Jared Malik Royal wrote and directed this short film, Dear Dad, which premiered over Father’s Day weekend at the American Black Film Festival in Miami as part of festival sponsor Walmart’s three-film showcase and panel platform for its Black & Unlimited series.
Produced by RSA Films, Dear Dad is the story of a Black father named Kamal Bell, a former educator who nurtures the earth for a living as a farmer, and instills his inventiveness, imaginative spirit and scientific know-how in his own children. In so doing, he sets them on a path to grow, thrive and understand the value of nature and togetherness in their lives.
“Dear Dad portrays Kamal Bell tending to the land of Sankofa Farms where he’s growing organic food,” said Royal. “Generations of my family made their lives tending to the land in this country, so I felt a connection. Kamal’s process is creative and scientific, practices that are underrepresented by the media with Black men. Kamal instills these things in his children. A lot of times, very unhealthy food is promoted to Black communities. I wanted to show us taking control of the narrative. The Walmart team was very conscious of what is important, has integrity and strong leadership, and gave me the freedom to make this film in the right way. The result is a stronger representation of Black fathers and their families which I hope inspires and empowers.”
As part of Walmart’s "Dear Dad: A conversation on the new face of Black Fatherhood" program, Royal had the opportunity to work with a filmmaker mentor in Malcolm D. Lee, an award-winning director (and cousin of Spike Lee) known most recently for Girls Trip and Space Jam: A New Legacy. That mentorship, Royal said, gave him insights not only about delivering a strong narrative, but also about the importance and responsibility of having the platform to be recognized as a young Black director by the film industry.
Royal chose “Love is the Message” for the film’s music anthem, written by Yussef Dayes shortly after the birth of his first daughter and performed by Dayes, Mansur Brown, Alfa Mist and Rocco Palladino. The track’s energy and emotive groove helps drive the story forward.
