*Black Public Media (BPM) will honor the exceptional film and television editor Lillian E. Benson with its BPM Trailblazer Award at the eighth PitchBLACK Awards PitchBlack 2025 – Black Public Media event on Thursday, May 1. Benson’s remarkable achievements in the industry make this award not only fitting but a celebration of her undeniable impact and talent.
“It was very exciting to find out I was going to be given this award. I’m in very good company,” the Emmy-nominated editor said.
BPM announced a two-week online retrospective of Benson’s films, celebrating her remarkable work. This event will take place from Monday, April 28, to Monday, May 12, and offers a wonderful opportunity for audiences to engage with her artistic contributions.
“The fate of the editor is often one where we have to stand behind the director or producer, and they’re the ones that get the accolades and praise and we’re part of the team, but it is a good thing that Black Public Media is saying editors deserve the crown just as much as directors and producers do,” Benson stated.
Benson served as the secretary on the board of the American Cinema Editors and made history in 1991 by becoming the first African American woman to join the honorary society. In recognition of her contributions to the industry, she received a Career Achievement Award in 2022. Additionally, she was honored with the esteemed Fellowship & Service Award by the Motion Picture Editors Guild.
In 1991, the native New Yorker was nominated for an Emmy for her work on the acclaimed PBS civil rights series “Eyes On the Prize II.”
Throughout her career, she has contributed to films that have collectively earned five Emmy nominations, four Peabody Awards, and numerous other accolades.
“This year is especially meaningful as we honor the remarkable Lillian Benson, whose career has helped pave the way for so many and whose commitment to mentoring is shaping a new generation of artists,” says Leslie Fields-Cruz, BPM executive director.
When reflecting on her most impactful projects, Benson emphasized the profound influence of the landmark PBS series “Eyes on the Prize” as well as a compelling documentary about the late legendary Congressman John Lewis. These works have played a vital role in shaping the conversation around civil rights and social justice.
“Eyes on the Prize,” I feel, had the most impact of anything that I have worked on. I also loved working on the John Lewis film, “Get in the Way,” which was the first John Lewis film that was done because I love me some John Lewis,” Benson said.
She hoped to complete an independent feature film, “Flash Before the Bang,” last year, but she says they ran out of money.
“It’s a coming-of-age sports story about a deaf athlete. And it’s with a deaf director. I worked with an interpreter, and it was very exciting.
Lillian added: “I mean, it was exciting because we communicated and shared ideas. The story might help people be more tolerant and kinder,” she shared.
The BPM event is the culmination of the PitchBLACK Forum, the nation’s largest pitch competition for independent filmmakers and creative technologists who create Black content, which kicks off on Wednesday, April 30, in Harlem.
Tené Croom – www.youtube.com/user/tcroomcommunications
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