An Evening in the Spotlight with Linzy & Franco | VAEFF 2025

The Real Housewives in Tulsa + Early Works

This program presents a curated selection of Kalup Linzy’s seminal early works, offering a glimpse into his signature blend of melodrama, performance art, and DIY soap-opera aesthetics. These foundational shorts introduce a universe of characters, emotional textures, and narrative forms that shaped Linzy’s practice and cultural voice.

The screening culminates in the New York premiere of “The Real Housewives in Tulsa,” starring and directed by Kalup Linzy, co-starring James Franco. The program will be followed by a live conversation with Linzy and Franco, exploring their longstanding creative partnership and tracing the evolution of Linzy’s early experimental videos to this new cinematic chapter.

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Director & Star: Kalup Linzy

Co Star: James Franco

Synopsis: In an attempt to mend her broken heart, recently divorced Krissie (James Franco) meets up with her besties Sha’lice (Kalup Linzy), Nicole (Peter Gold), Alyssa (Branjae Jackson) and the latter’s husband Cody (Jasper Hammer) in Tulsa only to be confronted with judgment, secrets, and revelations that rock their reunion to its core. The Real Housewives in Tulsa production stills by Shane Brown All other stills courtesy of Kalup Linzy Studio

Director & Star: Kalup Linzy

Synopsis: As a New York Times Styles T Magazine 2010 Nifty Fifty, Linzy was commissioned to produced these videos for the magazine’s website, where they continue to be streamed today. Alongside Linzy, these videos feature hip hop queer rappers Bry’Nt and Last Offence as actors as well as Casey Spooner, Terence Koh, Viva Ruiz, the late Malik So Chic and a host of other stars of the downtown scene.

Director & Star: Kalup Linzy

Synopsis: Originally commissioned by Proenza Schouler for their resort collection art installation in Florence, Italy in 2009, these throwbacks, alongside Linzy star Chloe Sevigny, Liya Kebede, James “PJ” Ransone, and a host of art world luminaries. Produced by Art Production Fund and streams on Vogue.com

Director & Star: Kalup Linzy

Synopsis: In this vignette from the first Conversations Wit De Churen series, Nina’s mother refuses to let Nina and Misha borrow her car. Linzy explores the precariously triangular nature of female friendship—as epitomized by the modern conference call. Written, Directed, and Edited by Kalup Linzy. Nina: Kalup Linzy. Big Booty Meesha: Amana Johnson. Big Dick Johnny: Adrian Ellis. Bowlegged Mike: Robert A. Pruitt. Julietta: Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz. JaDell: Lester Julian Merriweather. Miss Mary: Whitfield Lovell.

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