While Hollywood actors get the most attention–they are the ones in front of the screen, after all–the behind-the-scenes creators deserve as much credit.
Whether they direct, produce, or write, they inject new life into today’s movies and TV shows.
Black Hollywood innovators like Ryan Coogler, Issa Rae, and Jordan Peele have recently become A-list names.
However, there’s a new crop of young Hollywood innovators who are just as ambitious and should become household names before long.
Let’s check them out!
Chinoye Chukwu
Notable Movies/TV Shows: Till, Clemency
The Nigerian-American is a woman of many hats.
The producer, director, and writer is behind one of 2022’s major critical hits: “Till.”
The film received critical acclaim–with a 98% aggregate score on Rotten Tomatoes–and has received dozens of award nominations.
After the success of “Till,” Chinoye Chukwu is firmly on the map and will probably get invites from major Hollywood studios like Disney to direct a movie soon.
Chukwu has come a long way from her directorial debut, “Alaska-Land.”
That film was a critical bomb, and every movie festival that watched the movie rejected it.
However, this didn’t deter the Nigerian-American actor.
In 2019, she wrote and directed “Clemency,” and the movie was a critical hit.
Cierra Glaude
Notable Movies/TV Shows: Queen Sugar, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, P-Valley
Cierra Glaude has been part of several Hollywood projects you know–you didn’t think she was part of them.
She directed episodes from famous TV shows like “Queen Sugar” and “P-Valley.”
The director is currently working on the adaptation of Kwame Alexander’s famous book, “The Crossover,” for Disney+.
The show follows two brothers’ lives on the basketball court and beyond as their mom finally chases her dreams, and their dad gets used to life beyond basketball.
Stefani Robinson
Notable Movies/TV Shows: Atlanta, What We Do In The Shadows
Robinson has already proven herself as one of Hollywood’s most talented new writers.
“Atlanta” is among the best-written shows of the past few years, and she was among the writers behind it–she was the youngest writer and only woman in the show’s writer’s room.
She even took home two Writers Guild of America awards for her work and received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.
In 2022, she wrote for the biographical drama, “Chevalier.”
Robinson is currently an executive producer on the creative “What We Do In The Shadows.”
We know more prominent projects are on the way.
Nikyatu Jusu
Notable Films/TV Shows: Nanny
Jordan Peele’s success with social horror movies like “Get Out” and “Nope” inspired new Black filmmakers to tell scary stories that remain socially conscious.
Nikyatu Jusu is among the most exciting proteges.
Her 2022 film, “Nanny,” is a masterclass of tension, atmosphere, and emotion.
The film won several awards and became one of 2022’s best horror movies.
Jusu’s next project is a sequel to horror legend George Romero’s 1968’s classic “Night of The Living Dead.”
Ericka Nicole Malone
Notable Films/TV Shows: Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story
Ericka Nicole Malone wrote and produced “Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story,” a biography of one of the most influential gospel singers of the 20th century.
The movie was a resounding success, and Malone received an Image Awards nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Creative.
Numa Perrier
Notable Movies/TV Shows: Jezebel
Numa Perrier wrote, produced, and directed her debut film “Jezebel” in 2019.
The film is semi-autobiographical as it follows Perrier’s life–it focuses on a 19-year-old girl who becomes a cam girl to make ends meet.
When “Jezebel” premiered, it sold out in its three shows at the SXSW Festival, and the organizers added a fourth show to meet demand.
Shortly after, Hollywood legend Ava DuVernay acquired the movie through her distribution company ARRAY, and “Jezebel” soon landed on Netflix.
Perrier is working on a romantic comedy called “The Perfect Find.”
Hollywood Is In Fantastic Diverse Hands
These filmmakers are behind some of today’s most-acclaimed hits.
With time, they will get more significant projects and reach the profile of A-list movie makers like Ava DuVernay.
