#stud life

The Watermelon Woman (1996, U.S)

An important film in Black queer cinema. As the first feature film directed by a Black lesbian about the Black lesbian experience, this documentary style fiction was a pioneer.

In 2021, it was selected for preservation in the U.S National Film Registry for its cultural and historic significance.

2. Stud Life (2012, UK)

One of the earliest films to center a Black stud lesbian as the protagonist. Its impact was heavier as it is a British film that shined a light for stud visibility and Black queer existence in the UK.

It has since been selected by the British Film Institute as one of the top queer films to watch.

3. Rafiki (2018, Kenya)

The first Kenyan lesbian film which sparked global conversations about queerness, censorship, African queerness and cinema.

It was banned in Kenya for 'promoting lesbianism' however, it was temporarily unbanned so it can qualify for the Academy Awards (even though it didn't win). It did go on to become the first Kenyan film to screen at the Cannes Film Festival and win other awards like: 'Best Film in an African Language, Best Editing' at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, 'Outstanding Film - Limited Release' at the GLAAD Media Awards and the 'Silver Q-Hugo' Chicago International Film Festival.

It was the first African sapphic film to gain global visibility, first Kenyan film to premiere at Cannes, and for that, it will always be historically significant.

4. Pariah (2011, U.S)

A coming-of-age drama following a Black teenager rifling through her sexuality and identity.

It has since won 'Outstanding Independent Motion Picture' at the NAACP Image Awards, the 'Excellence in Cinematography Award' at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, and has been added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry.

5. Under The Christmas Tree (2021, U.S)