Motion and Another Age Productions. Huggins currently works as the Director of Activation & Community Engagement at Embrace Boston. She also serves as Director of Membership for The Secret Society of Black Creatives. Huggins continues to develop multifaceted characters while honing in on stories about Black Americans in her personal film work.

SALENA HUTCHERSON, (Producer)

Salena has a financial background that spans over twenty years and an Entertainment career that is constantly building and expanding. Before devoting her work full-time to TV/Film, Salena served as Assistant VP in Premiere Banking at Bank of America where she managed over $100 million in wealth. Always looking to broaden her skills, Salena expanded into TV/Film supplying her with a level of expertise which fueled her passion for the arts. She has also worked in casting on numerous projects. Salena soon merged her passion for TV/Film along with her financial background to not only oversee the financial health of small entertainment companies, but even co-founded and operated a twenty million luxury movie theater in Las Vegas, NV, Eclipses Theaters.

LYSA MYLES, (Producer)

Lysa was born in Bronx, NY and raised in the greater New York/New Jersey area. Her relationship with God, and her spirituality stand at the forefront of how she lives. Her passion for acting began at an early age and has served as the creative cornerstone of her life. Lysa also brings experience as a co-founder and co-producer with Collaborative Artist Bloc Productions. Whose collaboration with Rogue Machine Theatre produced the very successful (Ovation Recommended & Stage Raw nominated) stage play AMERICAN SAGA: GUNSHOT MEDLEY - PART 1 by Dionna M. Daniel (a.k.a. Zola Dee). Other producer credits include the short film T. ALEXANDER by T'Ana Phelice.

TIFFANY OGLESBY, (Producer)

Tiffany is originally from Atlanta, GA., with artistic ties in Chicago, IL., and now residing in Los Angeles, CA. Recent Theatre Credits: CONFEDERATES (Rep Theatre of St. Louis), BYHALIA, MISSISSIPPI (B Street Theatre), FLYIN’ WEST (American Blues Theatre), THE LIGHT (Original Cast - Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Actress - New Colony Theatre), SIGNIFICANT OTHER (Theater Wit), and AN OCTOROON (Definition Theatre Company). TV Credits: Tyler Perry’s RUTHLESS (BET+), THE NEIGHBORHOOD (CBS), THE CHI (SHOWTIME), CHICAGO MED (NBC), and EMPIRE (FOX). Upcoming Film: PAW PAW and DAYJA (Directed by Greg Alan Williams). Education: BFA in Performing Arts (Savannah College of Art and Design), MFA in Acting (The Theatre School at DePaul University). She’s also a Teaching Artist at Geffen Playhouse and a proud member of The Black Creators Collective.

NOLA: The Beginning

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