| "Sisters in Cinema" examines three first time achievements for African American women feature film directors. Julie Dash's Daughters of the Dust (1991) was the first feature film by an African American woman to receive national theatrical distribution. Darnell Martin's I Like it Like That (1994) was the first feature film by an African American woman to be produced by a major Hollywood studio. Cheryl Dunye's The Watermelon Woman (1996) was the first Black lesbian feature film. The main question explored is, "How did she do it?" The research design is based on the case study method, primarily focusing on three basic research methodologies: (1) interviews with filmmakers, producers, distributors, and other industry professionals, (2) data collection, and (3) review of literature. The case studies also focus on the three different financing structures used and how the financing subsequently affected all aspects of production---from development through exhibition. A brief history of Black independent cinema focusing on African American women and their participation in the industry precedes the case studies in order to provide a context within which to consider these unique achievements. A chapter which examines current African American women's filmmaking and looks toward the future follows the case studies. |
