About
When David Appleby arrived in Memphis in 1977, he began producing films on varied regional subjects – independently and for public television. After being awarded a Kellogg Fellowship in International Development in 1987, he concentrated more on community development issues and civil rights. His films have aired nationally on PBS, ABC, A&E, and Starz.
Specialties: Documentary Film, Cinematography, Audio, Film and Video Production
Education
B.A. Sociology Clark University 1970
M.F.A. Film and Television Temple University 1979
Selected Production Credits
Beyond Babyland (46 min, 2010) Producer, director, editor (with C. Leake). A longer version of Babyland, and airing on most PBS stations, it takes a deeper look at the high infant mortality rate among poor, black residents of Memphis’ inner city. Narrated by Viola Davis.
- EMMY for writing (Mid-south regional)
Babyland (41 min., 2008) Producer, director (with C. Leake). A special edition of 20/20 for ABC, this film deals with the high infant mortality rate among poor, black residents of Memphis’ inner city. Reporter: Elizabeth Vargas
Hoxie: The First Stand (56 min, 2003) Producer, writer, director, editor. The story of the first school desegregation battle in the south following the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board decision. Broadcast nationally on PBS and distributed by California Newsreel.
- George Foster Peabody Award
- duPont-Columbia Award
- CINE Golden Eagle
- Erik Barnouw Award: Honorable Mention
- EMMY for writing (Mid-south regional)
- Best of Festival, Breckenridge Film Festival
At The River I Stand (58 min., 1993) Producer, Writer, Director, Editor (with A. Graham and S. Ross); Videographer. The story of the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike and the last crusade of Dr. Martin Luther King. Aired nationally on PBS and distributed by California Newsreel.
- Erik Barnouw Award from the Organization of American Historians
- Joady Award
- CINE Golden Eagle
- Best Historical Documentary, Sinking Creek Film Festival
- EMMY nomination (national)
- NAACP Image Award nomination
Partners in Development. (23 min., 1992) Producer, Writer, Director, Editor, Co-videographer. On the creation of a women's weaving cooperative in rural Paraguay. Distributed by Partners of the Americas.
- CINE Golden Eagle Award.
Frog Pond. (20 min., 1987) Writer, Producer, Director, Editor. A children's show with an anti-litter theme. Produced for The Tennessee Department of Transportation and distributed by Pyramid Films.
- “Best Educational Outreach” from Keep America Beautiful.
The Old Forest. (60 min., 1984) Co-Producer/Writer/Editor, Second Unit Cinematographer. Based on the award-winning short story by Peter Taylor. Broadcast nationally on Arts & Entertainment Network and distributed by Pyramid Films.
- Grand Prize, Houston International Film Festival.
The Invisible River. (28 min., 1983) Writer, Co-producer (w/W. Kirkpatrick), Director, Editor, Second Unit Cinematographer. Examines the relationship between the Mississippi River and the City of Memphis.
- Broadcast Media Award, San Francisco State University.
On Call (1982) Television Series, WKNO-TV
[Producer, director] Weekly medical series funded by The Shelby County Medical Society.
Remains. (28 min., 1979) Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor. A documentary journey down the modern River Styx.
- Best Documentary, Mid Atlantic Film Board.
Energy. (45 min, 1978) Informative film on various types of energy sources. Co-Producer (w/W. Kirkpatrick), Director. Produced for the U.S. Department of Energy.
Work in Progress. (22 min, 1975) Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor. The dancers of Zero Moving Company create a new piece. Aired on WHYY, Philadelphia.
Other Awards and Recognition
- Six Regional Emmy nominations
- Board of Visitors Eminent Faculty Award, 2005
- Donald and Genie Rice Residency, Yaddo Colony, 2005.
- Distinguished Research Award from The University of Memphis, 2004.
- University Film and Video Association Award of Merit (highest honor) for Hoxie: The First Stand,
- Dean’s Creative Achievement Award, 2003.
- Kellogg Fellowship in International Development. 1987-89.
- Who's Who in America
Grants and Sponsored Service
$200,000 from ABC News (to Pacific Films) for Babyland , 2008.
$100,000 from The Urban Child Foundation for Beyond Babyland, 2006.
$49,730 from The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation for educational materials related to, and limited distribution of, Hoxie: The First Stand, 2004.
$25,000 from the Delta Foundation for Hoxie: The First Stand, 2000.
$45,000 from The Southern Humanities Media Fund for Hoxie: The First Stand, 1999.
$24,995 from The Arkansas Humanities Council for Hoxie: The First Stand, (w/A. Graham)1997.
$4,000 University Research Grant, for Hoxie: The First Stand, (w/A. Graham) 1997.
$4,000 University Research Grant, for Half the Sky, 1995.
$25,000 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for At The River I Stand. (w/A. Graham and S. Ross), 1993.
$23,000 from The W.K. Kellogg Foundation for video production on community development projects in Latin America. All travel and accommodations for the crew were covered separately, bringing the total expenditure to well over $50,000. 1992.
$30,451 from the Tennessee Humanities Council for At The River I Stand. (w/A. Graham and S. Ross), 1992.