REDEMPTION STORY SNAGS NOMS FOR OUTSTANDING TELEVISION MOVIE AND OUTSTANDING DIRECTING IN A TELEVISION MOVIE, LIMITED-SERIES OR DRAMATIC SPECIAL
BIOPIC EARNS FIRST NAACP IMAGE AWARDS’ NOMINATIONS
FOR BLACK-OWNED, MARYLAND/WASHINGTON D.C. BASED, PRODUCTION COMPANY, MEGAMIND MEDIA
Among the nominees for the 55th NAACP Image Awards announced last week, Vivica A. Fox, in her feature film directorial debut, earned a nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special for, “The First Lady Of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story.” The biopic also received a nomination for Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special, totaling two nominations for the Black-owed, DMV based, production company, MegaMind Media.
Executive produced by Tressa Azarel Smallwood, Donte “Don” Lee, Judge Greg Mathis, and Delece James for MegaMind Media, and Lorisa Bates, Marvin Neil, and Devin Griffin for BET+, “First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story” charts Welch’s rise from abused teen mom to trap queen to being labeled by federal prosecutors as BMF’s “First Lady” for her craftiness, class, and guile.
Variety 1.25.24 [excerpt]“Swarm” leads the TV movie, limited series or dramatic special contenders with 5 nods, including for star Dominique Fishback and co-creators Janine Nabers and Donald Glover. Also nominated in the category are “Heist 88” (3 nominations); “First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story” (2 nominations); “Black Girl Missing”; and “Lawmen: Bass Reeves.” Other top small screen programs include “Godfather of Harlem” (5 nominations) and “The Perfect Find” (3 nominations). Read Full Story
Written by Gabrielle Collins and Smallwood, the film tells a harrowing story about riches, remorse, personal responsibility, and redemption set amidst the lavishness and extreme violence of Detroit’s crack era during America’s War on Drugs. The film stars Michelle Mitchenor (“First Wives Club”) and Tobias Truvillion (“City On A Hill”); acclaimed actor Leon (“City On A Hill”), Kellie Williams (A Family Matters Christmas), and comedian Jessica “Jess Hilarious” Moore (Hip Hop Family Christmas) play key roles. Rounding out the dynamic cast is Daphnique Springs (The Matchmaker), with Tristan Fazekas (Power & Money) and Faith Malonte (Power & Money) portraying the Flenory brothers–co-founders of BMF–Meech and Southwest T (respectively).
“The First Lady Of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story” is produced by Kristin Iris Johnson, Andrea Topps Harjo, and Charles Jones, with costume design by Tamara Hush Lee; production design by Leslie Allen; art direction by Kinae Kelly; music by Teddy Alexander Bishop; hair and makeup by Letitia Thornhill and Keisha George.
“First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story” also earned the first–two–NAACP Image Awards nominations for the full-service production company MegaMind Media. Shot on location in the nation’s capital, the film received a tax-rebate from the District of Columbia Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment.
“The First Lady Of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story” is currently streaming on BET+.
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