Focus Sets Kobi Libii Directorial Debut ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’

Focus has set The American Society of Magical Negroes, the directorial debut from Kobi Libii, for a March 22, 2024 release.

The film is described as a “fresh, satirical comedy about a young man, Aren, who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.”

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Justice Smith leads a cast that includes David Alan Grier, An-Li Bogan, Drew Tarver, Michaela Watkins, Rupert Friend and Nicole Byer.

Julia Lebedev and Eddie Vaisman of Sight Unseen, Angel Lopez and Libii will produce.

Libii’s credits include Comedy Central’s The Opposition with Jordan Klepper, where he acted as a writer and onscreen talent. He developed The American Society of Magical Negroes as a part of the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and Directors Lab.

Focus is currently in theaters with The Holdovers, the latest feature from Alexander Payne that reunites him with Sideways star Paul Giamatti. The Holdovers brought in more than $4 million at the specialty box office during its opening weekend. The Hollywood Reporter’s review of the film says the title is “not without its flaws, but it is an engaging and often touching comic drama that builds power as it moves toward its immensely satisfying conclusion.”

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