Private Project

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.

  • Kiah Clingman
    Director
    Outgraded, Outlandish
  • Robinson Vil
    Director
    Thick Skin
  • Kiah Clingman
    Writer
  • CJ Sykes
    Writer
    Outgraded, Dark Horse
  • Kiah Clingman
    Producer
    Plucked, Outgraded, Dark Horse, Outlandish, Philando, VaVaVoom, My Package
  • Shaka Satori- The African-American Legacy Network
    Producer
  • Kiah Clingman
    Key Cast
    "Kiah"
  • CJ Sykes
    Key Cast
    "Ken Bridges"
  • Mac Wells
    Key Cast
    "Marcus Garvey"
  • Miko DeFoor
    Key Cast
    "Booker T. Washington"
  • Khalimah Gaston
    Key Cast
    "Maria White"
  • Candice Singleton
    Key Cast
    "Mary McLeod Bethune"
  • Terayle Hill
    Key Cast
    "David Walker"
  • Briana Starks
    Key Cast
    "Hattie McDaniel"
  • Todd Anthony Manaigo
    Key Cast
    "Frederick Douglas"
  • Brittany Inge
    Key Cast
    "Ida B. Wells"
    Boomerang
  • Jarrett Michael Collins
    Key Cast
    "W.E.B. DuBois"
  • Chad Chambers
    Key Cast
    "Martin Delaney"
  • Roxzane Mims
    Key Cast
    "Harriet Tubman"
    Greenleaf
  • Jim Clingman
    Key Cast
    "Jim"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Historical, Drama, Sci-Fi
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 20, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Social Justice Now Film Festival
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    October 24, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Denton Black Film Festival
    Denton, Texas
    United States
    January 27, 2021
    Texas Premiere
    Official Selection
  • San Francisco Black Film Festival
    San Francisco
    United States
    June 20, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Seattle Black Film Festival
    Seattle
    United States
    April 23, 2021
    Best Film
  • Black Feedback Film Festival

    Canada
    May 16, 2021
    Best Performances
  • Charlotte Black Film Festival
    Charlotte, North Carolina
    United States
    June 26, 2021
    Finalist
  • DC Black Film Festival
    Washington D.C.
    United States
    August 19, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival
    Atlanta Georgia
    United States
    September 25, 2021
    Award Nominee
  • The RSF Martha's Vineyard Film Festival
    Martha's Vineyard
    United States
    August 13, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Bronze Lens Film Festival
    Atlanta, Georgia
    United States
    August 18, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Black Legacy Film Festival
    HBCU Graduates
    United States
    October 24, 2021
    Official Selection
  • New Orleans Film Festival
    New Orleans
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Micheaux Film Festival
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    April 26, 2021
    California Premiere
    Official Selection
  • 9th Annual I've Known Rivers Film Festival of of Arts, Culture & Education
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    November 9, 2020
    West Coast Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Pan African Film Festival
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    March 5, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Capital City Black Film Festival
    Austin, Texas
    United States
    December 3, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Spokane International Film Festival
    Spokane, Washington
    United States
    February 4, 2022
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Kiah Clingman, Robinson Vil

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.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

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