Jeffrey W. Byrd

Afrocentricity

Tanya Boyd, Jeffrey W. Byrd

On the surface, this collection of shorts by up-and-coming African American filmmakers arrived at a perfect time. The cutting-edge products of the New Black Cinema of the early '90s had disappeared, giving way to embarrassingly stereotypical, scatological fare such as Booty Call and Next Friday. This feature-packed compilation (which includes production notes, interviews with all of the filmmakers, and audio commentary by four) attempts to prove that African American cinema is intent on moving past the lowbrow humor, as six of the seven shorts steer clear of any comedy. Featuring: The Gift, directed by Tanya Boyd; Hip-Hop: The New World Order, directed by Muhammida El Muhaijr; Kings, directed by Niva Dorell; Breakfast at Ben's, directed by Chuck Wilson; A Gut Feeling, directed by Lee Davis; Breakdown, directed by Jeff Byrd; true., directed by Charles Stone III

Rhapsody

Jeffrey W. Byrd

Wood Harris, LisaRaye McCoy

When an old flame turns up again, a succesful singer is determined to rekindle their relationship.

Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story

Jeffrey W. Byrd

Niecy Nash, Garfield Wilson

At the age of 18, Alexis discovers she was abducted as a baby and the mother she thought was hers is really her kidnapper.

Jasper, Texas

Jeffrey W. Byrd

Roy T. Anderson, Jon Voight

In 1998, three white men in the small town of Jasper, Texas, chained a black man to the back of their pickup truck and dragged him to his death. This film relates that story and how it affected all of the residents of the town, both black and white.

Seventeen Again

Jeffrey W. Byrd

Tia Mowry, Tamera Mowry-Housley

Cat and Gene have been divorced for several years. They are both visiting their son and their grandchildren, Sydney and Willie. Willie's a genius who develops a formula that makes who uses it young again, it inadvertently spills into some soap that Willie places in his grandparents room. When each of them uses it they finds themselves 17 again. Willie had to find a way to reverse the process but will his grandparents want to be old again?

Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs

Jeffrey W. Byrd

Richard T. Jones, Anthony 'Treach' Criss

Book of Love delivers humor along with the mysteries of unrequited love and relationships gone bad. The film's story line focuses on three men living, dating and loving in Los Angeles in the 90's. They struggle with heartbreak and insecurity as a result of failed relationships. The three characters’ stories unfold through sessions with their therapist – sessions that are often as comedic as they are insightful.

A Beautiful Soul

Jeffrey W. Byrd

Deitrick Haddon, Harry Lennix

An R&B singer snagged by the trappings of superstardom loses his way and turns his back on his church and faith-filled beginnings. Tragedy strikes, leaving a chance for redemption in its wake. But with rebirth, first comes death.

Truth Be Told

Jeffrey W. Byrd

Regina King, Blair Underwood

Rayne Johnson is a shrewd investment company assistant who turns a mob slaying into a golden opportunity for a new improved lifestyle, managing to outsmart the crooked cops who are very eager to see her disappear.

King's Ransom

Jeffrey W. Byrd

Anthony Anderson, Jay Mohr

Hoping to foil his own gold-digging wife's plan, a loathsome businessman arranges his own kidnapping, only to realize that there are plenty of other people interested in his wealth as well.