Black Filmmakers: Through The Years

30 Black Hollywood Game Changers
Throughout the storied history of American movies, there have been quite a few black filmmakers that have shaped society through their art and left an indelible mark on our lives. From pioneers like directors Ossie Davis, Melvin Van Peebles to modern day movie makers Kasi Lemons and Tyler Perry, these filmmakers have produced some of our favorite films, while changing the face of cinema. BlackVoices.com takes a look at 30 game changers through the years.

Black Filmmakers: Through The Years

Oscar Micheaux
As the pioneer of African American filmmakers, this Metropolis, Illinois, native revolutionized the film industry when he formed his own movie production company and, in 1919, became the first African American to make a film. He wrote, directed and produced the silent motion picture 'The Homesteader' and then introduced the film world to Paul Robeson in 'Body and Soul.' In 1986, the Directors Guild of America honored Micheaux with a Golden Jubilee Special Award, and today the Oscar Micheaux Award is presented each year by the Producers Guild.

Black Filmmakers: Through The Years

Ossie Davis
As a pioneer in the film business and a legend in the African American community, Davis was an actor, director, poet, playwright, writer and social activist whose career spanned nearly 50 years. Davis directed numerous films during the blaxploitation era, including 1970's 'Cotton Comes to Harlem' and 1973's 'Gordon's War.' Along with wife Ruby Dee, the Georgia native starred in many movies, including several of director Spike Lee's films such as 'Do The Right Thing,' 'Jungle Fever' and 'She Hate Me.'

Black Filmmakers: Through The Years

Tracey Edmondsbr/>A trailblazer in the industry, the California native has nearly 20 years in the business as an award-winning producer and studio executive, having produced projects in television, music, and film. Edmonds made her formal entry into the business in 1993 with the creation of Edmonds Entertainment Group – a partnership with her then-husband, music producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, shortly after graduating from Stanford University with a degree in psychobiology. Edmonds Entertainment produced the critically acclaimed film 'Soul Food,' which earned five NAACP Image Awards and inspired the TV series of the same name. Other movie projects helmed by Edmonds: 'Light It Up,' 'Josie & The Pussycats' and 'Who's Your Caddy.'

Black Filmmakers: Through The Years

Melvin Van Peebles
This Chicago actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and composer is most famously known for his contribution to the blaxploitation era with the independently financed and critically acclaimed film 'Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.' The 1971 film was written, produced, scored, directed by and starred Van Peebles and tells the story of a deprived African American man on his escape from the white authority. The father of actor/ director Mario, in 2008, Melvin completed the film 'Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha,' which played at various film festivals.

Black Filmmakers: Through The Years

Bill Duke
Known for his imposing 6-foot-6-inch figure and action films such as 1987's 'Predator,' the Poughkeepsie, New York, native began directing feature-length films in the 1990s with the crime dramas 'A Rage in Harlem,' 'Deep Cover' and 'Hoodlum.' In 2007, Duke directed 'Cover,' which starred Vivica A. Fox, and 'Not Easily Broken,' which is based on a T.D Jakes novel and stars Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson.

Black Filmmakers: Through The Years

Robert Townsend
Primarily known as a comedian, this Chicago native established himself when he wrote, directed, produced and starred in the comedy 'Hollywood Shuffle,' his 1987 film about struggling black actors. He also created and produced the CableACE award–winning 'Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime' for HBO. His best film to date is the 1991 musical 'The Five Heartbeats.' Townsend directed the documentary 'Why We Laugh,' a story on black comedians and their impact in America.

Black Filmmakers: Through The Years

Spike Lee
Besides Woody Allen, no other filmmaker has had more films on the big screen in the last 20 years than Lee. From 'She's Gotta Have It' to 'Jungle Fever' to the critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated 'Do The Right Thing,' Lee's production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced more than 35 films since 1983. In 2008, the Atlanta native released his latest film, 'Miracle at St. Anna,' a story about blacks fighting in WWII that stars Derek Luke and Michael Ealy.

Black Filmmakers: Through The Years

Ernest R. Dickerson
Getting his start as a music video cinematographer, the Newark, New Jersey native would go on to make his feature film debut in 1983 on Spike Lee's first film 'Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads.' An alum of both Howard University and New York University, Dickerson would collaborate with Lee on such films as 'She's Gotta Have It,' and 'Malcolm X.' Dickerson's directorial debut came with the 1992 film 'Juice,' starring Omar Epps and the late Tupac Shakur. His impressive resume also includes work on such TV shows as 'The Wire,' 'Heroes' and 'Dexter.'

Black Filmmakers: Through The Years

John Singleton
A native of Los Angeles, this USC film school graduate blazed on the Hollywood scene in 1991 with his debut film 'Boyz N the Hood,' which starred Cuba Gooding, Jr., Ice Cube and Nia Long. At age 23, he was nominated for an Academy Award for best screenplay and was the youngest person ever nominated for best director, the only African American to be nominated for the award. Since then, he has directed many films, from 'Poetic Justice' to 'Higher Learning' to blockbusters such as '2 Fast 2 Furious' and 'Four Brothers.' Future projects include 'Tulia' and the long-awaited 'Luke Cage.'

Black Filmmakers: Through The Years