Queens City Film Project (QCFP) is a women-led and woman-loved collective of filmmakers in the Greater Charlotte area, committed to creating work that changes hearts and minds. We're long-time Charlotte residents, and we recognize change is needed. This film will show people how to get it!

"Justice for all just ain't specific enough" - Common.

We watched our country try to find its way through an eruption of consciousness last summer. Today we're asking ourselves, What is justice? What does it look like? Who is it for? Is justice really for all... or are we still honoring the invisible asterisks next to it, the way our "founding fathers" wrote it?

 

When a beloved barber is killed by police, his sister and best friend take justice into their own hands, uniting their southern community to fight police brutality and corruption.

 

Our story takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of the top-ten fastest-growing cities in the United States. When you explore the city you'll take in the modern skyline, the trendy diversity, and the southern charm. But watch your step, or you'll trip over the deep roots of the confederate south.

 

Regina Fletcher is pushing 30. A photographer at The Observer, she struggles to align her vision and her passion--but she has no idea her passion will find her. When her brother Roland is killed by CMPD, the lens of her everyday world shatters into pieces. While her community bombards her with questions about "justice," Regina wonders what that is. Most Black families in her situation are failed by the justice system; will Roland’s story won’t be any different? After years of watching Black names pop up as hashtags, she doesn’t know if justice is tangible for her or her brother. But when the media casts a shadow over Roland's life, and the CMPD launches an active coverup, the shattered lens reassembles into sharp focus. Knowing she can’t do it alone, she teams up with her brother’s best friends and her entire community to bring the city of Charlotte to a halt. She fights not only for justice for her brother, but so that every citizen will recognize the part they play in a broken system. Regina will do whatever it takes to implement the change she wants to see--even if it’s a national standoff with CMPD.

 

KNOW JUSTICE KNOW PEACE is a look into how much death by POLICE BRUTALITY leaves on those left behind. Life doesn’t end for the loved ones of the victims. Many of them feel hopeless and lost after they lose someone to a broken system and many of them never have the opportunity to receive justice. What would life look like if we actually fixed this system and held officers accountable? First, we must recognize that the police force was not created to SERVE & PROTECT It was created to catch slaves. Then after slavery, it becomes a tool to control freed slaves, creating laws that would allow black people to be arrested if they are out after dark and many other minor petty crimes that lead to mass incarceration and unnecessary deaths of many black men, women, and children over centuries. 

Many black COMMUNITIES are overly policed and lack many resources that would give them the opportunity to thrive socially, educationally, and economically. But even with the dire needs many black neighborhoods face, one thing that would be the first step to change is UNITY. Banded together, the black community can truly move mountains and bring the CHANGE we all deserve. Regina knows that she has to be the advocate for her brother, but she also knows she can’t do it alone. It takes a village.

If it came down to it, how much are you willing to fight and sacrifice for your FRIENDS & FAMILY? What are you willing to put on the line for the ones that you love and cherish. Regina is prepared to do whatever it takes to fight for the justice her brother deserves but is she willing to put her life on the line for it? What if your family is fighting on the wrong side of HISTORY? What if the thing they are willing to protect are the very things you don’t believe is right? If family is everything, what lines are you willing or not willing to cross? As the truth unfolds, both Camden and Katie have to look at themselves to answer that very question. 

As this country continues to fight against brutality and INJUSTICE, we must take a look around to see those who are fighting with us - who don’t look like us. Is it fair to ask others what is the why that motivates their ALLYSHIP? Why are you fighting with us? At one point you may wonder about the difference between allyship and WHITE SAVIORISM. If there is a difference? If so then what is it? 

The topic of Police Brutality is one I've been studying for years. Back in 2015, I wrote a play, Unarmed & Dangerous, focusing on the story of Jonathan Ferrell who was killed by Police in Charlotte, NC in 2013. It's something I am deeply passionate about. One day in 2018, I was listening to Freedom by Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar. The lyrics gave me the idea for the plot of a story of an unarmed black man being killed and how his sister and best friend take matters into their own hands. It wasn't until December 2019, while on the train in NYC I heard the song again but this time the entire movie played out in my head in 4 minutes and 48 seconds. That night I started writing the first draft and within 6 days it was finished. As we watched all the horrific and unjust events in 2020 I started realizing that the problem wasn't just the police, it was the laws that protected them and when Killer Mike said "beat them up at the polls" I knew this story was about to go in an unexpected and exciting new direction. Empowerment in the people.

 

Because of the 219 names of black men, women, and children killed by the police from 1964-2020. In 2015 I wrote the play Unarmed & Dangerous about a community dealing with the death of Jonathan Ferrell, killed by CMPD in 2013. At that time I began collecting names, and every time news breaks on another victim, I add another name to the list.

As I explored what justice is intended to be and how it has failed Black Americans, I realized asking for justice isn't enough. Defunding the system isn't enough either. A good tree can't grow from bad roots. We need to abolish this entire system and rebuild it with everyone in mind.

I want the audience to walk away from this film empowered to fight for themselves and their community. I want this film to present tools and strategies to demand change, justice, and equity we need from our cities and this country. We all deserve so much better--and we're going to get it.

As a black woman in America, I feel a sense of urgency to empower my people. As a writer, I fully understand that perception is reality. But how much longer do we accept realities skewed by racism? How much longer will we continue to allow prejudice to shape our systems and our lives? There are so many Black Americans who feel nothing will ever change for us, not realizing that the change starts with us. We have to unite our communities and fight to change the laws that allow police brutality to exist. I'm tired of adding names to the list. Now is the only time.

We want you to partner with us to bring the necessary and empowering story to life. With your contribution, we can take care of the cost of production, equipment rentals, logistics, catering, insurance, legal fees, location fees, supplies needed for production design and covid safety, and most importantly the ability to pay our cast and crew. We are committed to the safety of our staff, cast, and crew and will be investing in hiring Covid Compliance Officers, consistent testing, and PPE to keep everyone safe and healthy. 

 

Police brutality isn't just a Black and Brown issue. It's a national crisis, and we must all do our part to dismantle this corrupt system. We believe we can do that with this stor--by entertaining, educating, and empowering the people. 

With your contribution, you're:

*investing in women filmmakers;

*supporting the small Black and local business we're partnering with; and

*joining the right side of history.

And we created fun incentives for you, to let you know we appreciate your partnership with us.

Thank you!