Veteran filmmaker receives lifetime achievement award

By Neil Armstrong

Stanley Nelson, a multi-award winning African American director and filmmaker, was honoured at the opening of the 14th annual Toronto Black Film Festival with a lifetime achievement award.

Describing him as “legendary” and a “giant of documentary cinema,” Fabienne Colas, co-founder of the festival, said Nelson is widely regarded as the foremost chronicler of the African American experience in non-fiction film.

His films include “The Murder of Emmett Till,” “Freedom Riders,” “Freedom Summer,” “Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution,” “Tell Them We Are Rising,” “Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple,” “Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool,” and the Academy Award-nominated “Attica.” His film, “Rise Up: The Movement that Changed America,” features civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, Bill Clinton and Cory Booker.

“In addition to honors for his individual films, Nelson and his body of work have garnered major awards in the industry. He is a MacArthur ‘Genius’ Fellow and received the National Medal in the Humanities from President Barack Obama,” notes his biography.

Colas said Nelson’s films have shaped the historical and cultural consciousness of generations.

“With 10 premieres at the Sundance Film Festival, he holds the distinction of more premieres there than any other documentary filmmaker,” she told those gathered at the Isabel Bader Theatre on February 11.

His latest film, “We Want the Funk!,” was screened at the Carlton Cinema in Toronto. It traces the cultural power and global influence of funk music.

“Beyond his filmmaking, he’s the co-founder of Firelight Media, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting emerging documentary filmmakers of colour.”

Colas presented the award to Nelson “for his bold, selfless dedication to his craft, his immense body of work which transcends generations, for breaking barriers and inspiring people around the globe.”

Nelson said he was grateful to receive such an honour. He said they were from New York City and felt at home in Toronto.

He said “We Want the Funk!” is a celebratory film in a time when happiness is needed. “That’s why the reaction to the film has been so incredible. We really need happiness at this time.”

He said what is happening in his country is not normal and people are feeling under attack.

“We have to fight it and we’ve fought so hard for generations. We fight it with love and happiness. That’s why we wanted to make the film about funk music. There’s no such thing as a sad funk song. We’re going to succeed in the fight we’re up against if we do it with love and a smile on our face.”

Nelson said Firelight Media has been successful because there are many talented people of colour “who just need a hand and if you give them a hand, they can do incredible things.”

Also recognized for their outstanding work in film were Scarborough-born brothers and actors Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, who were presented with a career achievement award.

Both expressed gratitude to everyone who helped them along their journey, especially their mother, Carmelita Anderson, who was in the audience.

Describing the brothers as award-winning artists and Scarborough Walk of Fame inductees, Colas said their impact extends far beyond the screen.

“Internationally celebrated for their compelling performances, Shamier Anderson has starred in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4,’ ‘Invasion,’ and ‘Bruised,’ while Stephan James is known for his role in ‘Selma,’ ‘If Beale Street Could Talk,’ and the Netflix film ‘War Machine.’ Together, they have distinguished themselves as powerful forces in film and television,” she noted.