Director, Producing Team, and Launch Partners Announced

(Black PR Wire) Atlanta, GA - Today, award-winning filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper (James Brown: Say it Loud,  Versailles' 73) announced that the upcoming feature-length documentary film, "Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage," will be officially introduced to the art, entertainment, and media industries through a series of sponsored events during Art Basel Miami. With the Romare Bearden Foundation as a lead co-producer on the film, Riley Draper has exclusive rights to the Romare Bearden archives and will provide an unprecedented exploration of the life and legacy of this iconic American artist.

"We are thrilled to have Deborah Riley Draper helm this project and amplify the extraordinary talent of Romare Bearden,” said Tallal ElBoushi, Chairman, Romare Bearden Foundation. “This documentary will illustrate my uncle’s singular talent and the ways he uniquely shaped the art world as a Black man pushing boundaries across art, activism, athletics, and community." 

"I connect deeply with Romare Bearden's revolutionary use of collage to weave compelling African American narratives within his artwork,” said Deborah Riley Draper, Director. “I see my family and our lived experience in his work. Bearden's work and his journey are critical in facilitating conversations on race, place, and our universal connection. His work does that masterfully."  

Currently in development, the film, produced by Coffee Bluff Pictures, is envisioned as a cinematic collage that mirrors Bearden's artistic techniques, weaving together never before seen and rarely seen artwork, audio recordings, newly discovered 16mm footage, including conversations with Alvin Ailey and James Baldwin, drawings, songs, and letters. The film will offer an intimate and immersive portrait of Bearden's work, traveling through American history— imbued with his memories from the South to Harlem to Pittsburgh to Paris— cementing Bearden's profound impact on the art world and today's most prolific artists. 

The film is produced by three-time Emmy winner Jarobi Moorhead (Little Richard: I Am Everything, Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project) and executive producers Alva Greenberg (Curator), Jocelyn Moore (Entrepreneur/Investor and Tony-nominated co-producer of August Wilson’s Broadway play "The Piano Lesson", inspired by Bearden's painting of the same name), and Robin Lyon (Founder of digital media company Baller Alert Media).

Art Basel Miami Events

• Monday, December 2, 2024 – The week of events kicks off with an exclusive private dinner for artists, filmmakers, art collectors, investors, and influencers sponsored by Moët Hennessy. 

• Tuesday, December 3, 2024 – On Giving Tuesday, we will co-host a virtual fundraiser for the film with our fiscal sponsor, Southern Documentary Fund.

• Wednesday, December 4, 2024 (3:00 pm) – LVMH Culture House will host a panel discussion entitled "Art, Activism, and the Power of Bearden." This event will offer the first look at the documentary teaser and unveil a rare installation of Romare Bearden's 19-piece series "Bayou Fever."

• Thursday, December 5, 2024 – Salesforce will host an exclusive private dinner for Executives at Soho House, featuring several pieces of Romare Bearden’s art and a fireside chat on “How Agents Can Transform the Creative World” moderated by Director Deborah Riley Draper.

For additional "Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage” event details or media credentials, please email: events@romarebeardenfilm.com. 

About Romare Bearden Foundation

The Romare Bearden Foundation was established in 1990 as a non-profit organization by the estate of Romare Bearden to preserve and perpetuate the legacy of this preeminent American artist and Bearden's artworks and extensive archives of books, articles, letters, photographs, and other materials. www.beardenfoundation.org

About Coffee Bluff Pictures

Coffee Bluff Pictures, an Atlanta-based creative studio founded by Deborah Riley Draper, creates film, television and trans-media content that centers diverse voices, places, and stories. Inspired by the resilience and optimism of Coffee Bluff Road, a "former slave community" outside Savannah, the company champions narratives that resonate with universal audiences and foster a deeper understanding of our shared human journey. www.coffeebluffpictures.com

About Moët-Hennessey USA

Moët Hennessy USA is the leading importer and marketer of luxury wines, spirits, and champagnes in the United States. It represents a portfolio of prestigious brands from the LVMH group, including Moët & Chandon, Hennessy, Veuve Clicquot, and Dom Pérignon, among others. Its mission is to enrich consumers' experiences by offering exceptional products and promoting responsible consumption. www1.mhusa.com

About LVMH Culture House

Open Daily from December 4-8, 2024, (10AM-6PM ET), the LVMH Culture House is an immersive art gallery popup, now in its fourth annual edition, returning to Miami’s vibrant Design District for a limited 5-day engagement during Art Basel. Step into the LVMH Culture House experience, showcasing a captivating collection of works from diverse voices. Prepare to be moved by thought-provoking pieces from artists of color, women and individuals with disabilities. Engage in impactful panels with LVMH Maison presidents, visionary entrepreneurs, culture creators, and tech innovators – all champions of creativity and inclusivity. Located at 151 NE 41ST Street – 3rd Floor, Miami, FL 33137. www.miamidesigndistrict.com/listing/1280/lvmh-culture-house/

About Salesforce

Salesforce helps organizations of any size reimagine their business for the world of AI. With Agentforce, Salesforce's trusted platform, organizations can bring humans together with agents to drive customer success—powered by AI, data, and action. www.salesforce.com

About Southern Documentary Fund

Founded in 2002, Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) is a nonprofit arts organization that cultivates documentary media made in or about the American South, sponsoring makers in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Inspired by our core belief that media has the power to change lives, we provide makers with diverse resources, including grants, fiscal sponsorship, mentorship programs, community engagement, and continued education and training – all with the intent of championing Southern documentary media and lowering barriers to entry for Southern makers. www.southerndocumentaryfund.org