Episode #154 with Shawn Edwards

In this episode, it's all about (mostly) Black films and I'm in conversation with professional film critic & film producer Shawn Edwards about The Black Experience within film, including the importance of a good distribution network to showcase Black cinema to the wider global audience.  Shawn discusses what Black cinema and content making means to him; his honest views about the OSCARS; how the role of the film critic has evolved within the age of Social Media & influencers.  Shawn and I geek out over 'Star Wars' and have an in depth chat about one of our most favourite films recently released, 'Sinners'.  I also ask Shawn about his upcoming book 'Little Black Sambo's Revenge', what led to the creation of the African American Film Critics Association, and 'Celebration of Black Cinema and Television' with the Critics Choice Association.  And of course, Shawn shares the quotes that are continually shaping his life and career.

Shawn Edwards is a journalist, TV and film producer and marketing and event consultant. As a nationally recognized film critic for Fox 4 News in Kansas City, Missouri for the past 25 years he has won numerous national awards including Best TV Film Critic twice by the LA Press Club's National Entertainment Journalism Awards. 

Edwards co-founded the African American Film Critics Association in 2003. He is also currently serving his second term on the Board of the Critics Choice Association. Edwards created and executive produces 'Celebration of Black Cinema and Television' in conjunction with the Critics Choice Association which premiered in 2014 in Los Angeles at the House of Blues Sunset. The annual awards show airs nationally each February.

Edwards began his producing career producing numerous TV shows and documentaries for FGW Productions and BlackTree TV, both based in Los Angeles in 2008. Edwards worked for Hidden Empire Film Group (“Traffik,” “Black and Blue,” “The Intruder” and “Fatale”), based in Los Angeles, as a Senior Marketing Specialist from 2016 to 2021. Edwards is overseeing plans to build a Black Movie Hall of Fame which will be based in the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District in Kansas City, Missouri. The Hall of Fame, an idea Edwards created, will open in 2026 in the Boone Theater with Edwards functioning as its executive director.

Edwards is a life-long lover of movies who began making his own films in the 7th grade. His passion for cinema, particularly the history of black film, is extraordinary. And his cinematic journey continues…

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at theswingingpalmtree@gmail.com.

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!