Dusan Brown

24th Annual San Diego International Film Festival Reveals 2025 Slate
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 17, 2025

The San Diego International Film Festival has unveiled its lineup for the 34th season, running from October 15 to 19. This year, the theme is 'Where Culture, Coast and Cinema Collide,' and features 108 titles in Gala, Narrative, Documentary, Spotlight and Short Selections.

American Cinematheque Presents PROOF: PROOF OF CONCEPT FILM FESTIVAL
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2023

The American Cinematheque announced the lineup of official selections and events for the debut of PROOF: Proof of Concept Film Festival, taking place October 20-22. The innovative new film festival will present a dozen thematically curated programs featuring 42 official selections, filmmaking labs and panels – all taking place at the Culver Theater.

Danielle Deadwyler & More Join Samuel L. Jackson & John David Washington in THE PIANO LESSON Film Adaptation
by Michael Major - Apr 13, 2023

Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington will reprise their Broadway performances in the upcoming film adaptation of The Piano Lesson, which is currently set for a Netflix premiere. Malcolm Washington will direct the upcoming feature, which will also include Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, Corey Hawkins, and Ray Fisher.

Netflix & The Grammy Museum Present MA RAINEY: MOTHER OF THE BLUES
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Apr 8, 2021

An inspiring tribute to the artist herself, Ma Rainey: Mother of the Blues takes a deeper look at the real Ma Rainey — an incredible musician and pioneer, way ahead of her time, who overcame obstacles dealing with rights to her music, her sexuality, and her worth as a female in the 1920’s struggling to keep her band together.

Viola Davis Wins Desert Palm Achievement Award for MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Feb 8, 2021

For her leading role in the film adaptation of August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' Viola Davis has been honored by the Palm Springs Film Festival with the Desert Palm Achievement Award. 

MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Named One of Barack Obama's Top Films of 2020
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Dec 21, 2020

Former president Barack Obama recently released his annual list of favorite things of 2020, including films, TV shows, and music. Included on this year's list is 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' which was released on Netflix Friday, December 18th.

VIDEO: Viola Davis Talks About Playing Ma Rainey on JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!
by Sarah Leiber - Dec 18, 2020

Viola reveals her favorite Christmas song, and talks about the moment she realized she was going to be an actress, her mom inviting 40 extra people to her wedding, her new movie Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the late great Chadwick Boseman, getting an amazing note and gifts from Oprah, her ten-year-old daughter’s Christmas list, and her husband’s birthday falling on December 24th.

Review Roundup: MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM on Netflix, Starring Viola Davis & Chadwick Boseman
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Dec 17, 2020

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is coming! Netflix will release the film adaptation of August Wilson's play on December 18th. Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman star.

VIDEO: Watch a First Look at Viola Davis in MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM
by Sarah Leiber - Dec 2, 2020

Viola Davis stars alongside the late Chadwick Boseman in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' coming to Netflix on December 18th.

BWW Review: MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM is a Relevant and Powerful Must-See Film
by David Clarke - Nov 30, 2020

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson is heralded for progressing and helping to develop contemporary black theater, tackling a wide array of important themes from the black American experience while also allowing white America to truly see black Americans. The expertly crafted 2020 film adaptation of Wilson’s MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM brings this masterpiece and these still relevant themes to stunning and visceral life.

VIDEO: See Chadwick Boseman & Viola Davis in the Trailer for MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM
by Sarah Leiber - Oct 19, 2020

Chicago, 1927. A recording session. Tensions rise between Ma Rainey (Viola Davis), her ambitious horn player (Chadwick Boseman), and the white management determined to control the legendary “Mother of the Blues.” Based on Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson's play.

2020 Presidential Scholars in the Arts Announced
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 21, 2020

The 56th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars has been announced. The U.S. Presidential Scholars awarda?'one of the nation's highest honors for high school students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership qualities and community servicea?'is presented on behalf of the President of the United States and honors up to 161 graduating school seniors.

60 Young Artists Have Been Nominated for 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 22, 2020

National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) today announced the nominees for the 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students who exemplify academic and artistic excellence. YoungArts is the sole nominating agency for this high honor and the 60 candidates, representing 16 states and nine artistic disciplines, are all YoungArts Winners. The students have been nominated to the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program for their artistic achievement on the heels of the organization's annual signature program, National YoungArts Week, which concluded in Miami on January 12.

BWW Exclusive: Hear Michael Luwoye Sing on Disney Junior's THE LION GUARD
by Kaitlin Milligan - Aug 30, 2019

BroadwayWorld has an exclusive clip from Michael Luwoye's guest starring role on Disney Junior's 'The Lion Guard.' He voices the role of Askari, the original leader of the Lion Guard, who appears as a 'lion spirit' in the sky to offer Kion advice.

Taylour Paige, Jonny Coyne, and More Join MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Netflix Adaptation
by Stephi Wild - Jul 8, 2019

According to Deadline, additional casting has been announced for the upcoming Netflix adaptation of the August Wilson play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

The Films in Competition Announced For The 2019 American Black Film Festival
by Tori Hartshorn - May 10, 2019

The 23rd Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is excited to announce their distinctive 2019 lineup of narrative features, documentaries and short films in competition. Films are set to screen in Miami from June 13-15 at the Regal Cinemas South Beach and the New World Center.

Christopher Jackson, Heather Headley, and More Broadway Vets to Voice Characters in 'The Lion Guard'
by Stephi Wild - Sep 5, 2018

Broadway is taking over Disney! According to Deadline, a slew of Broadway actors will voice characters on the upcoming season three of Disney Junior's The Lion Guard.

David Oyelowo to Voice 'Scar in Disney Jr's Animated Series THE LION GUARD
by Caryn Robbins - Jun 21, 2017

Acclaimed film, television and stage actor David Oyelowo ('Selma') will voice the iconic role of Scar, the villainous younger brother to Mufasa, in Disney Junior's THE LION GUARD, an animated series that continues the epic storytelling of Disney's acclaimed feature film, 'The Lion King.'

Disney Junior Orders New Seasons of THE LION GUARD & MICKEY AND THE ROADSTER RACERS
by Caryn Robbins - Mar 15, 2017

Disney Junior has ordered a second season of 2017's #1 series among preschooler-targeted networks, MICKEY AND THE ROADSTER RACERS which since its January premiere, has reached over 41 million viewers nationwide.

Disney Junior's THE LION GUARD to Premiere in January
by Tyler Peterson - Dec 9, 2015

The animated series 'The Lion Guard' will premiere FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 (9:30 a.m., EST/PST) on Disney Channel and encore throughout the weekend on Disney Junior and Disney Channel. Its story – introduced last month in a Disney Channel movie which posted commanding ratings among Kids 2-5 and Total Viewers – continues the 'The Lion King' epic. It follows the adventures of Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, and his diverse group of friends, each with a unique skill, as they unite to protect the Pride Lands.