Culture
Rachael Moton Is Crafting the Future of Dark Comedy — And She’s Doing It Her Way
In an indie film landscape where resources are scarce and the path forward is rarely linear, Rachael Moton is forging her own way — and she’s doing it with gut-punch honesty, bold humor, and a sharp lens on the systems we’re all tangled in.
Matthew Law’s Soundtrack of Togetherness: The Revival of Friends and Family
Philadelphia has always been a city of deep musical roots, and Matthew Law is one of its torchbearers, blending the old with the new, the underground with the celebrated.
Creative Opportunities May
Philly creatives! Here is another roundup of opportunities to tap into.
Love the Sin, Hate the Sinner: The Parallels Between The Sinners Juke Joint And Black Ballroom Culture
Ryan Coogler’s 5th official feature film, Sinners, has hit the theatre and stolen the hearts and attention of fans and not so frequent movie goers alike.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Steiner: Redefining the Harp for the Modern Era
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Steiner is not your traditional harpist. With a career that seamlessly bridges classical, contemporary, and pop music, she has become one of the most sought-after musicians in her field.
Joseph Earl Thomas: Writing with Blood, Nerve, and Unbearable Beauty
Few writers capture the raw essence of coming-of-age with as much intensity and lyricism as Joseph Earl Thomas.
Black Composers, Black Principal Musicians, Black Excellence
It's not every day that people can experience a concert of just principal musicians. It is even rarer to have Black men as principal musicians.
The Producer’s Producer: How Lorna Miller Is Building a More Inclusive Film Industry, One Set at a Time
Lorna Miller didn’t just fall into producing — she manifested it.
Emilio Maldonado: The Seeker’s Craft
Emilio Maldonado doesn’t call himself an artist—he is a seeker.
Gabe Castro: Using Horror to Entertain, Educate, and Empower
Philly-based Latiné artist Gabe Castro uses horror to challenge social norms, build community, and expand the genre’s possibilities.
The Sound of Black Philly: How Philadelphia Became a Powerhouse for Black Music and Entertainment
Philadelphia’s rich music scene, from Lil Uzi Vert to Frankie Beverly, cements its status as a powerhouse for Black music and culture.
Embracing the Unconventional: A Conversation with Simone Holland
Simone Holland’s journey through the film industry has been anything but linear. From the start, she made one thing clear: her career path didn’t follow a traditional trajectory, and she’s all the better for it.
Chisom Chieke: Telling Diasporic Stories with Heart
Chisom Chieke is a Philly-based filmmaker and storyteller, uses her work to explore love, identity, and growth within diasporic communities. A second-generation Nigerian-American, she’s all about creating narratives that feel real, raw, and full of heart.
Photojournal Series: Black Present within South Philadelphia
When I say introspection, I mean it in the sense of observation of one’s own disposition as a black person in a space; where one is and where one came from historically (henceforth, I can only speak for myself).
Gran Varones: Louie Ortiz-Fonseca and a Decade of Documenting Queer Latinx Stories
For the past decade, Louie Ortiz-Fonseca has been amplifying the voices of Black and Brown queer communities through Gran Varones, a digital storytelling project blending personal narratives with pop culture history.