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For decades, Black audiences have helped build billion-dollar entertainment companies. We buy the tickets. We subscribe to the platforms. We create the culture. Yet very little of the ownership remains in our communities. Cinnamon Brown Entertainment was founded to change that. Since 2013, we've built films, television projects, books, and opportunities for Black actors and technical creatives while maintaining ownership of our intellectual property. Today, we're putting that

When a writer signs a deal with a big movie studio, it can feel like a dream come true. But sometimes that dream comes with a difficult choice. How much of your vision are you willing to give away? Recently, Children of Blood and Bone author Tomi Adeyemi shared that she left the movie set "sobbing" and called the experience "the worst thing I've had to live through." She has not shared all the details, so we don't know exactly what happened. Still, her comments started an imp

For years, Hollywood has told filmmakers they need the right connections, a big budget, or someone's permission before they can succeed. The truth is, today's technology has changed the game. You don't have to wait for a studio to discover you. You can create your own path. The How We Shot It: Sundays After Church Bootcamp is for filmmakers who don't have industry connections, expensive film school degrees, or deep pockets. We didn't wait for Hollywood to say yes—we made our

I've watched this movie before. In 2014, Amazon was selling ebooks at $9.99 — below cost, subsidized by Kindle hardware margins — and the Department of Justice sued the publishers for trying to stop them. The predator was legally protected. The defense was prosecuted. By the time the dust settled, Amazon controlled 80% of the ebook market, set the pricing floor, and extracted 30% of every sale through a distribution channel they'd built while everyone else was bleeding. Now I

Rediscovering Independence: The Power of CDs in Black Creativity In a world obsessed with streams, subscriptions, and algorithms, Black creatives are quietly rediscovering an old weapon of independence: the CD. Not as nostalgia, but as strategy. External CD/DVD drives—cheap, portable, and largely ignored by Big Tech—are becoming tools of economic sovereignty. They allow Black artists to sell directly to their audiences, keep ownership, generate real profit, and rebuild a self

If you love rich storytelling and powerful performances, diving into black cinema films is a rewarding experience. These movies offer unique perspectives, celebrate culture, and showcase talent that often flies under the mainstream radar. The best part? You don’t have to leave your couch to enjoy them. Streaming platforms have made it easier than ever to access a treasure trove of independent black films right from home. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just starting to explo

The new Netflix documentary on Sean “Diddy” Combs doesn’t just expose personal misconduct — it reveals a business model that eerily echoes both traditional sharecropping and its modern cousin, digital sharecropping. In both systems, the laborers create the value while the landowner (or platform) owns the land, sets the terms, and harvests the profit. In music, that landowner was often Puffy. Sharecropping 101 — and How It Morphs in the Music Business Traditional sharecroppin

Diving into the world of independent filmmaking can feel like stepping into a vast ocean without a map. But trust me, with the right filmmaker support tools , you can navigate these waters confidently and create stories that resonate deeply. Whether you're crafting a powerful narrative or showcasing diverse voices, having access to the right resources makes all the difference. Today, I want to share some of the best tools and strategies that have helped me and countless other

You made the movie. You put your soul into it. But once the credits roll, the real work begins. Because making the film is half the job. Selling it is the other half. Most indie filmmakers secretly hope they can dodge the marketing part: “Maybe a distributor will pick it up…” “Maybe Netflix will call…” “Maybe it’ll go viral like Blair Witch …” “Maybe someone will stumble across it on YouTube at 1AM…” But hope is not a business model. Not if you want to keep making films. Not

In 2015, Lee Daniels sat at The Hollywood Reporter roundtable and did something rare for a Black showrunner in a white-dominated industry: he flipped the script. Instead of politely nodding through the usual “diversity is important” platitudes, Daniels pushed the white showrunners in the room to reckon with their empty writers’ rooms and their fantasy-land excuses. He said what we all knew: You don’t hire us. Not because you “can’t find any.” But because you don’t look for u

Diving into the world of independent filmmaking is thrilling, but it can also feel overwhelming. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your craft, having the right tools and knowledge at your fingertips makes all the difference. Over the years, I’ve gathered a treasure trove of indie filmmaker resources that have helped me navigate everything from scriptwriting to distribution. Today, I want to share some of the best essentials that can empower you to tell yo

If you’re an indie filmmaker, you probably don’t have shit for a budget. No money for shootouts. No money for explosions. No money for car chases. Hell, sometimes you barely have money to feed the crew. So what does that mean? You need a small, tight, character-driven story that can be filmed in one or two locations without your whole life collapsing. And here’s the real kicker: the story has to actually hold the viewer’s attention. That’s where conflict comes in. Now listen—

Recently, I was offered a deal that sounded… off. The more I listened, the more familiar it felt. And because I grew up reading Black history and listening to old Black folks talk plainly about how the world works, I recognized it immediately: Sharecropping. Just updated for Wi-Fi and metadata . What’s new is old. In the digital age, independent filmmakers—especially Black creators—are being handed contracts that mirror the same exploitative mechanics used on our ancestors af

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If you’re like me, you know how refreshing it is to find movies that truly reflect diverse stories and voices. Black cinema offers a rich tapestry of narratives, culture, and creativity that often goes underrepresented in mainstream media. Luckily, streaming platforms have made it easier than ever to dive into this world. Whether you want to explore independent black films or discover new TV shows, there’s a growing space dedicated to celebrating these stories. Let’s talk abo

Where to Watch Black Films in 2025: Platforms to Explore Independent Black Cinema Cinema has always been a powerful vehicle for storytelling, identity, and cultural memory. In 2025, with streaming and digital platforms proliferating, viewers have more options than ever to discover Black voices in film—from grassroots indies to curated archives and direct-to-consumer platforms. Below is a guide to where to watch Black films today, including both emerging and established hubs.