Richmond native Tamika Lamison screens her award-winning short film, “Superman Doesn’t Steal, ” at the Richmond International Film Festival this weekend. The film draws on Lamison’s experiences growing up in Richmond, while a series of murders of Black children were being committed in Atlanta in 1979.

  

This was a time when many Black parents around the country were on high alert, and the film explores themes of childhood, community and the challenges faced by Black children. It’s a coming-of-age story that she tells from her perspective, even portraying her mother in the film. When reminiscing about growing up in Richmond, Lamison recalls how she and her brother went about being kids, unaware of the community’s anxiety about the murders.

“The film is really about my brother and me. We used to play Batman and Robin,” she said. “We both loved comics and superheroes, and we loved riding bikes.”

The film opens with her and her brother, discussing Superman and other heroes and villains. However, the story shifts when they are sent on a routine errand to the neighborhood store for milk. This seemingly simple task triggers a series of events that profoundly impact the family, teaching the children difficult lessons while forcing the parents to confront their deepest fears for their children’s safety.

“I want people to take away the fact that Black children are not allowed to make mistakes,” she said. “It can result in death. But kids do stupid stuff. We don’t have the space like other children. It puts so much pressure on Black parents.”

The title, “Superman Doesn’t Steal,” is a reflection of the film’s central theme. It is Lamison’s reminder that situations can change heroes into villains. She wrote, produced and directed the short film, which premiered earlier this year at the Pan African Film Festival, clinching the Audience Award.

Lamison is a veteran in the film industry, writing and producing many films and documentaries throughout her career. Her work has been recognized at the Sundance Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival. 

Her film, “The Male Groupie,” aired on HBO, and she’s also been a writer and producer for the Amazon Prime/AllBLK show, “Monogamy,” for three seasons.

Although Lamison wanted to film in Richmond, logistical challenges led her to shoot in Atlanta. Jordyn McIntosh, from Hulu’s “Unprisoned,” who plays the young Lamiso, and Ellis Hobbs IV, who portrays her brother, both reside in Atlanta. Keslow Camera, an Atlanta-based rental house, donated the camera equipment for the production. Lamison also recognized that Atlanta’s landscape could stand in for Richmond, allowing her to achieve her vision for the film.

The Huguenot High School graduate wears many hats as she continues to make a name for herself in Hollywood. Another passion project, her Make A Film Foundation, grants wishes to children with serious or life-threatening medical conditions. She teams the kids with writers, directors and producers who help them create short film legacies, creating four award-winning shorts and over 100 short documentaries.

Lamison advises aspiring screenwriters to write and connect through online writing communities, such as Sundance Collab, a worldwide community platform for artists.

“In the world we live in now, you can be anywhere to write and learn and have a community to write,” Lamison said.

“Superman Doesn’t Steal,” screens at the Byrd Theater at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. Tickets are $10 and include several other short films. Details: rvafilmfestival.com