Curated by historians Charles Musser and Jacqueline Stewart, the set will include such landmark films as Oscar Micheaux's Within Our Gates, Spencer Williams's The Blood of Jesus, the Norman Manufacturing Company's The Flying Ace, The Scar of Shame, and Micheaux's The Symbol of the Unconquered (featuring a score by legendary jazz drummer Max Roach), among others (see below for a partial list of titles). These films -- both the features, and the shorts and fragments -- offer an invaluable survey of the too often underrepresented but historically significant contributions to independent cinema from early African-American filmmakers.

To support the additional cost of archival access, mastering, and scoring, Kino Lorber has announced a "stretch goal" for its Kickstarter campaign, and will now aim to reach $60,000 before the campaign ends on March 21. 

Launched on February 4, the Kickstarter campaign met its initial goal of $35,000 in just more than a week. "The message we take away from this is that the public has been hungry for a collection like this," says Kino Lorber CEO Richard Lorber, "To pay them back for their support, we're going to double down and give them an unforgettable box set -- one we believe will offer a significant contribution to film history."

In the remaining days of the campaign, Kino Lorber will announce additional films and incentives for contributors. Please visit the Kickstarter campaign page for updates.