Dolby Institute Fellowship Film
The American Society of Magical Negroes is a satirical comedy about a young man, Aren (Justice Smith), who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to making white people’s lives easier. At first, Aren enjoys exploring his new powers but that all changes when he meets Lizzie (An-Li Bogan). Soon he begins to doubt whether he should be using his supernatural powers to do something he has always (wrongly) felt obligated to do.
Written and directed by Kobi Libii, the film takes a playful approach in its critique of the racial and cinematic trope of the “magical negro.” This term is used to describe a Black character that supports the white protagonist of the film but has no internal life of their own and is instead reduced to a set piece.
The film was originally developed as part of the Sundance's Screenwriters and Directors Lab and awarded the Dolby Institute Fellowship in 2021. The Fellowship is a post-production grant that allows filmmakers to finish their film in Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos® before its theatrical release. The American Society of Magical Negroes premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2024 and will be in theaters, released by Focus Features, on March 15th. 
Kobi Libii on capturing the subtleties of unease and humor in Dolby
Recipient of a 2021 Dolby Institute Fellowship, The American Society of Magical Negroes writer/director Kobi Libii has created a unique and challenging film about the distorted lenses Black people are often viewed through and the struggle to be seen for who they truly are as human beings.
Drop in on this exclusive interview with Kobi as he shares how Dolby helped him capture the interiority of the main character and immerse audiences in the Afrocentric qualities of the film.
Kobi Libii on capturing the subtleties of unease and humor in Dolby
Recipient of a 2021 Dolby Institute Fellowship, The American Society of Magical Negroes writer/director Kobi Libii has created a unique and challenging film about the distorted lenses Black people are often viewed through and the struggle to be seen for who they truly are as human beings.
Drop in on this exclusive interview with Kobi as he shares how Dolby helped him capture the interiority of the main character and immerse audiences in the Afrocentric qualities of the film.
In the sound design, a lot of what we are doing is trying to make that absurd visual story we are telling feel absolutely real and true.
Kobi Libii, director
Dolby Institute Fellowships
The Dolby Institute Fellowship program gives independent filmmakers support and access to cutting-edge Dolby tools to fully realize their creative vision. Partnerships with the Sundance Institute, SFFILM, Film Independent, and Chicken & Egg Pictures help films find wide audiences.Â