MPT recognizes the importance of local and independent filmmakers and their unique ability to capture truths about the world with artistic integrity, intelligence, and balance. MPT supports these artists and gives viewers access to their voices and viewpoints. These producers' programs provide viewers with a better understanding of the world, an open door to the arts, and actionable information to improve their daily lives.

Welcome, producers! Please scroll to the bottom of this page for special information about submitting your work or program ideas to MPT.

The Almshouse

Sunday, February 9th @ 4:00 PM (MPT-HD premiere)

The poorhouse is a nearly forgotten institution, but in pre-New Deal America there were tens of thousands of these buildings across the country, in every county and major city, often providing the sole social safety net not only for the impoverished but also for injured veterans, orphans, the mentally ill, unwed mothers, and the elderly. This film follows a researcher at a small museum in rural Virginia who explores the history of the property's previous 150-year use as a poorhouse for the area's most needy and vulnerable--and in the process discovers an unmarked cemetery of over 1,000 former residents.

Dangerous Acts

Tuesday, February 11th @ 10:00 PM (MPT2/Create)

Renowned actor and Dean of Howard University's Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts Phylicia Rashad directs students in readings of  one-act plays by African American playwrights, inclufing Mary P. Burrill's "The Deacon's Awakening" and Willis Richardson's "Aftermath."  The program features a series of critical reflections on the enduring legacy of Burrill and Richardson, including the historic and contemporary significance of the plays and the cultural context in which they were composed.

The Golden Year: Howard Women's Basketball

Monday, February 24th @ 9:00 PM; Tuesday, February 25th @ 1:30 AM; Thursday, February 27th @ 10:00 PM (MPT2/Create)

Since 1974, the Howard University women's basketball program has been committed to excellence that extends beyond the court. Facing triumph and challenges, the women's basketball team continues to raise the bar - embodying the spirit of resilience, determination and pride.

The Historic HBCU Photograph

Monday, February 24th @ 9:30 PM; Tuesday, February 25th @ 2:00 AM; Thursday, February 27th @ 10:30 PM (MPT2/Create)

In 2021, the approval of a vaccine by the CDC marked a turning point in the battle against COVID-19, allowing the gradual resumption of social activities. Against this backdrop, alumni from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country gathered for a momentous event on the steps of Morningside Park in Harlem. Inspired by the iconic 1958 photograph "A Great Day in Harlem," they came together for a historic photograph, symbolizing unity, resilience, and the enduring spirit of community.  The gathering not only celebrated the resilience of HBCU alumni but also served as a powerful reminder of their historical role in advancing social justice and equality.

Local, USA: HBCU Week: Beyond the Field

Monday, February 3rd @ 9:00 PM; Tuesday, February 4th @ 1:30 AM; Thursday, February 6th @ 10:00 PM (MPT2/Create)

Offering a unique look beyond sports, HBCU Week: BEYOND THE FIELD highlights the culture, history, and community spirit that define HBCUs.  Experience the CIAA in Maryland, a cornerstone of Black athletics history, and feel the electrifying atmosphere of Louisiana's Bayou Classic - an annual showdown between Grambling State and Southern University.

Walter P. Carter: Champion for Change

Wednesday, February 26th at 10:00 PM (MPT2/Create)

Walter P. Carter, Champion for Change is a documentary on the extraordinary contributions made by one man to the civil rights history of Baltimore. As chairman of C.O.R.E. (Congress of Racial Equality), he led highly organized non-violent demonstrations credited for inspiring an end to segregation in Baltimore in the 1950s and 60s. Award-winning filmmakers Susan  Hadary and John Anglim tell the story of this peaceful leader through chilling flashback footage and poignant interviews with his colleagues and family members.

Anacostia Delta: The Legacy of DC's TeleMasters

Sunday, February 9th at 4:30 PM

"Anacostia Delta" refers to the music style unique to the Washington, D.C. area - a mixture of jazz, blues, country, swing, rock, and bluegrass - that was championed by the late guitarists, Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan.  This documentary looks at the music and influences of Gatton and Buchanan, as well as their enduring influence on musicians, both local and national.  As a centerpiece, the film contains multiple performances from a 2015 tribute concert at the Birchmere Music Hall featuring friends and disciples of the two guitarists who keep the Anacostia Delta tradition alive.

The Gettysburg Story

Monday, February 17th @ 9:00 PM (MPT2/Create)

Over three days in 1863, war-weary Union and Confederate soldiers met at a backwater Pennsylvania crossroads to decide the fate of the nation. Through cutting edge cinematography that reveals the grand scale of the 6,000-acre battlefield,The Gettysburg Story tells the epic tale of the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil and the greatest man-made disaster in American history.  Narrated by actor Stephen Lang, the documentary recounts the pivotal events and intimate stories from the iconic Civil War battle immortalized in Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address."

Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story

Thursday, February 27th at 9:00 PM (MPT2/Create)

A chronicle of the extraordinary life of theologian Howard Thurman, a poet and “mystic” who used religious expression to help ignite social change. The grandson of slaves, Thurman went on to become one of the great spiritual and religious pioneers of the 20th century, whose words and influence continue to echo today. His efforts at the height of World War II to create the nation’s first interfaith, interracial church stands as a precursor for many contemporary faith communities.