DENTON TX. The 2016 Denton Black Film Festival presents 50 Shades of Black - a video series campaign. The concept is simple. 50 videos. 50 people. 1 goal : Tell the stories of everyday black people. In a media landscape where the stories of people of color are rare or misguiding, the series sets out to tell the stories of black people within the Dallas-Fort Worth community - in their own words. 

     The shortlist of interviewees spans a broad range of individuals - from musicians, educators, a barber and even a martial arts legend. Each video provides an intimate look into individual life experiences, aspirations and challenges. The series is directed by Denton filmmaker, Daniel Amotsuka.  In explaining why the video series is important, Amotsuka states, “As a minority group in the US, there is a tendency to view blackness in reductive terms; to lean on stereotypes rather than experiencing people as individuals. This series is challenging that notion by telling the stories of individuals. The goal is to break that mold of a single story and broaden the spectrum of the black experience. This series is as important for all communities, white and of color. We all need to be reminded of our unique individuality and this series does just that.”
     The 2016 Denton Black Film Festival organizers believe that the video series communicates the essence of their festival-to celebrate black experiences and culture through film and the arts both to black and non-black audiences alike. The videos will be released daily leading up to the festival, which is precluded by several kick-off events the month of January, and climaxes the weekend of January 29-31 with over 25 independent film screenings.
   The official trailer for the 50 Shades of Black Series can be seen via the Denton Black Film Festival Facebook page at https://

www.facebook.com/DentonBlackFilmFestival/videos/

996916077032398/