Private Project

Family Tree

Family Tree is the story of a family who don’t like each other, but find out that through thick and thin, they love each other. The family matriarch, Flora Hackney Jones, is challenged by her granddaughter, Kate to have a family reunion. Flora knew her children couldn’t speak two kind words to each other, less lone share a meal or party together. But Kate and her cousins manage to get almost everyone together plus some folks no one expects.

  • Karen Anderson
    Director
  • Karen Anderson
    Writer
  • Karen Anderson
    Producer
  • Serena Barnett
    Producer
  • Diana McMillan
    Producer
  • Camille Monae
    Key Cast
  • Jaye Larkin
    Key Cast
  • Lois F. West
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Family
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 39 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 2, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    60,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Oklahoma Urban Cinema Festival
    Nicoma Park
    United States
    April 10, 2015
  • Festival International du Film PanAfricain de Cannes
    Cannes
    France
    April 29, 2015
Director Biography - Karen Anderson

Karen J. Anderson is an artist, writer, photographer, publisher and filmmaker. I use a variety of methods to uplift, inform and educate African Americans and people of color.

In 2020-21, I worked with 5 Shorts out of Philly to create the short film, 14 to Fate. I wrote, directed, and produced the project with the wisdom of S.L. Sawyer and a small cast and crew. It is a short film, but a big message.

In 2014, I wrote and produced the feature film Family Tree, about a dysfunctional family that planned a family reunion after years of not speaking to one another. It showed in two film festivals, The Oklahoma Urban Film Festival, and the Festival International du Pan African in the Cannes in 2015.

I also wrote, produced and directed a documentary, For Such a Time as This, a history of the African American Church in North Texas and a short film, Wicked & Redeemed: Woman of the Bible, a narrative short telling stories of women from the bible in a very modern method.

I was born in Fort Worth, Texas during the heart of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. I am a product of integration in public schools being bussed in second grade. I later received an undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University and a Masters in New Arts Journalism from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I have worked as a journalist, book editor, corporate trainer, actor, producer, and many other things. I started writing when I was 12 years old and have been at it ever since.
Filmography
Writer (5 Credits)
14 to Fate

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This story was about family and all the ups and downs that go with being a part of one. I made this to have a good laugh and love my family. I believe stories can be told in many ways and use a variety of methods to uplift, inform and educate African American and people of color. I want my work to bring energy and life to a marginalized community to help it become strong and active. I want to do work that gets people to talking about the issues of life.