An update has been posted by this blogger.
Chicago’s film industry is abuzz with excitement over the upcoming production of The Best of Ira, a powerful dramatic short film that speaks directly to Black fathers. Written by attorney Dionne Roberts-Emegha and executive produced by former Army Captain Drake D. Booker, this coming-of-age story follows young Best as he navigates relationships, masculinity, and his father’s tragic death. The film explores themes of respect, social mobility, and the delicate balance of rearing strong Black men.
The two creators of the film met while developing outreach programs in historically undercounted communities for the 2020 Census. Dionne served the Chicago Region's eight states as a Partnership Coordinator, while Drake led the Taskforce for Chicago’s predominantly Black and Hispanic communities. Both have experienced traumatic loss of male relatives at the hands of gun violence, and both felt it was time to stand up for Black fathers whose nuanced role in the lives of their children are overlooked on screen.
Featuring former 106 & Park host Mykel “Miss Mykie” Cooper in the lead female role of Patrice, The Best of Ira promises stunning character work and a gripping plot that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. This proof-of-concept film serves as a prelude to the pilot series, Best (formerly the Raising of an OG), which received several finalist awards from the likes of the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards and New York’s Big Apple Film Festival, among others in 2022. The show is currently being shopped for a production deal.
It also adds to that success of Chicago’s film industry by showcasing the unique stories and perspectives of Chicago’s Black community. As Dionne notes, “Every great Black story changes the landscape for Black people in film in some significant way, and this film promises to do just that by shining a light on the mental, emotional, and physical acrobatics Black men perform on a daily basis for their children. This film explores the complexities of fatherhood and Black masculinity, making it a valuable film for those looking to support diverse and meaningful storytelling.”
Booker adds, “The Best of Ira is a film that speaks to the responsibility of fathers to make sure his kids have the skills and resources to survive when he’s no longer there to support them. It’s a poignant look at the Black father-son relationship.”
With its crowdfunding campaign launching this week on Indiegogo, and production scheduled at the end of July 2023, lovers of film and culture still have an opportunity to support this important project.
You may contact dre@1919MediaCompany.com to discuss strategic film placement of your product or brand, or for more information on this short film.
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