Joseph E. Austin II hails from Prince George’s County, MD. He developed an interest in filmmaking after he suffered a knee injury that ended his football playing career in 2008. Joseph earned his Bachelor of Arts in Media Production from Salisbury University in May 2010 and received his Master of Fine Arts in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy in 2016. Joseph made his feature film debut in late 2020 with the award-winning film “Sundays in July”.
How was your experience at the Hip Hop Film Festival?
My experience at the 2022 Hip Hop Film Festival was simply amazing! I was fortunate to have two films screened at the festival (Sundays in July & Man Time) and the staff and organizers made me feel like royalty. The communication and the hospitality were top-notch. The in-person screening for Sundays in July was electric, the audience engagement with our film was so fulfilling along with the Q&A hosted by CR! It was truly an unforgettable experience.
Why are stories from the culture important?
Stories from the culture are important because we’re the ones telling our stories. We as a culture are giving ourselves permission to control our own narrative. We’re empowering future generations to be fearless creators and continue the rich traditions set by our predecessors.
What projects are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my next feature film entitled “A Story About You”. As I write this, we’re a few weeks away from the start of production. I’m really excited to be working on my sophomore feature with my “Sundays in July” family! I truly believe we have something special on our hands and I know it will be a game-changer! Stay tuned…
What do you think the future holds for the Hip Hop Film Festival and our stories?
I believe great things are in store for the Hip Hop Film Festival. As the brand continues to grow I know it will only continue to highlight exceptional voices from the culture. I will do my part to spread the word about the Hip Hop Film Festival. If you have a story from the culture the Hip Hop Film Festival is a stop you have to make on your festival circuit. Our future is bright and I’m here for it!