Soul Food (film)

Soul Food
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGeorge Tillman Jr.
Written byGeorge Tillman Jr.
Produced byTracey E. Edmonds
Robert Teitel
Starring
CinematographyPaul Elliott
Edited byJohn Carter
Music byLisa Coleman
Wendy Melvoin
Production
companies
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • September 26, 1997 (1997-09-26)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$7.5 million
Box office$43.7 million

Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film written and directed by George Tillman Jr. in his major studio debut. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma P. Hall, Gina Ravera and Brandon Hammond. The story centers on the trials of an extended Black American family, held together by longstanding family traditions which begin to fade as serious problems take center stage.

Tillman based the family in the film on his own and Soul Food was widely acclaimed for presenting a more positive image of African-Americans than is typically seen in Hollywood films. In 2000, Showtime premiered a one-hour television series based upon the film. In 2015, it was announced that 20th Century Fox is planning a sequel for the film called More Soul Food, written by Tillman.