Freestyle Digital Media acquires ‘Being Black Enough’

The Devin Rice-directed film makes its debut in February in theaters and VOD

Jan 26, 2018

(Photo: Being Black Enough/Freestyle Digital Media)

Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios, has acquired the award-winning dramedy Being Black Enough.

The semi-autobiographical project, which is set for a February release, centers around the character, Cody, who struggles with being Black in a predominantly white neighborhood.

The protagonist encounters ridicule and is told that he is not Black enough. This leads him to venture out to the “hood” and spend some time with his gangster cousin so that he can discover what it really means to be Black.

His exploration, however, finds him encountering a world of drugs, gang violence and police confrontation.

Being Black Enough, which is written and directed by Devin Rice, tackles the phenomenon of what it means to be Black and the often stereotypical idea that Blackness is centered around hip-hop culture. The film has already won the audience award at Dances With Films 2017.

This urban coming of age dramatic comedy is Rice’s directorial debut and features an ensemble cast including Devin Rice (‘Cody’), Bruce A. Lemon, Jr. (‘Kyle’), Marcus Ajose (‘Barry’), Matthew – David Smith (‘Deshawn’), Joshua Walker (‘Marcus’), Danielle Jaffey (‘Jennifer’), Jacqueline Rice (‘Serah’), and D.J. Hale as (‘Will’).

“We’re thrilled to have BEING BLACK ENOUGH released by Freestyle Digital Media,” filmmaker Devin Rice said in a press release. “We are excited to share our movie with the world and hopefully changes some lives. If we can help people who are struggling with their identities as I did, I will be very happy.”

Being Black Enough is produced by Jacqueline Rice and Devin Rice. The film will premiere in select theaters before its debut on VOD, and will be available to rent and own on digital HD across cable, internet, and satellite platforms through Freestyle Digital Media on Feb. 20, 2018.

Entertainment Studios is the parent company of theGrio.com. It is a 100-percent African-American owned company with seven networks.