This week on The Uptick, the crew—Kamil Rozanski, Sydney Humes, Rachel Williams, Lauren Morris, and Nathan Mutale- brings a fresh lineup of stories that spotlight some seriously cool people doing big things around Philly.
First up: West Philly high schooler and breakout filmmaker Lanaa Dantzler joins the show to talk about her debut short film Five Angry Black Girls, which she made at Black Girls Film Camp down in Charlotte, NC. Lanaa opens up about how the camp helped her grow not just as a filmmaker, but as a storyteller and collaborator. From learning the ins and outs of production to forming tight creative bonds with other young Black women in film, the experience was a game-changer.
And it’s already paying off—Five Angry Black Girls has been officially selected for the Philadelphia Film Festival and the Essence Film Festival. Not bad for a first project! Lanaa talks about what it means to see her work on the big screen and where she hopes to take her film journey next.
The rest of the episode packs just as much punch. Emily Briggs laces up to cover the wild, high-speed world of Philly Roller Derby, where skaters are serving strength, speed, and serious style. Then, Jake Leonard hangs out with Max Wolf, a Temple student juggling college life while running his own textile business. Max breaks down how he got started, how he’s blending creativity with entrepreneurship, and what keeps him motivated.
To wrap it all up, Kevin Gruen takes a look at the recent rise in Bird Flu cases and how local healthcare workers are stepping up to respond. It’s a serious topic, but Kevin keeps it clear and grounded, with insights you’ll actually want to know.
Tune in to TUTV on Monday, June 9, at 12:00 & 8:00 PM or stream it anytime on templetv.net, Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon TV.
