Today, October 30th 2019, legendary African-American actor and stand-up comic John Witherspoon tragically died aged 77. To mark the end of Black History Month, Epigram Film & TV look back at his iconic life and career

‘I hope people listen to black people more. You’d be surprised how little people listen to black people when it comes to racial issues.’

Only six black directors have ever been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director. Considering whether or not any of them should have won is, to be frank, outside of the purview of this article - but each film has a place in the history of black cinema

Will Smith has been a household name for nearly 20 years. Characterised by his PG, goofy humour, and musical abilities, his fame has only grown exponentially over the years. He serves as an example of the ability for black stars to navigate genres and mediums with continued success

Jordan Peele's use of cinema as a form of social commentary has earned him a place amongst some of the most influential filmmakers of recent years. So - what is it that Peele has, which others lack?

As part of our Black History Month coverage, we are taking a look at the Oscars controversies and contributions to black filmmakers' recognition