Private Project

VIRGIN BLACKTOP : A New York Skate Odyssey

Medicine for divisive times about boys skating across boundaries to become men.

  • Charlie Samuels
    Director
  • Charlie Samuels
    Writer
  • Sarah Galloway
    Writer
    Hoop Dreams
  • Charlie Samuels
    Producer
  • Jamaal Bey
    Key Cast
    "Kermit Taylor"
  • Joe Humeres
    Key Cast
  • Stephon White
    Key Cast
  • Umberto Brownlee
    Key Cast
    "Pooh"
  • Charlie Samuels
    Key Cast
  • Jonathan Bell
    Key Cast
  • Chris Kinzel
    Key Cast
  • Michael Offen
    Key Cast
  • Ramsay Lewis
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    Human interest, Diversity, skateboarding, life, community, Love, death, music, funk, New York
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 6, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    44,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    8mm, Super8, 16mm, Hi8, HD, DSLR
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
    San Luis Obispo CA
    United States
    WORLD PREMIERE
    Feature Presentation
  • Paris Surf & Skateboard Film Festival
    Paris
    France
    WINNER: Best Documentary Skateboard
  • Milan Skateboard and Surf Film Festival
    Milan
    Italy
    NOMINATED: Grand Jury Award Finalist
  • Portuguese Surf Film Festival
    Ericeira
    Portugal
    WINNER: Best Skateboarding
  • Margaret Mead Film Festival at the American Museum of Natural History
    New York NY
    United States
    NEW YORK PREMIERE
    Not eligible for awards
  • DocUtah Film Festival
    St. George UT
    United States
    2ND PLACE: “Audience Favorite”
  • Mystic Film Festival
    Mystic CT
    WINNER: Audience Choice
  • Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival
    Tampa Bay FL
    WINNER: Best Documentary
  • Adirondack Film Festival
    Glens Falls NY
    United States
    WINNER Best Feature Film
  • Jersey Shore Film Festival
    Asbury Park NJ
    United States
    New Jersey Premiere
    WINNER Best Documentary Feature
  • YoFi Film Festival
    Yonkers NY
    Standing Ovation (no awards given at this festival)
  • Dunedin International Film Festival
    Dunedin FL
    Opening night film (no awards given at festival)
  • Columbia Film Festival
    Chatham NY
    No awards given at festival
  • Margaret Mead F.F. at University of the Virgin Islands
    St. Thomas, USVI
    No awards given at festival
Distribution Information
  • Seeking distribution (formally with 1091 Pictures)
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: Internet, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Hotel, Airline, Ship, Free TV, Console / Handheld Device
Director Biography - Charlie Samuels

Awards-winning director and photographer Charlie Samuels started by shooting the rise of NYC skateboarding for Thrasher magazine. Assignments then came from Sports Illustrated, Elle, Time, Vogue and The New York Times - where he landed the first photo of a skateboarder on the top front of page A1. His images cover Supreme apparel, Burton snowboards and Vans shoes. Charlie's feature film VIRGIN BLACKTOP will soon stream worldwide.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

A human interest film spanning 50 years about finding peace and brotherhood through the vehicle of skateboarding.