Vertical Entertainment Picks Up Oscar Winner Kevin Willmott’s The 24th Starring Trai Byers, Bashir Salahuddin & Aja Naomi King

Vertical Entertainment has acquired the North American distribution rights to Oscar®-winner Kevin Willmott’s The 24th starring Trai Byers (Empire, Selma), Bashir Salahuddin (Sherman’s Showcase, GLOW), and Aja Naomi King (How to get Away with Murder). Also cast in the film are Mo McRae (Big Little Lies), Tosin Morohunfola (The Chi), Mykelti Williamson (Fences) and Thomas Haden Church. The film is produced, co-written, directed by Kevin Willmott (co-writer of The BlacKkKlansman and Da 5 Bloods).     The film is produced by Jordan Fudge, Alexandra Milchan, Kevin Willmott and Trai Byers. The film was an Official Selection of the 2020 SXSW Film Festival.

The story is based on the Houston riot of 1917 during the Great War in which 156 soldiers of the Third Battalion of the all-black Twenty-fourth United States Infantry Regiment rioted after disagreements with the Houston Police Department. It took place over a single night and resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and 16 civilians. The rioting soldiers were tried at three courts-martial for mutiny. Nineteen were executed, and 41 were sentenced to life imprisonment. The film will release on VOD/Digital on August 21st, timed to the anniversary of the Houston Riot of 1917.

“I'm excited THE 24TH has found a great home with Vertical Entertainment,” said Kevin Willmott. “I look forward to the film reaching audiences and I hope the film can help us all understand our history and the current reality a little better.”

“THE 24TH is an incredibly timely film, and unfortunately the themes of racial injustice and police brutality from 1917 mirror the times we are in now. We are grateful for our cable and digital partners for their quick support and our dedicated staff who is working tirelessly to bring this impactful film to audiences next month,” said Rich Goldberg, co-president of Vertical Entertainment. “It is so important that we get this powerful film out now, timed with the Houston Riots, to tell that story and continue to amplify Black voices.”

THE 24TH was directed by Kevin Willmott; written by Willmott and Trai Byers; produced by Willmott, Byers, Alexandra Milchan and Jordan Fudge. The film was fully financed by New Slate Ventures who produced alongside EMJAG.