Experiencing Interruptions?

Black Cases

After intervening in a domestic dispute involving his mother, 17-year-old Antoine finds himself caught up in all the trappings of a judicial system that refuses to see him for the boy he is and wills to catapult him into adulthood.

  • Tamara Jackson
    Director
  • Tamara R. Jackson
    Writer
  • Tamara R. Jackson
    Producer
  • Shameka Sawyer
    Producer
  • Tyler Hawkins
    Key Cast
    "Antoine Flowers"
  • T.C. "Storm" Caldwell
    Key Cast
    "Bill"
  • Tamara R. Jackson
    Key Cast
    "Theresa"
  • William "Bill" Holmes
    Key Cast
    "Public Defender"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 29 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 25, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    HDV
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • B. PHL Film Festival
    Philadelphia
    United States
    September 29, 2021
    Offical Selection
  • Best Shorts Competition
    La Jolla
    United States
    Offical Selection
  • Black Panther International Short Film Festival

    India
    January 15, 2022
    Offical Selection
Director Biography - Tamara Jackson

Tamara R. Jackson has been writing since her youth. Tamara is known for transporting audiences into alternate realities and making complex subjects digestible with roots grounded in poetry and spoken word. She truly believes in the power of stories to heal. To cope with the pandemic while helping others do the same, Tamara once again turned to the pen for refuge and was able to write and direct her debut short film Black Cases. With an undeniable love for words and their ability to transform, Tamara looks forward to building a body of work as a director that invites all who view it room for contemplation and layers of conversation.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Black Cases is a short film adapted from a poem I wrote years ago by the same name. The film pivots from the poem in many ways, providing me the opportunity to fully present the story of Antoine Flowers, our main character. In true transparency, this film chose me, as I was convinced I would submit a different idea when submitting for season 7 of the 5 Shorts Project. The 5 Shorts Project, located in Philadelphia, teaches individuals with no prior experience the filmmaking process. For weeks leading up to the submission deadline, I was awakened with stanzas of the poem on my mind. The challenges of creating this film centered solely around the pandemic. This journey began when we were in full quarantine mode. Despite the challenges the cast was great - each dedicated, professional, and committed to the message of this film. As a first-time director, the filmmaking process taught me how to pivot quickly, release myself from my own expectations, and to trust the process. My greatest hope for those who will watch Black Cases is that it sparks deep contemplation, stimulates conversation that then moves into action for much needed changes in how black and brown youth are treated in the judicial system.