Memphis Film Commission Criticized for Omitting Black Film History

MEMPHIS, TN, October 13, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- In Memphis, Tennessee, in 2026, no other Black-produced feature film has been identified in the city’s film history. This unique position is occupied by "The Contemporary Gladiator," a 1988 film produced by a Black-owned company, directed by a Black filmmaker, and released theatrically. However, according to a press release, the Memphis Shelby County Film Commissioner, Linn Sitler, has been criticized for erasing this significant piece of Black film history. The release states that "The Contemporary Gladiator" is the only Black theatrical film release in Memphis’s film history, whereas Linn Sitler has transformed the Memphis Film Commission into a symbol of white supremacy, racism, and black-on-black racism.

The press release highlights that the Memphis Film Commission, under Sitler’s leadership, has a 100% record of omitting Black film theatrical releases. Since 1988, no other Black-produced film has achieved a theatrical release in Memphis. The release also mentions that the 1988 film "The Contemporary Gladiator" was overshadowed by the 1989 film "Mystery Train," which was backed by a Japanese conglomerate and featured a tokenized "black hero" narrative. This decision, according to the press release, was made to appease administrative compliance requirements.

Gale Jones Carson, a Black woman who serves as the Vice President on the Executive Committee of the NAACP Memphis Branch and the first woman to hold the position of chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party, is also criticized for her role in this erasure. The press release states that Carson, as the Chairman of the Board for the Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission, has not only failed to recognize the groundbreaking work of Anthony "Amp" Elmore but has also contributed to the culture of black accommodationism in Memphis.

Anthony "Amp" Elmore, a filmmaker and the first in Memphis to write, produce, direct, score, and star in a 35mm theatrical film release, has been advocating for recognition of his work. The press release notes that Elmore created over 1,000 YouTube videos, including a 2013 story about becoming a homeowner at 19 and establishing businesses. However, despite his contributions, Elmore's work has not been adequately acknowledged by the Memphis Film Commission.

The release further details that the Memphis Film Commission has a budget of nearly half a million dollars, with Linn Sitler having "carte blanche" over the commission. Despite this, the city has not had a successful movie in two decades. The press release mentions that the Memphis Film Commission received millions of taxpayer dollars for the failed 2019 NBC television drama "Bluff City Law" and a 2023 deal for the NBC television series "Young Rock," which was cut short after a single season, leaving taxpayers with little to show for their investment.

The release concludes by emphasizing the ongoing issue of black accommodationism in Memphis, where marginalized community leaders, institutions, or power brokers choose to cooperate with a dominant, white-led power structure rather than directly confronting or dismantling systemic inequalities. This culture is exemplified by the Memphis Film Commission's failure to recognize and support Black filmmakers and their work, despite the city's significant Black population.