Black or White
Short Film | Final Project | Directed by Elteriayah Hibbett
Black or White follows Janette, a shy African American teen who enrolls at a newly integrated high school in the racially tense South. There, she catches the attention of Joey, a rebellious white student drawn to her quiet strength. Their unexpected connection sparks something powerful—but also dangerous—in a town not ready to accept change.
As their bond deepens, Janette and Joey face increasing pressure from classmates, teachers, and their own families. Seeking escape, Joey takes Janette to a secret juke joint—an underground space where music transcends racial lines. It’s here that Janette begins to discover her voice, and Joey begins to grasp the weight of his rebellion.
Their journey takes a dark turn when Marsha, a jealous classmate, falsely accuses Janette of theft. In a community quick to condemn and slow to listen, Janette is arrested. Now Joey must face the truth about the world he lives in—and the cost of standing up to it. Black or White is a story about identity, justice, and the transformative power of love in the face of systemic oppression.
The Initiation
Short Film | Written & Directed by Elteriayah Hibbett
(Post-Production – Rough Draft)
Ceejay, a quiet and ambitious film student, feels like a ghost on his college campus—talented but invisible. Desperate to belong and be recognized, he sets his sights on The Golden Reel, an elite film society known for producing the best student filmmakers and holding the power to launch careers.
But earning a spot isn’t just about skill—it’s about survival. To join, Ceejay must endure a series of humiliating "challenges" masked as tradition. What starts as creative tests quickly devolves into acts of stereotyping, manipulation, and mockery—pushing Deejay to question not just the club, but his identity, his boundaries, and the price of acceptance.
The Initiation is a bold look at ambition, isolation, and the unspoken pressure to compromise yourself in order to belong. In a world where image is everything, Ceejay must decide if proving himself is worth losing who he is.