A Toast to Diversity: Gentleman Jack’s “Real to Reel” Celebrates Black Filmmakers for the Eighth Year
As we surge into 2025, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, in partnership with Codeblack Entertainment, remains at the forefront of championing diverse voices in the film industry. Their initiative, “Real to Reel,” a national competition for budding Black filmmakers, continues to build diversity in Hollywood. This contest shines a spotlight on the creativity and talent of these filmmakers, providing them with a unique platform to showcase their work. The winner of the national competition is rewarded with $10,000 and the opportunity to screen their short film at the esteemed Black Film Festival in Miami, in front of an exclusive audience of industry professionals.
Continuing its eighth year successfully, Gentleman Jack Real to Reel is proud to partner with -winning actor, producer, and writer Omari Hardwick to advocate the importance of inspiring and developing more diverse voices in the film industry. “Gentleman Jack’s Real to Reel program continues to help build diversity in Hollywood,” says Omari Hardwick. “I’m proud to continue this partnership to help open doors for new talent in Black cinema.”
Past Winners and Future Prospects
The 2018 winning film, Daddy’s Big Girl, seamlessly shifted between heart-wrenching and uplifting in a stirring account leveraging childhood, fatherhood, and love’s power to transcend ‘s greatest losses. Filmmaker Damien Smith and Daddy’s Big Girl were highlighted during the 2019 Real to Reel program.
In conjunction with the national contest, the program also spotlights talent as part of a six- screening tour. Each stop features a panel discussion with industry experts and showcases projects from local filmmakers. The 2025 Gentleman Jack Real to Reel local screening tour will visit:
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Atlanta
- Dallas
- Miami
How to Participate
The Gentleman Jack Real to Reel contest is open to individuals who have created, directed, and/or written a film in which they own the rights. Entrants must be 21 years old or older at the time of submission. Entries close on May 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Submissions will be judged by a panel of industry experts, based on the following criteria: screenwriting, production quality, and entertainment value.
Exciting Sweepstakes
New this year, the program also features a sweepstakes where one lucky winner will receive $500 and a trip for two to New York to attend a private watch party hosted by Omari Hardwick to view the final season of POWER. The “Watch Party with Omari Hardwick” Sweepstakes ends on May 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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