Films Directed and Produced by Nadine Patterson & Marlene Patterson

WE ARE FREE BECAUSE OF HARRIET TUBMAN

This project by mother-daughter filmmaking duo Nadine and Marlene Patterson, takes viewers on a journey in the footsteps of one of America’s most courageous abolitionists. Echoes of names once forgotten of people General Tubman guided to freedom, the film combines documentary elements and an original haiku poem by literary luminary and educator Sonia Sanchez. The film is paired with a soundtrack by Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride. 

World Premieres in 2019 at the Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center (formerly the Tull Family Theater) and the Hiway Theater. Screened at the BLACKSTAR Film Festival 2020, Cleveland International Film Festival, Cleveland Urban Film Festival 2021, Lake County Film Festival , Women of African Descent Film Festival.

EDUCATORS TO AFRICA (ETA 50)

Educators to Africa [ETA] is a common interest organization that was formed after a unique six-week study tour to four West African countries in 1972. Our set of mini documentaries highlights the experiences of Philadelphia Public School Educators who have traveled to dozens of African countries and shared their knowledge in classrooms, churches, and community organizations for over 50 years. Extended Play received a grant from Independence Public Media Foundation to work with editor Stephen Schaffer to create this historic archive of the group. Marlene Patterson, an octogenarian filmmaker who is an active member of ETA and her daughter Nadine Patterson are produced the short films with support from Independence Public Media Foundation. World Premiere at the Denton Black Film Festival in 2024.

MOVING WITH THE DREAMING

This documentary explores the cross-cultural collaboration between African Americans and Aboriginal and Islander Australians in the area of modern dance and social activism. Broadcast on public television in Philadelphia PA and Tucson, Arizona. Winner of a Prized Pieces award of the National Black Programming Consortium 1997. Directed by Nadine Patterson. Director of Photography Carlton Jones. Edited by Karen McMullen and Can Candan. Produced by Marlene Patterson.

Anna Russell Jones: Praisesong for a Pioneering Spirit

Meet Mrs. Anna Russell Jones, a textile designer in the1920’s and 30’s, a WAAC during World War II, and a nurse in the 1950’s- a professional career woman ahead of her times. Produced by Marlene G. Patterson. Narrated by Toni Cade Bambara. Music by Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble.

TANGO MACBETH

Shakespeare, dance and world music! It’s a play, within a documentary, within a film.  A theater company rehearses MACBETH. A film crew documents their every move. The drama of the play intertwines with the drama of the making of the film. It’s unlike any version of MACBETH you have ever seen. Screened at the Museum of the Moving Image, the African Diaspora Film Festival Tour, and MARFICI Argentina. Watch on kweliTV! Check out the trailer below:

Collaborations

RELEASE

This film was produced as part of the 151 cohort of students at the London Film School. Husband and wife dance couple separate when she pursues a career overseas. He stays behind to raise their daughter with his mother. Starring Jonathan McDermott (father/Courtland); Kiera-Lorelle Rhomes (daughter/Skye); with Sia Kpakiwa (wife/Mira). Directed and edited by Nadine Patterson. Camera Jean-Philippe Tremblay. Shot on Super 16mm Fuji film.

LoqueeshaAshleyFranklinJoseBrown

Experimental poetry documentary about children growing up in urban America. History intertwines with the present. Locations include The Johnson House in Germantown, which was a stop on the Underground Rail Road; Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell; Washington Square Park a.k.a Congo Square where paupers and soldiers were buried. Poetry by Ursula Rucker. Music by Lenny Seidman. Directed and edited by Nadine Patterson. Part of the LoqueeshaAshleyFranklinJoseBrown trilogy broadcast 2001 on WYBE TV 35 in “Philadelphia Stories”. Shot with the Canon Optura Mini-DV format. You can view the entire 18 minute work at the 2014 CULTURE UNPLUGGED online festival bit.ly/Loqueesha.

The Elkins Estate: A Jewel for Everyone

Client: Food for Life
Directed by John Roberts & Carmella Vassor-Johnson
Produced by Nadine Patterson & Marlene Patterson
Narration by Toni Nash
Dancer- Daniela Galdi of Blind Faith Project
Appearances by: David Dobson, John Gallery, Bill Chambres, Monica Lewis, and Diana Fine Luks
Edited by Sharon Mullally
Camera & Sound: John Roberts, Carmella Vassor-Johnson, Nadine Patterson

GOOD GRIEF

The Covid 1619 Project: GOOD GRIEF is an anthology film of eight works that I executive produced. I designed the project with world poet Ursula Rucker to engage a community of women and non-binary people in creating works about loss and transition during the emotional aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing psychic toll of combating racism, sexism, and displacement in the United States due to the rise of fascism. Funding for the project was provided by The William Penn Foundation and the Independence Public Media Foundation. It was broadcast on PhillyCAM in 2025 and along with Philly CAM received a Hometown Media Award for “Mixed and Transmedia Producer” from the Foundation for the Alliance of Community Media. Produced and directed by members of SIFTMEDIA 215 Collective.

BLACK BALLERINA

BLACK BALLERINA is a whirl wind of a documentary that spans sixty years and six careers of Black Women in the field of Ballet. Originally broadcast on over 200 PBS stations, the film is available to rent or purchase on Amazon. Fran McElroy is the Director/Producer, Meg Sarachan is the Editor/Co-Producer and I worked on the film as Outreach Producer. Dr. Joselli Dean is the project historian and it is based in part on her dissertation. Watch the trailer below: