Eavesdropping on the Elders
A girl is unknowingly challenged with the task of bridging the gap between 2 generations. With a little help from her father, she's forced into another world where she's confronted with lessons from the past.
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Kiah ClingmanDirectorOutgraded, Outlandish
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Robinson VilDirectorThick Skin
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Kiah ClingmanWriter
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CJ SykesWriterOutgraded, Dark Horse
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Kiah ClingmanProducerPlucked, Outgraded, Dark Horse, Outlandish, Philando, VaVaVoom, My Package
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Shaka Satori- The African-American Legacy NetworkProducer
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Kiah ClingmanKey Cast"Kiah"
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CJ SykesKey Cast"Ken Bridges"
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Mac WellsKey Cast"Marcus Garvey"
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Miko DeFoorKey Cast"Booker T. Washington"
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Khalimah GastonKey Cast"Maria White"
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Candice SingletonKey Cast"Mary McLeod Bethune"
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Terayle HillKey Cast"David Walker"
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Briana StarksKey Cast"Hattie McDaniel"
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Todd Anthony ManaigoKey Cast"Frederick Douglas"
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Brittany IngeKey Cast"Ida B. Wells"Boomerang
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Jarrett Michael CollinsKey Cast"W.E.B. DuBois"
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Chad ChambersKey Cast"Martin Delaney"
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Roxzane MimsKey Cast"Harriet Tubman"Greenleaf
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Jim ClingmanKey Cast"Jim"
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Project Type:Short
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Genres:Historical, Drama, Sci-Fi
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Runtime:18 minutes
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Completion Date:August 20, 2020
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Production Budget:15,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Social Justice Now Film FestivalLos Angeles, California
United States
October 24, 2020
Official Selection -
Denton Black Film FestivalDenton, Texas
United States
January 27, 2021
Texas Premiere
Official Selection -
San Francisco Black Film FestivalSan Francisco
United States
June 20, 2021
Official Selection -
Seattle Black Film FestivalSeattle
United States
April 23, 2021
Best Film -
Black Feedback Film Festival
Canada
May 16, 2021
Best Performances -
Charlotte Black Film FestivalCharlotte, North Carolina
United States
June 26, 2021
Finalist -
DC Black Film FestivalWashington D.C.
United States
August 19, 2021
Official Selection -
Morehouse College Human Rights Film FestivalAtlanta Georgia
United States
September 25, 2021
Award Nominee -
The RSF Martha's Vineyard Film FestivalMartha's Vineyard
United States
August 13, 2021
Official Selection -
Bronze Lens Film FestivalAtlanta, Georgia
United States
August 18, 2021
Official Selection -
Black Legacy Film FestivalHBCU Graduates
United States
October 24, 2021
Official Selection -
New Orleans Film FestivalNew Orleans
United States
Official Selection -
Micheaux Film FestivalLos Angeles, California
United States
April 26, 2021
California Premiere
Official Selection -
9th Annual I've Known Rivers Film Festival of of Arts, Culture & EducationLos Angeles, California
United States
November 9, 2020
West Coast Premiere
Official Selection -
Pan African Film FestivalLos Angeles, California
United States
March 5, 2021
Official Selection -
Capital City Black Film FestivalAustin, Texas
United States
December 3, 2021
Official Selection -
Spokane International Film FestivalSpokane, Washington
United States
February 4, 2022
Official Selection
Kiah Alexandria Clingman is a passionate content creator who merges her corporate skills with her creative talents. Her biggest accomplishment to date is producing a webseries, Outlandish, that has over 400,000 views on YouTube and was considered by Issa Rae Productions for Season 2 distribution/production. She is a 2020 Southern Producers Lab Fellow.
I’m almost in tears as I write this letter. I can’t believe it’s taken me almost 2 years to be brave enough to complete my first script. I’m okay with this process because this has been a journey and I am now in the perfect headspace and place in my life to execute what I started.
I’ve dealt with the hardest thing I've ever been through the past 5 years. My dad is dying of ALS and although I’ve tried more ways than one to escape the reality, I’ve realized the truth despite. My daddy, my best friend, is leaving me and I want to be able to say goodbye. I want to be able to give him a fraction of the love he’s given me these last 25 years. The best way I knew how to continue his legacy was by adapting an excerpt from his book into a short film entitled: Eavesdropping on the Elders.
This film is about a girl who is unknowingly challenged with the task of bridging the gap between two generations. With help from her father, she enters another world that confronts her with cultural lessons from the past.
If you research my dad on Google, you’ll see many websites say he is “the nation’s most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people.” He has written 10 books (my favorite is Fathers and Daughters). He’s started multiple entrepreneurship high schools around the country and has helped thousands of minorities acquire work on contracts that would never have considered a “diversity” hire. As a firm believer in helping others and using his blessings to bless others, he has led a life of advocacy, initiative, and unwavering commitment to his belief in collective rather individual achievement and progress.
My dad continues his mission even though he is unable to walk, write, or move without heavy assistance. He still lives for his purpose: to empower others despite his weakness. His strengths and experiences have fueled my passion and have had an impact not only on my mom and me, but society as a whole.
But even with all of these accomplishments, to me, he is just my daddy. He’s the man who I couldn’t wait to jump into his arms after a long road trip. He’s the man who would continually bring my violin to school every time I forgot it. Not once did he miss a recital, a performance, a play, or a pageant. He’s always seen the best in me and he’s been there for me in my dark room when I was feeling alone and inadequate. He’s been the only person I know to really see me.
This film is not only for him, but it is for our people. I made it to inspire black people. To let us know we are on the right track and that our elders and our ancestors are here to guide us and lift us up They are here to teach us and to protect us. All we have to do is listen to their teachings and follow their lead.
-Kiah Alexandria Clingman