Nasir Kenneth Ferebee is an NAACP Image Award, GLAAD, and three-time Telly Award winning producer, filmmaker, and writer. He earned a film degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. After graduation, Nasir launched his career in New York City and climbed the ranks from intern to producer at various media companies including BET, Bravo, Lifetime, MTV, The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), and VH1. In 2014, his passion for cinema led him to Hollywood.
Since then, Nasir has amassed dozens of films producing credits, including 90 Days, All Boys Aren’t Blue and Your Love Is King. Ferebee’s Your Love Is King was an official selection in this year’s Outfest Fusion QTBIPOC Film Festival’s one-minute movie category. It follows a Black gay couple as they recover in the wake of their first major disagreement.
Despite having no spoken dialogue, Your Love Is King speaks volumes about the love between two Black men. PrideIndex interviewed Nasir via email. Below he shared the challenges he faced to make this film and more.
PrideIndex (PI): Tell us the back story, inspiration and how Your Love Is King came to be from conception to actualization?
Nasir Kenneth Ferebee (NKF): Ultimately, I wanted to tell a very simple love story in one minute or less. I’ve always wanted to submit to the Outfest Fusion one minute film contest and this year I finally decided to do it. Also, I understand the importance of showcasing Black, gay tenderness, love, and affection and that’s what I wanted the film to represent.
PI: What was the biggest hurdle you faced during the filmmaking process and what did you do to overcome this challenge?
NKF: The biggest hurdle that I faced during the filmmaking process was getting out of my own way. The night before a shoot, I always feel sick and I get the urge to cancel everything, but I always remember that people have invested their time and energy in me, and I can’t let them down.
PI: What would you like for audiences to take away from this film?
NKF: I would like for audiences to recognize that Black gay men are worthy of abundant, healthy love. I would like for the world to recognize our humanity. The intersectionality of the communities that we navigate can be very nuanced so it’s important that the content that I create continues to spread the narrative of us being multidimensional human beings.
PI: Some believe that short films are a piece a cake to produce and therefore do not require a filmmaker to use their due diligence and care. What do you have to say about that?
NKF: Making ANY film is a huge undertaking. It takes time, effort, energy, money, and tenacity. Getting a project completed is a tremendous accomplishment because there are so many roadblocks that occur. Whether it’s a short or a feature, filmmaking is not for the weak.
PI: This film played at Outfest Fusion, where else will it be shown?
NKF: We are still determining other festivals that it will screen, but if everyone stays tuned to my social media, I will share the updates.
PI: What advice would you offer to aspiring filmmakers?
NKF: I would offer aspiring filmmakers to start small and then continue to evolve as a storyteller. It’s okay to take your time, develop your craft, and clock those 10,000 hours that it takes to really become great at your art.
PI: “And the Oscar goes to Nasir Ferebee” will be followed by applause, a standing ovation and the hoopla, sighs and cries. When do you think, this will come to reality?
NKF: I hope it happens in the next ten years. I’m going to go big and claim it. I’m going to win an Oscar in the next ten years.
