Zeinabu irene Davis
Encyclopedia
Zeinabu irene Davis is an African American
filmmaker and professor of the Department of Communication at the University of California, San Diego
. The filmmakers's husband and daughters inspire Davis' films and serve as the driving force for her career. Her films are created to show alternative perspectives from the mainstream and to show a more realistic and attainable media image.
During her undergraduate career, Davis realized her passion for film-making through an internship experience at PBS
in Rhode Island
and her experience overseas. She discovered her love for working in the production process because she is able to control the creation of images.
One of Davis' biggest challenges as an African American woman filmmaker is the high level of difficulty in attaining funding for her films. Investors are apprehensive about funding independent films due to the very competitive nature of such platforms that exist within the film production community. The year she studied abroad doing an internship in Kenya provided her inspiration for a project she hopes to one day create. to co-direct a feature film on the history of the Kenyan people.
Upon graduating high school, Davis was accepted into Brown University, where she started as an International Relations
student. She soon realized the major wasn’t for her and decided to create her own. At the time, the university offered a program in which students had the ability and freedom to create a major of their choice. Zeinabu graduated as a Mass Media Images of Third World Peoples. She continued her education at the University of California, Los Angeles
and received a MFA in Motion Picture/Television Production.
As an undergraduate, Davis spent a year abroad in Kenya. While in Kenya, she worked with Ngugi wa Thiong’o on a play he had written. She worked hands-on building a theater, bleachers and an entire set. The first three opening nights brought in thousands of people. Sadly, on the third night, the set got bulldozed by the Kenyan government and the production lacked funds to continue its operation.
During her time spent in Kenya, Davis observed several filmmakers document Kenya without involving the people of the region. This observation serves as her foundation to hopefully one day truly document the Kenyan population.
in Yellow Springs
, Ohio
in 1989. In 1991, she moved to teach in the Radio-TV-Film Department at Northwestern University
. After teaching several years at Northwestern, Davis moved to San Diego, California
to teach at the University of California, San Diego
. The move was prompted due to her desire to teach a more diverse group of students. She wanted to give back to a community that was similar the one she grew up in.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
filmmaker and professor of the Department of Communication at the University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
. The filmmakers's husband and daughters inspire Davis' films and serve as the driving force for her career. Her films are created to show alternative perspectives from the mainstream and to show a more realistic and attainable media image.
During her undergraduate career, Davis realized her passion for film-making through an internship experience at PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
in Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
and her experience overseas. She discovered her love for working in the production process because she is able to control the creation of images.
One of Davis' biggest challenges as an African American woman filmmaker is the high level of difficulty in attaining funding for her films. Investors are apprehensive about funding independent films due to the very competitive nature of such platforms that exist within the film production community. The year she studied abroad doing an internship in Kenya provided her inspiration for a project she hopes to one day create. to co-direct a feature film on the history of the Kenyan people.
Personal life
Davis was born in Philadelphia to a working class family. With the support of her parents, Davis is the first in her family to complete college. Her parents encouraged her to lean towards law due to her argumentative nature; however, they completely supported whatever endeavors she chose.Upon graduating high school, Davis was accepted into Brown University, where she started as an International Relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
student. She soon realized the major wasn’t for her and decided to create her own. At the time, the university offered a program in which students had the ability and freedom to create a major of their choice. Zeinabu graduated as a Mass Media Images of Third World Peoples. She continued her education at the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
and received a MFA in Motion Picture/Television Production.
As an undergraduate, Davis spent a year abroad in Kenya. While in Kenya, she worked with Ngugi wa Thiong’o on a play he had written. She worked hands-on building a theater, bleachers and an entire set. The first three opening nights brought in thousands of people. Sadly, on the third night, the set got bulldozed by the Kenyan government and the production lacked funds to continue its operation.
During her time spent in Kenya, Davis observed several filmmakers document Kenya without involving the people of the region. This observation serves as her foundation to hopefully one day truly document the Kenyan population.
Education
- 1985-89 MFA, Motion Picture/Television Production University of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, Los AngelesThe University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
- 1983-85 MA, African Studies Major: African Cinema; Minor: Folklore; University of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, Los AngelesThe University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
- 1979-83 BA, Independent Concentration “Mass Media: Images of Third World Peoples”, Brown University
Career
Davis began her career teaching at Antioch CollegeAntioch College
Antioch College is a private, independent liberal arts college in Yellow Springs, Ohio, United States. It was the founder and the flagship institution of the six-campus Antioch University system. Founded in 1852 by the Christian Connection, the college began operating in 1853 with politician and...
in Yellow Springs
Yellow Springs
Yellow Springs or Yellow Spring could refer to:* Yellow Springs, Ohio* Yellow Springs, Pennsylvania* Yellow Spring, West Virginia...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
in 1989. In 1991, she moved to teach in the Radio-TV-Film Department at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
. After teaching several years at Northwestern, Davis moved to San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
to teach at the University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
. The move was prompted due to her desire to teach a more diverse group of students. She wanted to give back to a community that was similar the one she grew up in.
- Professor. Department of Communication, University of California, San Diego. 2000 to present. Associate Professor, 1999-2000. Associate Professor.
- Associate Professor. Department of Radio/Television/Film, Northwestern University. 1996-98. Head of Production, 1997-98.
- Preceptor. Institute for Advanced Study and Research in the African Humanities, Program of African Studies, Northwestern University. 1996-1997.
- Visiting Artist. University of Ghana at Legon-Accra. African Humanities Institute, School of Performing Arts, Winter 1997.
- Assistant Professor. Department of Radio/Television/Film, Northwestern University. 1991-1996.
- Visiting Graduate Advisor. Department of Video, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Fall 1997 and Fall 1995.
