By Sunday 
Kahlil Joseph’s Film Withdrawn Amid Legal Dispute
Kahlil Joseph’s much-anticipated film, BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions, has been pulled from the Sundance Film Festival by its financier, Participant Media. The decision, confirmed just days before the festival’s start, has left audiences and organizers disappointed.
The film, directed by Joseph, acclaimed for his work on Beyoncé’s Lemonade, was set to premiere in the festival’s Next section. A Sundance representative expressed the festival’s dismay in a statement:
“We are deeply disappointed to have been informed this on Tuesday evening, January 21, by Participant Media that they have pulled BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions from the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. We were looking forward to premiering the film for our audiences and will be in touch with all customers who purchased tickets.”
The Legal Dispute Behind the Decision
Reports suggest the withdrawal stems from a legal conflict between Participant Media and Joseph. Allegedly, the filmmaker created a second version of the film and submitted it to other festivals, including Berlin, without the financier’s approval. Both Participant Media and Joseph’s representatives have been contacted for their official statements, though responses are still pending.
The film’s logline hints at a groundbreaking narrative, stating:
“Preeminent West African curator and scholar Funmilayo Akechukwu’s magnum opus, The Resonance Field, leads her to the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, drawing a journalist into a journey that shatters her understanding of consciousness and time.”
A Complicated Legacy for Participant Media
The situation is further complicated by the closure of Participant Media last year. The socially conscious production company, known for supporting innovative and impactful films, ceased operations after 20 years, laying off nearly its entire staff. At the time, BLKNWS was among the company’s unfinished projects, previously associated with A24. However, reports indicate that A24 is no longer involved with the film, which blurs the lines between journalism and art.
Production Team and Festival Fallout
The experimental film is produced by Onye Anyanwu, Amy Greenleaf, and Nic Gonda, with Joseph taking on the roles of director, writer, and producer. Acclaimed writers Saidiya Hartman and Irvin Hunt are also credited for their contributions.
With the Sundance Film Festival set to run from January 23 to February 2, 2025, the withdrawal of BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions leaves a significant gap in its lineup. The festival, celebrated for spotlighting bold and innovative works, had eagerly anticipated the film’s world premiere.
As the dust settles on this unexpected development, the broader implications for both the filmmakers and Participant Media remain uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the controversy surrounding BLKNWS has only heightened interest in its eventual release.