21 Black Futures

21 Black Futures is a Canadian film and theatre project, broadcast by CBC Gem in 2021.[1] Created in conjunction with the Black Canadian theatre company Obsidian Theatre to mark both Black History Month and the 21st anniversary of Obsidian,[2] the project commissioned 21 short film adaptations of theatrical monologues on the theme of "the future of Blackness" by Black Canadian writers,[3] each performed by a Black actor on the stage of Meridian Hall in Toronto.[1]

The project was commissioned in part because the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada had prevented the staging of a traditional theatre festival.[1]

The project aired over three weeks in February 2021, with seven films premiering each week on February 12, 19 and 26.[4]

Films
Film Director Writer Actor Synopsis
The Death News Charles Officer Amanda Parris Lovell Adams-Gray A man performs and records his own obituary on The Death News, a television show which airs testimonials by the recently deceased, to be broadcast in the event of his future death.
The Sender Leah-Simone Bowen Cheryl Foggo Amanda Cordner Cil Brown is a Sender with a project that exiles racists to their own island society.
Jah in the Ever Expanding Song d’bi.young anitafrika Kaie Kellough Ravyn Wngz
Beyere Lisa Karen Cox Shauntay Grant Natasha Courage Bacchus
Madness with Rocks Jamie Robinson Peace Akintade Dion Johnstone
Witness Shift Sarah Waisvisz Donna-Michelle St. Bernard Uche Ama
Sensitivity Mike Payette Lawrence Hill Sabryn Rock
Special Jay Northcott Keshia Cheesman Avery Grant Eight-year-old Zari has moved with her mother to an all-Black town, but finds that although she fits in with her classmates at school she misses the feeling of being special and different.
Umoja Corp. Leighton Alexander Williams Jacob Sampson Pablo Ogunlesi A corporation that works to amass and defend Black knowledge and strength steps in to help Adrian after he runs into trouble with the law.
Notice Ngozi Paul Luke Reece Lisa Berry Inspired by the global anti-racism protests that took place during her childhood in 2020, the now-adult Crystal Hinds rises into a position to make a powerful difference in 2045.
Blackberries Alicia K. Harris Miali-Elise Coley-Sudlovenick Adeline Bird Effie, a woman of mixed African and Inuk heritage, travels to Nunavut for her grandmother's funeral.
Emmett Tanisha Taitt Syrus Marcus Ware Prince Amponsah Medgar, one of the few survivors of a catastrophe that largely wiped out human civilization seven years earlier, talks about his life and recalls his relationship with his lover Emmett.
Georgeena Weyni Mengesha Djanet Sears Virgilia Griffith After fleeing her wedding when she realized she was marrying into an all-white world, Georgeena believes she is going to die because her car is being followed.
Rebirth of the Afronauts: A Black Space Odyssey Jerome Kruin Wendy Motion Brathwaite Chelsea Russell In 2059, Chariott receives a mysterious call that leads her on an exploration of whole new vistas of experience.
Cavities Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu K. T. Dennis Alison Sealy-Smith
40 Parsecs and Some Fuel Lucius Dechausay Omari Newton Daniel Faraldo
The Prescription Alison Duke Lisa Codrington Akosua Amo-Adem
Chronologie Mike Payette, Katia Café-Fébrissy Stephie Mazunya Sheila Ingabire-Isaro
Y&N Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Own Native Land) Dorothy A. Atabong Tawiah M'carthy Peter Fernandes
Builders of Nations Kimberley Rampersad Joseph Jomo Pierre Philip Akin
Omega Child Ahdri Zhina Mandiela Cherissa Richards Emerjade Simms

Awards
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Canadian Screen Awards2022Best Web Program or Series, FictionMumbi Tindyebwa Otu, Lucius Dechausay, Fatuma Adar, Michael Sinclair, Myekah Payne, Grazyna KrupaWon[5]
Best Lead Performance, Web Program or SeriesLovell Adams-GrayWon
Lisa BerryNominated[6]
Best Supporting Performance, Web Program or SeriesChelsea RussellNominated
Best Direction, Web Program or SeriesLucius DechausayNominated
Charles OfficerWon[5]
Best Writing, Web Program or SeriesLawrence HillNominated[6]
Amanda ParrisWon[5]

References
  1. Victoria Ahearn, "Black creators explore 'the future of Blackness' in '21 Black Futures' on CBC Gem". CityNews, February 17, 2021.
  2. Lauren Malyk, "Obsidian Theatre, CBC reveal talent for 21 Black Futures project". Playback, January 20, 2021.
  3. Kelly Townsend, "How 21 Black Futures merged the stage and screen". Playback, February 12, 2021.
  4. Glenn Sumi, "New work imagines a world without white supremacists". Now, February 8, 2021.
  5. Brent Furdyk, "Canadian Screen Awards: Winners Announced In Sports Programming, Digital & Immersive Categories". ET Canada, April 5, 2022.
  6. Brent Furdyk, "2022 Canadian Screen Award Nominees Announced, ‘Sort Of’ & ‘Scarborough’ Lead The Pack". ET Canada, February 15, 2022.
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