- Assistant Professor. Institute of Communications and Media Arts, Antioch College. 1989-91.
- Visiting Artist. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Summer 1988.
Media Appearances
- “These Days: Movie Club on the Air” KPBS radio - Discussion with film critics, Beth Accomondo & Scott Marks on Chris Rock’s documentary, Good Hair– November, 2009.
- ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
Affiliate, Ch. 10 News “Breastfeeding Moms Protest at Delta Airlines” – Reporter Geni Cavitt. November 21, 2006 Segment aired on 5 & 6 pm broadcasts. (Reporter interviews Davis & several moms about the national protest - this news segment appears in video by Davis, Co-Motion) - "The Lounge", KPBS Radio - Roundtable discussion on Blaxploitation Films with critic and programmer, Scott Marks, September 2004.
- Gallaudet University Television, “A Conversation with Zeinabu Davis and Michelle Banks”, February 2, 2001.
- BBC-Worldwide, September 1999 - NY Gordon Parks Award - Compensation
- City-TV, Toronto, September 1999 - Toronto Film Festival - Compensation
- WITU-FM, Public Radio - Toronto, September 1999 - Toronto Film Festival
- “Black Independent Showcase - Interview and Broadcast of Mother of the River”, BET Stars3! Cable Network, March 1998
Selected Articles
- "Migrating to the Movies", Jacqueline Stewart, University of California Press, 2005 (Book chapter on Compensation; photo from Compensation used as book cover)
- "Promises to Keep: Cultural Studies, Democratic Education & Public Life" G. Dimitriadis, Routledge, 2003 (Case study of Compensation)
- "I, Too, Sing Hollywood", Hardy, Ernest. L.A.Weekly. Cover Story, October 19, 2000, Special Issue: Black Cinema Now
- “Compensation speaks in a Visual Language”, Elliot, David. The San Diego Union-Tribune. June 1–7, 2000, Night and Day section, page 4.
- “Compensation Rewards”, Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times. February 24, 2000. Calendar Weekend, n.p.
- “Taking a Chance”, Lyman, Rick. The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
. February 4, 2000. Weekend Movies, Performing Arts, pg. 20. - “The Chicago Connection”, Ebert, Roger. Chicago Sun-Times. January 25, 2000. Showcase section, page 3.
- "The St. James Women Filmmakers Encyclopedia" edited by Amy L. Unterburger, Visible Ink Press, 1999 (biographical entry)
- “Keep your Eyes on this Sparrow: World Premiere Set for Zeinabu Davis’ First Feature Film”, Greggs, LaTicia D. Chicago Defender, Saturday, March 6, 1999, Life/Times section, pgs. 13 &15.
- Women Filmmakers of the African and Asian Diaspora by Gwendolyn Audrey Foster, Southern Illinois University Press, 1997. (Book chapter)
- Film Fatales: Independent Women Filmmakers by Judith M. Redding & Victoria A. Brownsworth, Seal Press, 1997. (Book chapter)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Contribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Filmstatement | Director | |
| 1983 | Recreating Black Women's Media Image | Director | |
| 1986 | Sweet Bird of Youth | Director | |
| 1986 | Crocodile Conspiracy | Director | |
| 1987 | Canta For Our Sisters | Director | |
| 1989 | Cycles | Director | Best Drama: National Black Programming Consortium; Best Experimental Film: Big Muddy Film Festival; Best of Category: Experimental, Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame |
| 1991 | Director | Honorable Mention: ETA Creative Arts Foundation, African American Women & The Arts Festival, Chicago. | |
| 1991 | Director, Producer | Best Narrative, Lawrence Kasdan Award, 30th Ann Arbor Film Festival, Best Experimental Narrative, ETA Creative Arts Foundation, Chicago, Honorable Mention, Best Original Drama, American Film & Video Association, Honorable Mention, Best Feature, Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, Oakland, Honorable Mention, Best Production Design, Atlanta Film and Video Festival, Honorable Mention, Best Experimental Narrative, 23rd Sinking Creek Film & Video Festival |
|
| 1995 | Mother of the River | Director | Best Film and Video, Children’s Jury, 12th Annual Chicago International Children’s Fest Best Short Feature, 6th New England Children’s Film Festival Best of Category Chris Award, 34th Columbus International Film Festival Gold Award, Films for Family & Children Worldfest Charleston Silver Hugo, Chicago International Film and Video Festival |
| 1999 | Compensation Compensation (film) Compensation is award-winning independent film about a young African American couple at the beginning and end of the twentieth century. The film is produced and directed by Zeinabu irene Davis and the screen play was written by Marc Arthur Chéry. It stars Michelle A. Banks and John Earl Jelks in... |
Director, Producer | 2002 Paul Robeson Prize, Best Film, Narrative Section, Newark Museum 28th Annual Black Film Festival Gordon Parks Award, Best Director, 1999 Independent Feature Market, New York City “Outstanding Film” - Reel Black Award, Black Film & Video Network, Toronto Independent Spirit Award Nomination, Best First Feature under $500k, IFP-West |
| 2005 | Las Abuelas - Latina Grandmothers Explain the World and Other Stories of Faith | Co-director, Producer | |
| 2005 | Trumpetistically, Clora Bryant | Director, Producer | |
| 2008 | Delta Children: Future of the Blues | Co-director | |
| 2009 | Passengers | Director, Producer | |
| 2010 | Momentum: A Conversation with Black Women on Achieving Graduate Degrees | Director | |
| 2010 | Co-motion: Tales of Breastfeeding Woman | Director | |
| 2011 | Spirits of Rebellion: Black Film at UCLA | Director | Work-in-progress |