Black Web Series And Indie Movies That Took The Internet By Storm in 2013

It was another year for great Black web series and indie movies.

Black creatives are taken advantage of the web

Black filmmakers, directors, writers, and actors have capitalized on the internet, no longer waiting for Hollywood to give them a chance, and taking the world into their own hands.

Last year, we debuted our list of top Black web series to watch. The list garnered thousand of hits, bringing new light to the rise of great content online by people of color.

As the year ends, we complied of a list (in no particular order) of web series and indie movies by people of color and different walks of life, that dominated the internet clouds. We’ve also included series that are on our radar for next year.

Check out the list of Black Web Series

1. Black Actress

Black Actress, a new web series executive produced by Issa Rae, aims to show black women as more than just stereotypes. Starring and created by actress Andrea Lewis, the series tells the story of what black actresses go through. Each episode features a cameo from a black actress such as Tatyana Ali, Regan Gomez, Naturi Naughton, Essence Atkins, and Jenifer Lewis.

The series, more comedic than dramatic, circles around Kori Baily, played by Lewis, as she struggles with landing her big break.

You might recognize Lewis from her role as “Hazel” on the hit show “Degrassi: The Next Generation.”, and she does a phenomenal job in Black Actress.

2. Hello Cupid

The teaser for this web series will have you reeled in as it starts with the conversation on colorism and online dating. Whitney and Robyn are best friends and they embark on a dating experiment that turns interesting. Created by Lena Waithe and Ashely Blaine Featherson and featuring Ashley and Hayley Marie Norman, this series shows that things and circumstances are still very current.

3. Finding Me (Series)

Finding Me (Series) is the spin off of the movie Finding Me Truth by Roger Omerus Jr. Set in Jersey City, NJ, the series continues from the movie as Faybien and friends continue to navigate through and experience life. Finding Me Series is already in production for Season 2. I was able to catch the series before it was taken offline. But there are mini episodes uploaded to give you tease on possibly one of the greatest web series in 2013 featuring an LGBT story.

4. If I Was Your Girl (Black Web Series)

Warning: NSFW

This content is not for children! For mature adults! Please watch at your discretion.

Fierce, sexy, and intense is what I call this series that is a spin-off from the hit movie (same title). Chicago filmmaker Coquie Hughes out did herself with this intense lesbian drama that continues on about the tumultuous journey between Stacia, Toi, Lynn and Rhonda.

Watch The Series on YouTube

5. That Guy (Season 2)

You know that guy who’s an adult by definition but not really in reality? Well Mike is THAT GUY and his roommate isn’t much better.Two friends rooming together, living life, women, and the challenges around it. Oh, and did I mention their crazy & funny bff female friend Deon?

Created and Directed By: Jeanine Daniels
Starring: Will Cadet & Jeremy McBryde

6. How Men Become Dogs

After the success of the Mis-Adventures of the Awkward Black Girl, Issa Rae continues to bring great content on her channel. This year, amongst others, she presented a series entitled ‘How Men Become Dogs‘. After three good men have disastrous breakups with their unappreciative girlfriends, they decide to become womanizers by enrolling in a class that teaches them how to become the “dog” women can’t seem to resist.

7. Between Women (Season 2)

The award-winning series took the internet by storm two years ago with its intense and drama-filled plot about friends living in Atlanta.

Season 1 ended with a bang, and the creator knew it was only right to start off the next season with a bigger bang.

Season 2 continues on about Miller, and the not so pleasant surprise from someone in her past that takes her on a rollercoaster.

8. RoomieLoverFriends (Season 2)

Black & Sexy TV outdid themselves this year by continuing to bring great content online by people of color. Hello Cupid, That Guy, The Couple, and RoomieLoverFriends. Yes, the title .. What happens when you sleep with your roommate? Well this series pretty much sums it up. Season 2 makes the list this year for production, writing, and creativity that will have you watching more.

Created by Dennis Dortch, Numa1 Perrier. With Shayla Hale, Andra Fuller, Yaani King, Austen Jaye.

9. Jenifer Lewis & Shangela

One of my favorite actresses surprised her fans with this comedy series that will literally have you rolling out of your seat. “Jenifer Lewis and Shangela” is a scripted series that follows the comic adventures of Ms. Lewis and Shangela (actor D.J. Pierce best known from Ru Paul’s Drag Race) as the show biz mega-diva mentors the up-and-coming drag performer.

And that theme song? Yeah, that’s a catchy tune. Catch on the episodes above.

10. Almost 30

You’re almost 30 and you’re having one of those crisis. Not a “mid-life” crisis, but I’m pushing 30 and where is my life going crisis. “Almost 30” is a comedic series “about the angst of coming into your 30′s & being on full struggle mode & not being where you wanna be yet”. It stars Michael Moss and Ricky Smith and is written and directed by Matthew Cherry.

11. Lenox Avenue

Warning: NSFW

Several years in the making the series by Al Thompson finally made it’s debut this year. Lenox Avenue is a sexy drama about three friends living in Harlem, navigating through love and relationships. You’ll see a lot of familiar faces in this one.

12. Sunny Reign

A series that has a different twist than most of the series that came out this year : action. Created by Tramaine Renee, “Sunny Reign” is lesbian drama about a woman named Sunny who is a mastermind con artist with an addiction to Reign, her ex girlfriend and partner in crime. Released in 2012, it made the list for 2013 as it continued to dominate the internet throughout this year.

13. The Real Preacher’s Wives

Shaq brought the funny this year on his new youtube channel bringing a lot of great content. But The Real Preacher’s Wives caught our attention, and was one of our favorite’s this year. With familiar faces like Shari Headley, the series pokes fun at the reality tv shows and ultimately shows how silly these women on these real shows look fighting and arguing.

14. The Other Side

We featured Lady Luck Films with their web series Come Take A Walk With Me on our list last year. In the Fall of 2013, Lady Luck Films dropped an intense indie movie that had their fans talking. What happens when you find love on the other side?

15. Famous Farrah

Famous Farrah, pokes fun at the entitlement of the rich, hip hop culture and the desire to be famous. The series follows infectious disease scientist Farrah as she becomes a member of the hapless, questionably talented, Cake Boys rap crew.

16. The Out Crowd

Although one episode was released, this series made the list because ya know it was just too good not to post. “The Out Crowd” is a comedy web series about the ins & outs of gay urban life from a different perspective. I’m sure there is more to come but enjoy episode 1.

17. For Colored Boys REDEMPTION

For Colored Boys is a dramatic web series written and directed by award-winning filmmaker and content creator, Stacey Muhammad. The series, inspired the best-selling book For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, are short stories following the lives of seven African American men from all walks of life. The first season is called Redemption.

18. Girls Play

Girl Play Ep. 102- Blind Dates and Broken… by GirlPlayTV
A New Orleans based lesbian love story that follows four friends on their journey through love, life, and the “Big Easy”.

19. Brothers With No Game (Season 2)

Set in London, ‘Brothers With No Game – The Web Series’ follows the social and romantic lives of four friends: Theo, Dorian, Junior and Marcus. The 20-somethings come to terms with the responsibilities and dilemmas that revolve around work, family, friendships and most notably, women.

20. Almost Home

After the death of their mother, Lisa and DeJuan move to Southern California to start a new life. Once there, they meet Becca (Denyce Lawton) who helps Lisa find a job.

Black Web series and Indie Movies On Our Radar For 2014 :

1. Los Chicos
2. Asbury Park
3. Yellow
4. Studville TV (Season 2)