New Jersey Filmmakers Showcase: Operation: Is Jersey the New Hollywood?, Talks With Myself, Atelier

Join us for an evening celebrating New Jersey filmmakers, storytellers, and creative entrepreneurs through a special shorts program featuring Operation: Is Jersey the New Hollywood?, the debut of Talks With Myself Season 6, Episode 6, and Atelier: The Story of Brownmill Company.

OPERATION: Is Jersey the New Hollywood? explores New Jersey’s booming film industry and what its growth means for the people who live and work here. Directed and produced by Brandon Tyler, the documentary comes from Newark-based creative collective WTH?, which has grown from a short film into the WTH? Music & Film Festival, now celebrating its third year.

The program also features Talks with Myself, a Black queer dramedy about Morris, a man confronting the lies, choices, and relationships that have shaped his life. Told through raw livestream confessionals, this series short offers a deeply human portrait of Black queer life in New Jersey. Now in its sixth season, Talks With Myself is written, directed, and produced by black queer artists, continuing its acclaimed exploration of identity, love, community, and self-discovery.

Also screening is Atelier: The Story of Brownmill Company, a documentary short about Justis Pitt, Kwaku Agyemang, and Taha Shimou, the three men behind Newark-born fashion brand BrownMill Company. Through archival footage, mixed-media animation, and verité-style storytelling, the film highlights Black entrepreneurship, legacy, representation, cultural preservation, and collective creativity.

Following the screenings, attendees are invited to stay for a talkback will with Damon Williams and Brandon Tyler, co-founders of WTHGlobal production company; Roger Omeus Jr., director and writer of Talks with Myself; Erby Beauvil, producer of Talks with Myself; Anya Dillard, director of Atelier: The Story of Brownmill Company; and Justis Pitt-Goodman, owner of BrownMill Company.

Please note: Auditorium seating is available on a first come first serve basis for the film screening. An overflow space will be provided once we are at capacity.