Filmmaker Nasir Kenneth Ferebee Infuses Black Queer Love Stories With "Tenderness and Simplicity"

Nasir Kenneth Ferebee is not just another name in the world of film production; he's a force to be reckoned with.

Growing up, Ferebee was drawn to the world of film and television, thanks to the influence of his family and the wide range of content he consumed. "I was a kid that was really heavy into TV," he recalls. "My grandmother, my mother, my aunt, and I, we would watch TV together, so we would watch everything.” His early exposure to diverse programming, from classics like "Saved by the Bell" and “Adventures in Babysitting,” to gritty films like Boyz n the Hood, ignited a passion for storytelling that would shape his future.

As a young adult, Ferebee found himself at a crossroads, unsure of his path forward. It wasn't until he volunteered on a short student film in community college that he experienced a moment of clarity.

"I just got it," he reflects. "Like, it just clicked. I felt like I belonged. I knew what I was doing felt very natural — it was a lightbulb moment." This revelation set him on a trajectory towards pursuing a career in film and media arts.

Ferebee's journey took a significant leap forward when he transferred to Temple University to study film and media arts. There, he honed his skills and gained valuable experience through internships, including stints at MTV and the Philadelphia Film Office. These early opportunities provided him with the foundation he needed to thrive in the industry and ultimately identify his lane.

After graduating from Temple, Ferebee wasted no time diving headfirst into the industry, securing the role of “PA at VH1 on April 30th, 2007," where he gained invaluable hands-on experience and industry connections.

Over the years, Ferebee's hard work and dedication paid off, earning him accolades like his recent Emmy nomination for a PSA entitled "They Think The Know You.” But for Ferebee, success is not just about personal achievements; it's about telling stories that matter. His latest project, Your Love Is King is an exemplification of this ethos. The short film, a Black queer love story devoid of dialogue, aims to showcase the tender complexities of love and relationships.

"I felt like we didn't really see any Black queer love stories where sex was taken out of it," Ferebee explains. "I wanted it to have a level of tenderness and simplicity." He adds, “So it's about a couple who's been together for a year, and they just had their first big major disagreement. And, now they're both trying to figure out how to reconcile.

“One of the partners comes to the door with flowers, they work through it, and the door closes. It's very beautiful and simple.” According to Freebee, the project was originally created for the one-minute Outfest Fusion Festival. However, he ended up with surplus footage and thought, "Hey, I believe I can expand this further." Consequently, he extended it to three minutes in length.

Overall, with Your Love Is King, Ferebee hopes to challenge traditional narratives and shine a spotlight on underrepresented voices in the industry. “I'd say the goal is that love is love. Love can be tender. Love also takes work. It takes effort. It takes vulnerability. It takes, you know, letting your guard down and allowing someone to see you and being transparent. And, like any relationship, it requires you to keep showing up.”

When asked about his advice for aspiring filmmakers, Ferebee emphasizes the importance of faith, hard work, and strategic planning. "You really have to be relentless in this industry," he advises. "Approach things with strategy and intention."

“You have to really have unshakable faith. You have to almost be delusional. You have to be delusional to be like, ‘I'm going to go to LA and I'm only going to know — in my case — I'm only going to know two people, and I'm going to figure this out. And I'm going to break into the industry, and I'm going to hustle hard to figure this out.’”

“You have to have a lot of faith and tenacity to do that,” he exclaims. So, have faith, do the work, get your turn, be patient, have strategy and intention, and execute.”

Looking ahead, Ferebee shows no signs of slowing down. With multiple projects in the pipeline (he typically has ten projects in motion at a time), including a narrative short film and a feature documentary, he's poised to make an even bigger impact in the years to come. "This next chapter is definitely like chapter three of my career," he reflects. Prepare to get sick of me."

Indeed, with Nasir Kenneth Ferebee at the helm, the future of filmmaking looks brighter than ever. From his humble beginnings as a kid with a passion for storytelling to his current status as a rising star in the industry, Ferebee's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and unwavering faith.