“The Rebel Girls” has done the hard work to snag a possible short list consideration for Best Short Narrative Film at the 97th Academy Awards, which will take place on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The film is actively striving to be shortlisted with the official Oscar shortlist to be announced on December 17.
“The Rebel Girls” has won at several major, Oscar-qualifying festivals: Best Episodic at the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival in March 2024, Best Short Film at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival in August 2024, and Best Short Film and Best of the Festival at the BronzeLens Film Festival in September 2024. These wins are at recognized Oscar-qualifying festivals.
Directed, written, and produced by Felicia D. Henderson, “The Rebel Girls” tells the true, powerful story of a group of young African American girls who, in 1963 Americus, Georgia, were unjustly imprisoned after a protest to desegregate a local movie theater. Held captive for nearly 60 days in a Civil War-era stockade, the girls were subjected to abuse and neglect but survived through their bond of sisterhood and their ability to escape into a world of imagination.
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The film blends historical drama with magical realism, offering an inspiring narrative about survival, resilience, and the power of the human spirit.
Felicia D. Henderson, known for her work on the groundbreaking television series “Soul Food,” “Empire,” and “The Punisher,” brings her unique voice and perspective to “The Rebel Girls”, giving a voice to a long-overlooked chapter of American history. With her extensive career in television and film, Henderson has been a trailblazer in the industry, earning the title of “The Godmother of Black TV Drama” for her contributions to the representation of African American stories. Henderson’s work continues to influence the entertainment industry, and “The Rebel Girls” is a reflection of her commitment to telling powerful, transformative stories.
“The Rebel Girls” stars Nika King (“Euphoria”), Kyanna Simone (“Winning Time”), Honey Robinson (“The Rookie”), and Nia Sondaya (“Yellowjackets”).
Here is what director, screenwriter and producer Felicia D. Henderson had to share about why she made “The Rebel Girls.”
Los Angeles Sentinel: What led you to discover the story of the girls from Americus, and how did you go about finding the survivors to bring their story to life?
Felicia D. Henderson: About four years ago, a friend saw a Twitter post honoring the anniversary of the girls from Americus being released from illegal captivity at the Leesburg Stockade. She sent it to me and suggested it was a story worth my investigation. I read it and became obsessed. I sent my entire office on the hunt to find the survivors. We were able to track down four of the seven women who are still with us. I visited Americus (in Southern Georgia) and knew I had to tell this story. I connected with Lulu Westbrook Griffin and Carol Barner Seay on a deep, spiritual level, and they agreed to allow me to license their life rights.
LAS: What made telling the story of ‘The Rebel Girls’ so personally significant to you, and why did you feel it was essential to bring their story to the screen?
FDH: I’ve gotten to a point in my career where I only want to tell stories that elevate women in some way. I gravitate to period pieces, which is why this story resonated with me. Rarely has a story moved me so. It’s Black girls as superheroes – powerful and unapologetic. Once I met the survivors, I became obsessed with telling their story, because what they did then is why I’m here now. It may sound crazy, but I was in constant communication with the spirits of all the girls. I printed out a big copy of a photo of them behind those bars and taped it on the wall over my desk. I would talk to them, ask if they were happy with what I was writing. The bottom line is these girls/women trusted me. I will do everything I can to be worthy of the total trust they put in me.
LAS: What do you hope the film will achieve, both in terms of its impact on audiences and the broader conversation surrounding its themes?
FDH: Ms. Lulu [ Lulu Westbrook-Griffin] told me she hoped she could see their story told before she leaves this earth. I want that for her. I want girls to feel strong when they see it. I want families to feel stronger. I want the world to see what I see. I want the audience to want for the girls what they want for themselves. I want the audience to take a little of the girls’ strength home with them and know they can do anything they put their minds to.
To be eligible for the Academy Awards, films must win a qualifying award at a competitive film festival between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.
https://therebelgirlsfilm.com/the-story/
