In a cinematic offering that feels both spectral and deeply rooted in heritage, American Clay, a hauntingly beautiful short film from Hundreds Entertainment and Saddlebrook Media, will debut in Edgartown during the prestigious Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF). Set in 1937, the film blends ancestral magic, suspense, and cultural memory, delivering a story that is as gripping as it is spiritually resonant.
At the heart of American Clay is Bernice, a mixed-race, 18-year-old girl with second sight who uncovers a dark family secret. Her journey to expose the truth takes a perilous turn in a dangerous sundown town, where two lawmen hunt her down to keep the secret buried. Drawing power from her ancestors and her gift of intuition, Bernice must rely on instinct and inherited strength to fight for her life.
Director Chris Jackson describes the film as “a meditation on identity, grief, and the quiet volatility passed down through generations.” Inspired by true events, Jackson’s visual language—marked by constant motion—mirrors the characters’ internal unrest and unrelenting flight. “It’s a story about reckoning, with history, with loss, and with what we choose to carry forward,” he adds.
Executive producer, co-writer, and music director Vi City infused American Clay with an ethereal soundscape that complements its rich visuals. “This story felt mystical and spiritually aligned from the moment I heard it,” says Vi City. “We wanted this film to be more than just a period piece—it’s truth-telling through art, rooted in history but energized by spirit.”
Saddlebrook Media’s own lineage inspired the film, blending oral tradition and research to reclaim ownership of American storytelling. Co-creators and executive producers Carmen Perkins and Michelle Taylor describe it as “a love letter to the women who came before us and the ones still finding their voice…a spiritual echo and a cultural reclamation.”
Shot across Los Angeles in a matter of days, American Clay is a labor of love shaped through months of meticulous writing, editing, and sonic design. Its soundtrack features original songs by Vi City, with collaborations from Gabrielle Carreiro (formerly of June’s Diary), Vega Heartbreak, Mike Jay, violinist Alan of Black Violin, and Grammy-winning engineer Jaycen Joshua.
As a cinematic experience, American Clay doesn’t center trauma but instead amplifies resilience, ancestral wisdom, and the mystical power embedded in Black and multicultural identity.
Premiere Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
🕥 Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Location: Edgartown Cinemas 2, 65 Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539
🎟 RSVP: americanclaymovie.com/showtimes
For more on American Clay, visit americanclaymovie.com or follow @americanclaymovie on social media.
Michelle M. Mitchell is the Publisher of OMG Culture Magazine, a global multicultural online news publication. With a passion for storytelling and a keen editorial vision, she leads the magazine’s coverage of culture, society, and luxury lifestyle. As a contributor, Michelle brings her expertise in high-profile events, entertainment, and community features, offering readers a distinctive and engaging perspective.
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