Around here, we think a lot about Black spaces. Spaces where all Black people can feel safe, free and celebrated. Where we can just BE. That’s why, for our first short film, we wanted to present the story of Soul Summit — Fort Greene Park’s legendary house music party.
A summertime staple, Soul Summit didn’t happen this year for the first time since its founding in 2002. But we navigated COVID restrictions through archival footage spanning nearly two decades, in addition to socially-distanced interviews with co-founder Sadiq Bellamy and five longtime attendees. It is our honor to shine a light on this free, open-air dance party that has become an intergenerational, global destination for house heads; a safe haven for Black queer expression; and an enduring, authentic Black space in gentrified Brooklyn.
If you’ve ever been to Soul Summit, then you know. It’s special. There’s nothing quite like it. If you’ve never been, we hope our film makes you want to be part of it. While the party is very much alive, our goal in making this film was to document and preserve an important Black Brooklyn institution — to give it flowers, if you will, while it’s still here. Directed and produced by the creators of Black-Owed Brooklyn, “Soul Summit: Doin’ It in the Park” is a collaboration with a talented production and post-production team who helped bring our vision to life. This came from the heart. We hope you enjoy.
Director - Tayo Giwa
Producers - Tayo Giwa + Cynthia Gordy Giwa
Cinematographer - Christina Wairegi
Camera Operator - Eric Espino
Sound Mixer - Nil Tiberi
Editor - JK Carrington
Colorist - Ayumi Ashley
Junior Colorist - Mark Sanna
Color Producer - Will Mok
Post-Production Audio Mixer/Sound Designer - Ashley Simmons
Post-Production Audio Exec. Producer - Becca Falborn
Post-Production Audio Services - Sound Lounge
