One significant Black filmmaker in Black history is Oscar Micheaux. Born in 1884, Micheaux was a pioneering African American filmmaker who wrote, produced, and directed over 40 films during the early 20th century. He is regarded as one of the first African American filmmakers to produce feature-length films and is often credited with helping to define the genre of race films - movies that featured all-Black casts and addressed issues of race and social injustice.

Micheaux's work often tackled themes of racial prejudice, economic inequality, and the complexities of Black identity in America. His films were groundbreaking for their time, addressing controversial topics such as lynching, interracial relationships, and discrimination in ways that were bold and unapologetic.

Some of Micheaux's most notable films include "Within Our Gates" (1920), which addressed the racial violence and discrimination faced by Black Americans, and "Body and Soul" (1925), which was one of the first films to feature a Black leading man in a complex, non-stereotypical role.

Oscar Micheaux's legacy as a filmmaker and activist continues to be celebrated today, as his work paved the way for future generations of Black filmmakers to tell their own stories and challenge societal norms through the medium of film.