PBS Distribution Announces Theatrical Release of Stanley Nelson’s “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution”
buzzz worthy. . .
Arlington,
VA – Following the recent Sundance Film Festival
premiere of Stanley Nelson’s highly anticipated new documentary “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution,”
PBS Distribution has announced it will distribute the film in select
theaters in the fall of 2015. The film is also slated for a special
broadcast as part of PBS’ independent film series INDEPENDENT LENS in
winter of 2016.
Directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” explores the history of the Black Panthers, founded in 1966 in Oakland, California. The group and its leadership remain powerful and enduring figures in our popular imagination. This film interweaves voices from varied perspectives who lived this story — police, FBI informants, journalists, white supporters, detractors, those who remained loyal to the party and those who left it. Because the participants from all sides were so young in the ’60s and ’70s, they are still around to share firsthand accounts.
“I am gratified that PBS has the courage and foresight to bring this film to audiences across the country, and we are thrilled to call them our partners,” said Mr. Nelson. “The Black Panthers made an indelible imprint on American culture and politics. The story of their rise and fall is essential history for understanding the times we live in, and the complicated political dynamics that are still at play.”
“We are delighted to support the work of one of today’s most important independent filmmakers, Stanley Nelson, with whom we have enjoyed a long and productive relationship,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS. “This film represents the kind of provocative, thoughtful independent filmmaking that has long been at the heart of PBS’ mission, and we are happy to work with PBS Distribution to steward ‘Black Panthers’ through theatrical, broadcast on PBS stations, and on to VOD and home entertainment.”
Amy Letourneau, Vice President, Acquisitions, PBS Distribution, added, “Stanley Nelson’s films reveal iconic moments in American history from the perspective of those who where there, from ‘Freedom Riders’ to ‘Jonestown’ to ‘Wounded Knee.’ Nearly 50 years after the founding of the Black Panther Party, we think this powerful film is extremely timely, and therefore will resonate with a wide audience.”
This announcement follows the successful theatrical release of the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE production “Last Days in Vietnam,” directed and produced by Rory Kennedy. The film was recently nominated for an Academy Award® for Documentary Feature and will air on AMERICAN EXPERIENCE on Tuesday, April 28, from 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET on PBS stations nationwide.
About Stanley Nelson
Stanley Nelson is a multiple Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, MacArthur “genius” Fellow and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Obama in August 2014.
Nelson is the director of 12 documentary features, including “Freedom Summer,” “Freedom Riders,” “Jonestown: The Life and Death of People’s Temple” and “The Murder of Emmett Till.” He is also co-founder of Firelight Media, which, with the support of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, provides technical support to diverse emerging documentary producers. Having premiered eight films at the Sundance Film Festival and with multiple industry awards to his credit, Nelson is acknowledged as one of the premiere filmmakers working today. He is currently in production on “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” which will air on PBS. He holds a BFA from City College of New York and an honorary doctorate from Haverford College.
– Film Premiered to Critical Acclaim at Sundance Film Festival; Theatrical Release Planned for This Fall –
Directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” explores the history of the Black Panthers, founded in 1966 in Oakland, California. The group and its leadership remain powerful and enduring figures in our popular imagination. This film interweaves voices from varied perspectives who lived this story — police, FBI informants, journalists, white supporters, detractors, those who remained loyal to the party and those who left it. Because the participants from all sides were so young in the ’60s and ’70s, they are still around to share firsthand accounts.
“I am gratified that PBS has the courage and foresight to bring this film to audiences across the country, and we are thrilled to call them our partners,” said Mr. Nelson. “The Black Panthers made an indelible imprint on American culture and politics. The story of their rise and fall is essential history for understanding the times we live in, and the complicated political dynamics that are still at play.”
“We are delighted to support the work of one of today’s most important independent filmmakers, Stanley Nelson, with whom we have enjoyed a long and productive relationship,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS. “This film represents the kind of provocative, thoughtful independent filmmaking that has long been at the heart of PBS’ mission, and we are happy to work with PBS Distribution to steward ‘Black Panthers’ through theatrical, broadcast on PBS stations, and on to VOD and home entertainment.”
Amy Letourneau, Vice President, Acquisitions, PBS Distribution, added, “Stanley Nelson’s films reveal iconic moments in American history from the perspective of those who where there, from ‘Freedom Riders’ to ‘Jonestown’ to ‘Wounded Knee.’ Nearly 50 years after the founding of the Black Panther Party, we think this powerful film is extremely timely, and therefore will resonate with a wide audience.”
This announcement follows the successful theatrical release of the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE production “Last Days in Vietnam,” directed and produced by Rory Kennedy. The film was recently nominated for an Academy Award® for Documentary Feature and will air on AMERICAN EXPERIENCE on Tuesday, April 28, from 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET on PBS stations nationwide.
About Stanley Nelson
Stanley Nelson is a multiple Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, MacArthur “genius” Fellow and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Obama in August 2014.
Nelson is the director of 12 documentary features, including “Freedom Summer,” “Freedom Riders,” “Jonestown: The Life and Death of People’s Temple” and “The Murder of Emmett Till.” He is also co-founder of Firelight Media, which, with the support of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, provides technical support to diverse emerging documentary producers. Having premiered eight films at the Sundance Film Festival and with multiple industry awards to his credit, Nelson is acknowledged as one of the premiere filmmakers working today. He is currently in production on “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” which will air on PBS. He holds a BFA from City College of New York and an honorary doctorate from Haverford College.
