Grammy-winning artist Tarriona “Tank” Ball, lead singer of Tank and the Bangas, will make her feature film acting debut in Norma, the upcoming drama from filmmaker Chris Jones. Tank will star as the title character and perform the film’s soundtrack, bringing her signature artistry to the story of a blues singer reclaiming her voice in a divided industry.

Filmmaker Chris Jones has been awarded the 2025 NPN Creation Fund to support the development of his debut feature film Norma. The award is part of NPN’s $398,000 investment in 21 new works nationwide, championing projects that explore resilience, identity, and systemic barriers. With this support, Norma continues its journey as a tribute to Louisiana’s musical legacy and the artists who shaped it.

Filmmaker Chris Jones has received the prestigious Take Notice Fund grant from the National Performance Network for his upcoming film Norma. This $5,000 award supports BIPOC artists in Louisiana and marks the first funding milestone for Norma, a 1933-set drama about an aging blues singer’s journey to reclaim her career in a racially divided music industry.

In this very special episode of BrosWhoThink Podcast we are joined by filmmaker and comedian Chris Jones as he breaks down his latest film, Pearl Motel, talks about how he balances filmmaking and stand-up comedy, and reveals what famous actor/actress he’d like to direct one day. If you like this episode, please subscribe to our channel and stay connected with BrosWhoThink Network.

This year's French Culture Film Grant finalists will take you for a non-stop sensory adventure of the francophone cultures that make our state unlike no other. From the mythical haunts of Evangeline to pastry ovens in Lafayette and on to a boucherie in Acadiana, from the legendary Good Hope Hall in Freetown to the Grammy's stage with Lost Bayou Ramblers, each story unpacks a new layer of Louisiana's francophone past, present, and future.​

Since middle school, Chris Jones knew he wanted to be an actor, just like Eddie Murphy in his favorite movie, “The Nutty Professor.” But a class project during Jones’ freshman year at Central High School in Baton Rouge put his life plan on hold.....

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is ready for its close-up.
A University-produced commercial will debut Saturday during ESPN3’s broadcast of the Herbert Heymann Football Classic, the first game of the Ragin’ Cajuns football season. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Cajun Field, but there’s no definite time when the 30-second spot will air.

The Emerging Voices Mentorship program, an initiative of the New Orleans Film Society, was created in 2014 and founded on the principle that to create a more diverse storytelling landscape, filmmakers of color in Louisiana need greater access to gatekeepers.