If you’re a TV or film creative looking for a Friday night that fuels your artistry and your network, you need to check out Five Film Fridays, the signature showcase event hosted by Create the Writers Room (CTWR). Last week, I finally pulled up to my first one, and it won’t be my last.
Curated by filmmaker and CTWR founder Rickey Castleberry, the mastermind behind the moving short The Distinguished, Five Film Fridays is where storytelling, strategy, and community meet.
“I was inspired to create Five Film Fridays as an outlet for all creatives to come, network, and build community,” said Castleberry. “This initiative is not only redefining access but also building real, scalable pathways for next-generation creatives to thrive and be seen on major platforms.”
It kicked off with a casual mix-and-mingle session, giving attendees time to connect over drinks and first impressions before we dimmed the lights and got into the work.
We screened a lineup of seven short films from emerging voices, each one offering a unique perspective, a sharp script, and visuals that lingered long after the credits rolled. While all were impressive, two films in particular hit home for me:
- Rocky Road on Channel Three by James Rogers III, starring Luke James and Camden Coley, follows a man confronting his younger self and the life he never chose. As a boy, he wanted to be a dancer, but due to his father’s expectations and the weight of hypermasculinity, he was pushed into baseball instead. Now, as a grown man, he’s left reckoning with the dreams he buried and the identity he suppressed.
- Before You Let Go by Jalen Blot and writer Kendra Jo, featuring a standout performance by Donna Biscoe, takes the audience on an emotional journey. And when I say Donna Biscoe is phenomenal, I mean it. The short film follows a woman (played by Biscoe) grappling with life after the passing of her husband. Something as simple as replacing an old coffee maker becomes symbolic of the change she just can’t bring herself to face. It’s a beautifully told story about aging, grief, and the quiet resistance to letting go.
But Five Film Fridays isn’t just about showcasing work, it’s about building the foundation to take that work further. After the first round of screenings, we dove into a power-packed panel on Creating the Right Team. The conversation centered around the truth that having a great product isn’t enough; you need a powerhouse team to elevate it. On stage were heavy-hitters like:
- Khalid Jordan (M88)
- Reggie Glosson (Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman)
- Roberto Larios (Verve)
- Stephanie Smalling (CAA)
Moderated by Leslie Ambriz from the Associated Press, the discussion was rich with real-world insight, including gems about ownership, long-term vision, and staying authentic.
The second panel, The Development Pipeline: Shaping Story & Strategy, broke down how stories move from idea to screen, featuring development execs from some of the biggest studios in the game:
- Mika Pryce (SVP, Development – Paramount Studios)
- Ryan Jones (SVP, Production – Universal)
- Shelia Walcott (SVP, Development – Warner Bros)
With Jamil Akim O’Quinn moderating, the conversation pulled the curtain back on how development decisions are made, how to get in the room (and stay there), and the importance of knowing your creative voice.
After the panels, it was back to screenings and more connections. One of the highlights of the night? Meeting Ryan Philander, who’s currently working on a documentary about Sam Cooke. As a lover of music history and Black storytelling, I’m excited to see that project evolve.
This year’s Five Film Fridays also had major stakes: Seven filmmakers had their work screened, but two will be selected for the first-ever CTWR Fellowship, which includes career coaching and meetings with top execs. On top of that, The Roku Channel has partnered with CTWR to stream these films globally.
Between the films, panels, and people, Five Film Fridays felt like a celebration and a blueprint. If you’re serious about storytelling and community, this is where you need to be.
Photo Credit: Tyreek Voltaire
