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Jimmy Smits Returns to Memphis to Celebrate Princeton James 10-Year Milestone in Local Film and Television
A Hollywood veteran returned to Memphis on Saturday night to honor a decade of work by filmmaker and playwright Princeton James, who has helped build the city’s creative community. The event, reported by WMC, was part of a weekend of activities tied to James’ Kooler Kids initiative, a program that trains young people in performance, writing, leadership and life skills.
Jimmy Smits, known for roles in L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, The West Wing and the Star Wars franchise, was the headline guest at the celebration. James, the creator of the feature film Queen Rising and the sold‑out Soul Murder Mystery series, marked ten years of developing Memphis as a destination for film and television production.
The Saturday night gathering was held in Memphis, Tennessee, and drew industry professionals, community leaders and local residents. It was one of several events scheduled over the weekend to showcase the impact of Kooler Kids, a program that has reached more than 20,000 children and has faced challenges such as the COVID‑19 pandemic and shifting funding landscapes.
During the ceremony, Princeton James spoke about the future of the city’s entertainment economy. “I know and I’m pretty sure that in the next six months to a year people are going to see a huge change that I created economy, especially in the film television market and in the next five years, you wouldn’t even recognize the city it would be a hub for entertainment. It would have our own lease of film and TV verticals. It’s gonna be a whole movement of entertainment,” James said.
Jimmy Smits echoed the sentiment, noting James’ focus on mentorship and community. “He was talking about mentorship how he feels about the community and how arts intersect with the community and give them back to the kids and what he’s been doing Cool, the kids and all this production work to try to fortify film and television here in Memphis you guys have so much here to offer,” Smits said.
Kooler Kids, founded by James, has become a staple of Memphis’ arts education. According to the program’s website, it has trained more than 20,000 children in a range of creative disciplines. The initiative has been described as a key driver in expanding the city’s film and television workforce and in providing youth with skills that translate to broader career opportunities.
The celebration highlighted the program’s resilience. James noted that the decade of growth was built through real obstacles, from the pandemic to changing funding landscapes. The event served as a public acknowledgment of the community’s support and the city’s potential to become a major entertainment hub.
While the article does not detail future releases or specific festival appearances, it underscores the ongoing momentum behind Memphis’ film and television scene. The weekend’s events, including the Saturday night ceremony, were part of a broader effort to showcase local talent, attract production activity and strengthen the city’s cultural infrastructure.
In summary, Jimmy Smits’ appearance in Memphis marked a milestone for Princeton James and the Kooler Kids program. The event celebrated ten years of community‑focused arts education and the growing influence of Memphis in the film and television industry. The program continues to operate, training new generations of creatives and positioning the city as a potential hub for entertainment production.
Jimmy Smits, known for roles in L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, The West Wing and the Star Wars franchise, was the headline guest at the celebration. James, the creator of the feature film Queen Rising and the sold‑out Soul Murder Mystery series, marked ten years of developing Memphis as a destination for film and television production.
The Saturday night gathering was held in Memphis, Tennessee, and drew industry professionals, community leaders and local residents. It was one of several events scheduled over the weekend to showcase the impact of Kooler Kids, a program that has reached more than 20,000 children and has faced challenges such as the COVID‑19 pandemic and shifting funding landscapes.
During the ceremony, Princeton James spoke about the future of the city’s entertainment economy. “I know and I’m pretty sure that in the next six months to a year people are going to see a huge change that I created economy, especially in the film television market and in the next five years, you wouldn’t even recognize the city it would be a hub for entertainment. It would have our own lease of film and TV verticals. It’s gonna be a whole movement of entertainment,” James said.
Jimmy Smits echoed the sentiment, noting James’ focus on mentorship and community. “He was talking about mentorship how he feels about the community and how arts intersect with the community and give them back to the kids and what he’s been doing Cool, the kids and all this production work to try to fortify film and television here in Memphis you guys have so much here to offer,” Smits said.
Kooler Kids, founded by James, has become a staple of Memphis’ arts education. According to the program’s website, it has trained more than 20,000 children in a range of creative disciplines. The initiative has been described as a key driver in expanding the city’s film and television workforce and in providing youth with skills that translate to broader career opportunities.
The celebration highlighted the program’s resilience. James noted that the decade of growth was built through real obstacles, from the pandemic to changing funding landscapes. The event served as a public acknowledgment of the community’s support and the city’s potential to become a major entertainment hub.
While the article does not detail future releases or specific festival appearances, it underscores the ongoing momentum behind Memphis’ film and television scene. The weekend’s events, including the Saturday night ceremony, were part of a broader effort to showcase local talent, attract production activity and strengthen the city’s cultural infrastructure.
In summary, Jimmy Smits’ appearance in Memphis marked a milestone for Princeton James and the Kooler Kids program. The event celebrated ten years of community‑focused arts education and the growing influence of Memphis in the film and television industry. The program continues to operate, training new generations of creatives and positioning the city as a potential hub for entertainment production.
