Here's to a Year that Started in a Sphere

2025 was an action-packed year. I feel like I’ve lived three lifetimes. Each of them came with their own unique trials and triumphs. The biggest takeaway is that I went from trial to triumph in every situation. It took 11-or-so months, but I’m here. This piece will only focus on the positive. That’s my attitude going into 2026.

The year started with a BANG at the Sphere in Las Vegas. It’s the world’s largest, most technologically advanced canvas. The 160,000 sq. ft. interior display pane features visual art from all genres that wraps up, over and around the audience to create a fully immersive visual environment. Musicians also perform there to take advantage of the crazy visual setup. The Backstreet Boys are playing there tonight. The Wizard of Oz is also playing there over the next few months.

I was there a year ago today to see Anyma, an EDM artist known globally for the incredible visuals displayed at all of his shows. It was the first concert of its kind at the Sphere. I couldn’t miss it, and I’m glad that I went. This isn’t an ad for the Sphere, but you definitely have to see it in person to experience how awesome it is.

It was a pretty cool way to bring in the New Year. Little did I know that 2025 would be filled with excitement. Two of my favorite experiences happened in Detroit. The Motor City was a mainstay on my bucket list. I had always been drawn to it. Thanks to the efforts of Phoebe Wall Howard and the success of my film The Negro Artist, I was able to visit twice.

The first time was in January. Phoebe Wall Howard organized four screenings, two in Port Huron and two in Detroit. I traveled there with Douglas Burns. The amount of snow and ice on the drive was insane.

One of the screenings in Detroit took place at the Detroit School of Arts . We showed the film in front of some 200 students. It was very inspiring.

I returned in September to attend the Detroit Black Film Festival. Due to unrelated circumstances, I was feeling pretty down going into the festival. The Negro Artist was nominated in the feature documentary category. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but I was blown away from the moment I arrived.

The film selection was incredible. Hundreds of amazing films from around the world played during the 3-day festival. I met so many young, talented filmmakers across every genre. I saw one of my favorite films of the year, Meta Take One, at the festival.

Film co-creator John Dierre told me that they hope to put the film on Tubi or another streaming platform soon. It is pure cinematic genius, so be on the lookout.

Though we didn’t win best feature doc, we received the Outstanding Independent Film Award from the festival. We were among only a handful of films to be awarded. I saw most of the other films, including Meta Take One, and the fact that we were recognized among so many incredible films was mind blowing. It really shifted my perspective.

I recently interviewed Oscar-nominated actress Margaret Avery for a project that I’m working on. She said that it was important to be recognized by your community. She said that it came with a different sort of pride and reassurance (I’m paraphrasing). Upon receiving my award, I knew exactly what she was talking about.

Going through my photos, I’m seeing too many great memories to write about. I’m going to fire a few more memories off in a list:

• Susan Beckman and David Beckman sponsored an incredible screening of The Negro Artist in Burlington, Iowa.

• We screened the film at the Knoxville Public Library with the star Robert Leonard. Knoxville is home turf for Dr. Bob.

• Douglas Burns and I spent a few days in Northern California at the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival. The Negro Artist screened at the Oscar-qualifying festival in March.

• I reconnected with my aunt Kathy Heftman and my family in San Francisco. It’s been a blast!

  Happy New Year! Wishing you all a successful 2026.

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