San Francisco holds a special place in Colman Domingo’s heart. He called it home from 1991 to 2001, and “it’s where I came of age as an artist,” he says. It’s no surprise that Variety, in partnership with the Frameline Film Festival, will present Domingo with the Creative Conscience Award on June 27th at the Castro Theater.
Domingo is no stranger to film festivals. “I went to Frameline every year, especially to watch the short program,” he says.
Short stories are particularly important to him as an artist, and he calls the films “ambitious and a slice of life.” He added that the film was “a reflection of who I am and who I want to be, whether it’s love, trials and tribulations or joy. I used to see this film every year as part of my pilgrimage, so the idea of coming home and going back to the Castro Theater is extraordinary to me.”
Domingo credits Frameline with helping him find his path as an artist, saying, “A lot of that is because of Frameline.”
It’s been a special year for the actor, who starred in the hit Michael Jackson biopic “Michael,” Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day,” and finished his role as Ali in HBO’s “Euphoria.” He also appears in and directs an episode of Netflix’s “The Four Seasons.”
When asked why he chooses his projects, Domingo says, “It’s a matter of taste.” “I am very astute when it comes to extracting what I think is beneficial to me.
At some point, I think I’m someone who has never forgotten my Bay Area roots. ”
He recalls that when he was a young actor, he often turned the tables on directors and producers. “I want to know the room I’m going to be in. I want to know my collaborators. What will this experience be like? How will it energize me? How will it energize me? Will it give me anything?” he says.
When Spielberg and Michael director Antoine Fuqua met about their respective films, they wanted to know if he felt he had something to offer the role or experience. “As an artist, what a great question!” he says. “It makes you think: What do I have to offer? What can I offer, not just as an actor or an artist, but as a human being? How do we build a set and treat each other? I’m very clear about that.”
he says: “I think that’s why my career is the way it is, and maybe that’s why I’ve had so much success.”
Domingo has a philosophy like a north star that guides his choices. “Pursue great work, foster a good atmosphere, and achieve meaningful success. I’ve followed that guideline for a long time. I never do anything just for the money or the opportunity.” At times, he had to let go of roles. “Because that role might not be right for me right now, and I have to believe that there’s more out there. Someone that I always feel like has more roles than me.” So it’s okay to let things go and go with that North Star, because it leads me to great moments and great collaborations. ”
And Domingo’s star continues to shine with more great moments. Later this year, he will begin production on the Nat “King” Cole biopic “Unforgettable,” in which he will serve as director, producer, and star.
