Black is... Black Ain't is a 1994 documentary film directed by Marlon Riggs

Marlon Riggs

Marlon Troy Riggs was a gay African-American filmmaker, educator, poet, and gay rights activist. He produced, wrote, and directed several television documentaries, including Ethnic Notions, Tongues Untied, Color Adjustment, and Black Is. ....

. The film was awarded the Filmmakers Trophy for best documentary at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Film Festival

The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...

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Overview

The film tells the story that the African experience comes in as many varieties and voices as the imagination allows, and that African Americans, instead of reaching for the narrowness of a single identity, should celebrate their diversity. It intermixes poetry and dance with analysis by leading voices in culture, race, education and media.