Film Tampa Bay teamed up with the Tampa Theatre and local filmmaker Cranstan Cumberbatch to bring locally made short films to the big screen. Last week’s Juneteenth Film Festival hosted 400+ moviegoers at the historic Tampa Theatre for an evening that celebrated Black excellence in cinema. The evening began with a selection of locally made short films curated by Cranstan Cumberbatch.
“I believe this year’s Juneteenth Film Festival was a powerful success and just as Epic as last year, and the year before,” says Cumberbatch. “From the electrifying energy in the building at the historic Tampa Theatre to the inspiring conversations sparked during our filmmaker Q&As, it was clear that the stories shared truly resonated with the community.”
The five films selected were made by local Black Filmmakers. Here’s more about the films and where to stream them.
The Vixen
The Vixen, directed by Toneice Evans, is a twisted thriller about love and revenge. Wounded by love and unwilling to forgive, a woman embarks on a relentless mission for vengeance. Dark, stylish, and unapologetically fierce – this is the story of heartbreak weaponized.
Though the subject matter is dark, Evans strove to create a fun story featuring an alluring femme fatale. The Vixen can be streamed on Roku TV and Amazon Fire alongside Evans’ other short films.
Riding Hood
Riding Hood, directed by Dwight Mathis, is a modern take on Red Riding Hood. The film follows teen siblings Red and Axe as they stumble upon a mysterious powder called Goldie. Chaos ensues during their effort to identify the powder when a ruthless kingpin comes after them.
Mathis added a personal touch to the film by casting his family members as the characters. The decision led to a unique filmmaking experience and an opportunity to showcase the diversity within the Black community. This gritty urban fable of loyalty, survival, and danger can be streamed via the YouTube link above.
Gloria 19
Attendees of the 3rd annual Juneteenth Film Festival got a sneak peek of the first episode of Gloria 19, directed by Michael Kinsey. The limited series is about a clone who realizes the importance of her survival from the powerful corporation that created her. Her life may be the key to curing a deadly disease and revealing a plot that could alter the existence of mankind.
Kinsey, who began crafting this story following the COVID-19 pandemic, created a compelling portrait of resilience and identity. Gloria is determined to find her voice in a world that often tries to silence her. Watch the trailer above and visit Kinsey Media for streaming information.
Atone
Atone: a Blink film, directed by Erica Sutherlin, tells the story of Jayden who seeks redemption after serving 12 years in prison. As he struggles to rebuild his life and reconnect with his son, Noah, the past threatens to pull his son down the same path. Atone is a powerful story of fatherhood, justice, and hope.
Sutherlin collaborated with Safe & Sound Hillsborough to bring this story to the big screen. The film’s goal is in part to aid in violence prevention and was created as a teaching tool for decision-making for at-risk youth. Catch Atone on the Tampa Bay Arts & Education Network – (TBAE) on Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at 12:00 pm, 6:00 pm & 10:00 pm.
The Ethereal: The God Particle
The Ethereal, directed by Blake Emory, is a sci-fi anthology set in a vast multiverse where time bends, dimensions clash, and quantum entanglement links humanity’s greatest hopes and darkest risks.
The pilot episode, The God Particle, starring Cranstan Cumberbatch, had its world premiere at the Juneteenth Film Festival. The episode features brilliant physicist Dr. Tiberius Grants (Cranstan) as he pioneers wormhole teleportation and becomes the first to journey through. But what he discovers could reshape reality itself.
A new episode is in the works, so keep your eyes peeled for the release date.
IS THAT BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU?!?
The feature film of the evening was “Is That Black Enough for You?!?” directed by culture critic and historian Elvis Mitchell. This documentary uses archival footage and retrospective interviews with influential actors to trace the evolution, and revolution, of Black cinema from its origins to the impactful films of the 1970s.
Stream this fascinating on Netflix.
“We’re honored to have partnered with the community to make this event a reality,” says Sam Allen, Film Tampa Bay marketing manager. “The Tampa Theatre was filled with filmmakers, local blacked-owned businesses, members of the media, and of course everyday cinema lovers. It was a magical evening and we can’t wait to welcome you all back next year!”
© 2025 Tampa Hillsborough Film and Digital Media Commission