Christopher B. Stokes has quietly set a major milestone in Hollywood. The powerhouse behind Footage Films has now directed more than 50 movies, making him one of the most consistently active African American directors working today.
While the industry has been rocked by shutdowns, strikes, and budget cuts over the past few years, Stokes never took his foot off the gas. Instead, he doubled down — releasing thrillers, dramas, and streaming hits back-to-back.
“When creating films the objective is to tell diverse, culturally rich stories with high artistic, creative, technical standards. The cinematography and our actors must be flawless.” — Chris Stokes
Chris Stokes, Juanita Stokes at Footage Films’ “Run” Los Angeles Premiere held at the TCL Chinese Theatre on August 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images)
From Music Roots to Movie Hustle
Stokes first made his mark in the music world, discovering and managing hit groups like Immature and B2K, before making the jump to film. His early projects, including House Party 4 (2001) and You Got Served (2004), proved he could move audiences just as powerfully on the screen as he did on the charts.
Building a Streaming Lane
In recent years, he’s carved out a loyal following on Tubi, where his thrillers and suspense films have become fan favorites. His movie Adopted 1 even ranked among the platform’s top three most-streamed originals.
This summer, Stokes made a theatrical splash with RUN (August 29, 2025), premiering in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles.
Actress Drew Sidora praised her experience:
“What an honor it’s been starring in movies under the tutelage of the amazing Director Christopher Stokes and the Footage Films family. It’s been one of the best on-camera filming experiences ever.”
Annie Ilonzeh, who stars as Melissa in the sci-fi thriller, added:
“I want to thank Director Chris Stokes for giving actresses like myself, Erica Pinkett, and Erica Mena a chance to prove ourselves in this incredible film.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 27: Chris Stokes attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Footage Films’ “Run” at TCL Chinese Theatre on August 27, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
What’s Next
The work doesn’t stop here. Stokes already has 6–7 new projects lined up, including:
Rockabye (starring Annie Ilonzeh)
Twin (starring Drew Sidora)
Hijack
I Didn’t Do It
Nightshift
Fans can also expect Adopted 2 in October 2025, featuring rising young star Jayden Aguirre, alongside Princess Love and Don Benjamin. Looking ahead, Leave is slated for a theatrical MLK Weekend 2026 release, with Shallett Jefferson (Tyler Perry’s Straw), V. Bozeman (Empire), and Stephanie Barrington.
Founded in 2015, Footage Films has been Stokes’ creative hub. With content ranging from BET+ originals (Sacrifice, Trigger) to streaming platforms like Apple TV+, Prime Video, and UrbanflixTV, the company’s focus is on delivering culturally rich stories that resonate.
From his start in music to his long run in film, Chris Stokes has shown an unmatched ability to keep projects moving and audiences watching. And with his upcoming slate, it’s clear that the work is just getting started.
