Laurinburg Native Everette Honored With Trailblazer Award at NC Black Film Festival
Laurinburg native Christopher Everette is being honored with the 2024 Trailblazer Award at the NC Black Film Festival in Wilmington! This man is practically rewriting the rulebook on storytelling and shining a spotlight on stories that don’t usually get one. Pretty dope, huh?
His journey began in Laurinburg, North Carolina, which is as cozy and tight-knit as it sounds. But don’t let that fool you into thinking his path was all cookies and cream. After a game-changing stint in Atlanta, he dove headfirst into the documentary scene with “WILMINGTON ON FIRE.” And man, did that film stir the pot! It was all about the 1898 Wilmington Massacre, a piece of history that was pretty much gathering dust until Everette put it up in big, bold lights.
Christopher was just getting warmed up and continued to dig deep, bringing out gems like “BLACK BEACH / WHITE BEACH” and “THE BLACK BAPTISM,” which dive into the messy, complicated stew of race, culture, and what it means to be American.
As the Artistic Director of the Southern Documentary Fund, he’s been the fairy godmother (or godfather, take your pick) to Southern filmmakers, sprinkling over $250,000 in grants. Talk about making it rain for the arts!
Everette’s not just a one-trick pony either. Through Speller Street Films and BLK Docs, he’s been pushing for more diversity in the documentary world like it’s Black Friday and diversity’s on sale. His latest project, the 3 Chambers Fest, is this wild mashup of hip-hop, martial arts, and anime. Because why not, right?
Right now, he’s buried in the editing room, piecing together “WILMINGTON ON FIRE: CHAPTER II” and “GRANDMASTER: THE VIC MOORE STORY.” Bet your popcorn they’re gonna be epic.
So, when the NC Black Film Festival rolls out the red carpet for Everette, it’s not just a pat on the back. It’s a big, fat “Thank You” for flipping the script on documentary filmmaking and making us think, talk, and maybe even change. Christopher Everette isn’t just telling stories; he’s sparking convos and nudging us toward a world that gets it. And that, my luvs, is the mark of a true trailblazer. Keep your eyes peeled, ‘cause this guy’s just getting started.
