Catfish Kingdom

Role: Producer

Selected for Video Consortium DC’s programming

Selected for the 2020 Crossroads Film Festival

The 1980s saw an explosion of catfish production in the U.S. — the south was dotted with dozens, if not hundreds, of processing plants. Every last one, however, was under white ownership. That is, until Ed Scott Jr. came along.  

From being refused government loans, to having 900 acres of land taken during “The Great Land Robbery,” Scott battled entrenched, institutionalized racism to become the first person of color in America to own and operate a catfish processing plant.  

This animated piece tells the story of the Mississippi Delta catfish legend. We spoke with Willena Scott-White, Scott’s daughter and the “family historian,” about her father’s life and legacy. Between the oral history from Scott-White, archival footage and animation, we weaved together the story of Ed Scott Jr.