Morris Chestnut and Dave Brown share their ultimate movie soundtrack with Detour
Film executive Dave Brown began the Indie Night Film Festival in 2012 with hopes to give indie filmmakers, directors, producers and other creatives the blueprint for success in Hollywood.
The weekly event has included short films, web series, trailers, documentaries, monologues and full feature films, allowing some of the next big stars to elevate their craft and cultivate a supportive community.
Brown is a native of San Francisco, California and was raised with the influence of helping others. His father is the respected Civil Rights activist, and pastor, Dr. Amos C. Brown.
Brown’s love of film was fueled during his years as a student at the historic Morehouse College.
Throughout the years, Brown saw the opportunity for him to reach back and help indie creators navigate “Tinseltown.”
The Indie Night Film Festival put creators in the right room with the right people.
“There’s this guy named Juel Taylor, he brought his short film to me and I saw it. I thought it was incredible, so I brought all of my producer partners in on it. They saw him and his film, and were excited about it. We took him to CAA and got him signed. He ended up writing Creed II and another person who participated in the Indie Night Film Festival directed it as well. Taylor went on to also write Space Jam 2 and then directed “They Cloned Tyrone starring Jamie Foxx.” Brown said during his interview with Detour.
His work as an actor and industry insider granted him several opportunities including meeting other actors that he would form lifelong friendships and partnerships with.
One of them being beloved leading man, Morris Chestnut. At the time the two Hollywood newcomers met at a celebrity basketball game and sparked a friendship that would catapult them throughout their careers.
Chestnut has joined the ranks of Brown’s thespian friends that champion his work for indie creatives.
The award-winning actor hosted the Atlanta edition of the film festival, kicking off the platform’s tour to select cities.
Brown is looking to grow the festival into the “American Idol” for the film industry, opening the platform up to a national audience of creators of any kind.
The Atlanta event took place at the iconic Plaza Theatre. The sold-out crowd included actor Clifton Powell (Ray, Menace 2 Society, Selma Lord Selma), actor A’zaria Carter (P-Valley), actor Jill Marie Jones (Girlfriends), actor and producer Terri J. Vaughn, actor Karon Joseph Riley (Saints & Sinners), actor Tre Rogers (BMF), actor Mike Merrill (Finding Happy) and more.
While the films were the focal point of the evening, Detour asked “Hollywood’s best friend” and “Hollywood’s favorite leading man” what their ultimate movie soundtrack would be.
Check out their suggestions below.
*Dave’s Pick
**Morris’s Pick
Poison - Bell Biv DeVoe *
Can You Stand The Rain- New Edition *
I Like - Guy *
Dear Mama- Tupac *
A House Is Not A Home- - Luther Vandross *
No One In The World - Anita Baker **
Spread My Wings - Troop **
Walked Outta Heaven - Jagged Edge **
Exchange - Bryson Tiller **
Feenin - Jodeci **
For more information on the Indie Night Film Festival visit https://indienightfilmfestival.com/.
Martie Bowser is a journalist and public relations professional in Charlotte, NC. She enjoys amplifying the voices of POC and women that fill a void within their community. Her favorite things to cover include “person of interest” pieces, small business highlights, pop culture commentary, entertainment features, and everything about Beyoncé. Her bylines can be found in Blavity, Black Excellence, Signature Bride, Black Wall Street Times, and HipHop Weekly. Martie can be reached via email at martiebowser@detourxp.com.
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This story was originally published June 27, 2023 at 7:16 PM.