By Matt Ryan Allen | StarBuzz Daily
With growing concerns that the Trump administration could attempt to roll back Juneteenth as a federal holiday, it’s more important than ever to solidify its place in American culture.
One way to do that? Making sure there’s a definitive Juneteenth movie that families, communities, and schools turn to every year—just like A Christmas Story on Christmas or Independence Day on the Fourth of July. And right now, Block Party is perfectly positioned to be that movie.
Which Platform Will Lead the Way?
The question isn’t if Juneteenth will have its go-to holiday movie—it’s who will claim it first. Will it be Amazon Prime? Apple TV+? Netflix? Or will it stay and grow on Paramount and BET, its original platforms? There are so many potential winners for this new holiday weekend.
This moment is not unlike when A Christmas Story became the de-facto Christmas classic on TBS and TNT back in the day—eventually becoming ubiquitous with Christmas itself. Now, it’s time for a streaming platform to step up and do the same for Juneteenth.
Why Block Party?
Block Party was the first wide-release Juneteenth comedy—a feel-good film about family, tradition, and Black excellence. And now, Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” herself, is backing it. We at Branch Out Productions are officially partnering with Opal Lee’s National Juneteenth Museum to make sure the holiday’s legacy remains strong.
As part of this effort, we’re making Block Party available for public screenings on Juneteenth weekend in exchange for a donation to the National Juneteenth Museum.
But why stop there? The platform that secures Block Party as an annual event will set a new precedent for celebrating Juneteenth.
A Streaming Platform’s Golden Opportunity
The right streaming giant can turn Block Party into an annual Juneteenth tradition. Imagine a world where every Juneteenth, millions of families can stream a film that celebrates Black joy, entrepreneurship, and community.
Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon, and Paramount all have an incredible track record of promoting diverse voices and shaping cultural conversations. The platform that embraces Juneteenth first will be leading the charge in ensuring the holiday’s visibility and importance.
A Movement, Not Just a Movie
Let’s be real: The political climate is shifting, and we’ve already seen attacks on DEI programs and attempts to erase Black history from schools. If Juneteenth is ever challenged as a federal holiday, we need more than just protests—we need permanent cultural touchstones that no politician can take away.
That’s why Block Party isn’t just a movie; it’s a movement. And we’re making sure it’s accessible to communities across the country this Juneteenth.
Join the Movement
To host a public screening of Block Party this Juneteenth, here’s how it works:
- Donate at least $100 to Opal Lee’s National Juneteenth Museum via their official donation page.
- Send proof of your donation to producer Matt Allen at screenwritermattallen@gmail.com.
- Receive exclusive access to the film for your community screening.
If you believe Block Party deserves to be the go-to Juneteenth movie, share this article and tag @Netflix, @PrimeVideo, @AppleTV, @ParamountPlus, @BET, and anyone else who can help make this a reality.
Let’s make sure history isn’t erased. Let’s make sure Juneteenth stays celebrated. Let’s make Block Party the movie that brings us all together every year.