422: Filmmakers Karen Chapman (Village Keeper) and Samir Oliveros (The Luckiest Man In America)

In this week’s episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we welcome movie directors Karen Chapman and Samir Oliveros, both had films to premiere out of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.  Chapman’s ‘Village Keeper’ and Oliveros’ ‘The Luckiest Man In America’.

Segment 1: Born to a Guyanese family that nurtured her instinctive creative problem solving skills, award-winning artist Karen Chapman has always been acquainted with versatility. Her steep background in documentary storytelling developed a voice and style that is compassionate, compelling and brave. Preparing her for an expansive repertoire of films that includes documentaries, narratives, animation, interactive-virtual reality and installation. At the service of every story, Chapman always strives to center work that is grounded in impact. Chapman, a graduate of Norman Jewison’s Canadian Film Center, had her earlier short film Measure debut at the Toronto Film Festival in 2019 and win the International Hollywood Foreign Press and Residency Award at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards, which she attended. Her most recent film, the documentary Quiet Minds Silent Streets, had a world premiere at TIFF in 2022.

Host: Jamie

Segment 2: Samir Oliveros was born in Bogotá, Colombia. His first feature, BAD LUCKY GOAT, funded through kickstarter, premiered at SXSW in 2017 and went on to play over 70 festivals including BFI London and TIFF Next Wave. His AFI thesis, CACTUS BLOSSOM, was awarded with a DGA Jury Prize. He is a founding partner in PLENTY GOOD, the production company behind CHRONICLES OF A WANDERING SAINT, winner of the Adam Yauch Hornblower award at SXSW 2023 and nominated for 3 independent Spirit Awards.

Host: Jamie

Music by: Sammus
Edited by: Jamie Broadnax