The mission of my production company, Image Quilt, is to use cinema to tell stories about people who have been marginalized in history and dig deep into hidden truths about humanity. 

I began to imagine making this film, Emancipado, about 20 years ago when I learned that my grandfather's mother, who came from Sierra Leone, was part of a community that included people who had emancipated themselves from slavery and returned to Africa in the 19th century.  They came from Brazil, Cuba, and parts of the Caribbean. 

Slowly, I began to write and develop "Emancipado", an episodic  feature film that tells the story of a fictionalized Afro-Cuban woman, Ifemorena, who dreams to return to Africa.  "Emancipado" delves into the circumstances that give rise to Ifemorena's dream -- the Lukumi community and flamenco family to whom she belongs is in crisis.

We began shooting the film this March and will continue to film principal photography in Cuba in December 2024.  Please consider making a donation to help us make the first three episodes of this feature film series: L'Amant Anonyme, Emancipado, and Lagos Dreamers.  With modest budgets, each film has the potential to open up a wide market for independently produced historical fiction.

My team includes fine actors and performers from Matanzas and Havana, Cuba, Orlando, Florida, and New York.  The film will be shot by skilled filmmakers and the scripts were developed through programs of Women of Cinematic Arts, an alumni group of the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, and the Binger Film Lab.

With your gift, we look forward to developing a relationship with you as a sponsor of this film series, at any level you are able.   Please watch the trailer here and consider making a contribution.

Tiered Levels of Giving:

(in the spirit of our film our levels of giving correspond with ideas which stem from Yoruba Spirituality)

The Ore  Level (Friend).  $50

As a Friend of the production, you will receive a pen with the words "Emancipado" which means emancipated in Spanish Language.

The Aburo Level (Brother/Sister):  $150

As an aburo (Brother or Sister) of the production, you will receive a commemorative "Emancipado" T-shirt and pen.

Viajero/Caballero Level (Traveller/Horseman): $250

As a Viajero/Caballero Level contributor, you will receive Zoom access to one day of our filming in Havana de Cuba as well as a commemorative "Emancipado" T-shirt and pen.

Flamenco Level:  $500

As a Flamenco Level contributor, you will receive access to a Flamenco Lesson with dancer/choreographer, Omonike Akinyemi as well as all previous level gifts.  Omonike is a dancer whose training stems from Ballet Hispanico of New York.  Her flamenco class will help you develop oyur artestry whether you are a beginner or professional through the exploration of questions whose answers are sought out through movement.

Ifa Level (Wisdom):  $1000

Ifa is the (orisha) deity who represents wisdom in Yoruba culture.  As an Ifa Level contributor, you will receive access to a Zoom Panel Discussion with a babalawo (high priest) of Ifa and practicioners from Afro-Cuban and Nigerian communities to discuss its resonances for African people and peoples of all cultures.  You will also receive all previous level gifts.

Egungun (Ancestral Voices Investor):  $2,500 - $5,000

Egungun are ancestors in Yoruba culture.  Their desires can be communicated through movement.  As an Egungun Investor, you are like an ancestor, guiding our project down a river to completion.  We offer you a hand carved mask from West Africa as well as all previous gifts.

Associate Producer:  $10,000

As an investor at the Associate Producer Level, we are able to offer you 1% of the sales of our film globally as well as all previous level gifts.

Co-Producer: $20,000

As an investor at the Co-Producer Level, we are able to offer you 2% of the sales of our film globally as well as all previous level gifts.