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During this summers historic protests for racial equality, film studio Lionsgate announced a groundbreaking partnership with the New York Times, Nikole Hannah-Jones and Oprah Winfrey to adapt the award-winning1619 Project into an expansive portfolio of new media content. At the time, Lionsgate confirmed that feature films, television series and other content for a global audience were in the works.

Late last week at a virtual attractions expo hosted by tourism industry outlet Blooloop, Lionsgate executive vice president and head of global live, interactive & location-based entertainment Jenefer Brown revealed that the company was developing exhibitions and live events based on the concept.

In speaking at the Blooloop V-Expo, Brown explained that Lionsgate was looking into developing content from the 1619 Project into exhibitions and experiences, and perhaps live events. Lionsgate film franchises Now You See Me, La La Landand The Hunger Games were all successfully translated into live performances, and The Hunger Games also saw success with a traveling exhibition.

Even before this summers rise of Black Lives Matter protests, there wasincreasing interest in uncovering and understanding the racist actions that fill U.S. history. Demand has meant that despite being open for four years, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (another project Oprah Winfrey was involved in, including making a $13 million donation to ensure its realization) still required timed entry tickets on select days. (It currently requires them as part of its COVID safety protocols.) In 2019, the museum ranked among the most visited Smithsonian museums in the nation, with an estimated 2 million visitors. Meanwhile, the nations first memorial dedicated to lynching victims saw thousands in attendance for its opening in 2018.

Trumps thrusting of the 1619 Project into the middle of the modern culture wars has helped make the New York Times Magazine project a household name. Conservatives, especially President Trump, have been vocal critics of the project, condemning its conclusion that systemic racism is at the root of many decisions that have had significant impacts on present-day realities. In September, Trump vowed to investigate the use of the 1619 Projects resources within public schools, claiming "This project rewrites American history." Trump also vowed to limit federal agencies from conducting racial sensitivity training that it finds offensive, especially those that teach from a Critical Race Theory perspective or acknowledge the existence of white privilege.

None of the partners working on the upcoming events or exhibitions have yet shared timelines regarding the new collaboration.

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The 1619 Project will be adapted into exhibits and live events by Lionsgate with Oprah Winfrey - Orlando Weekly