‘Seeds’: Award-Winning Documentary Sheds Light on the Fight to Preserve Black Farmland in the South
Reel Perspectives
October 23, 2026
Brittany Shyne’s powerful documentary explores the history, resilience, and legacy of generational Black farmers as they fight to hold on to the land their families have called home for generations.
The fight to preserve Black-owned farmland in the South takes center stage in Seeds, a deeply moving documentary from Independent Lens that explores the history, hardships, and enduring legacy of Black family farmers. Directed by Brittany Shyne in her debut feature, the award-winning film offers an intimate look at the people behind the land, capturing what it means to protect a family’s history, preserve a way of life, and hold on to a sense of belonging when so much stands in the way. Seeds will be available on PBS and the PBS App beginning October 26.
Set against the rural landscapes of Thomasville, Georgia, Seeds follows a remarkable African American centennial farm, bringing viewers into the lives of farmers whose connection to the land stretches across generations. Through the perspectives of three individuals, Shyne captures the daily realities of farming while revealing the deeper emotional ties that bind families to the soil they cultivate. The result is a powerful portrait of perseverance, shaped by a long history of struggle and the determination to keep Black farming traditions alive.
For generations of Black farmers in the South, owning land has represented far more than an economic investment. It is a connection to family, independence, identity, and the sacrifices made by those who came before. Yet the decline of generational Black farming reflects the enormous challenges families continue to face as they fight to retain land passed down through generations. Seeds brings that struggle into focus, showing the human cost of losing not only property but also the history, memories, and cultural roots that make it meaningful.
Shyne spent ten years observing and filming these farmers, allowing their lives to unfold with an honesty and intimacy that give the documentary its emotional weight. Rather than rushing through their experiences, she takes the time to capture the rhythms of rural life, the quiet moments of reflection, and the realities of families working to preserve what they have built. Her patient, observational approach creates space for the farmers’ stories to speak for themselves, revealing the complexity of their personal histories and the lasting impact of their family legacies.
Shot in striking black-and-white imagery, Seeds transforms familiar scenes of farm life into a lyrical and immersive experience. Shyne’s thoughtful cinematography and poetic storytelling weave together themes of race, class, culture, identity, and family lineage without losing sight of the people at the heart of the film. Every image carries a sense of history, while the intimate access to the farmers makes their fight feel deeply personal. The land becomes more than a backdrop; it is a living connection between past and present, carrying the hopes, sacrifices, and memories of generations.
The film’s recognition at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it received the U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Award, underscores the power of Shyne’s filmmaking and the importance of the stories she brings to the screen. With Seeds, she offers a heartfelt tribute to the remaining Black family farms in America, honoring the resilience of the people who continue to work the land despite enduring obstacles. Their stories remind viewers that preserving farmland also means protecting a vital part of Black history and ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to carry that legacy forward.
With its breathtaking imagery, patient storytelling, and deeply human perspective, Seeds is both a reflection on the past and a timely look at what is at stake for Black farmers in the South today. Shyne’s documentary serves as a love letter to the families who have spent generations cultivating the land, reminding audiences that the fight to keep it is ultimately a fight to preserve history, heritage, and the right to belong.
Seeds will be available on PBS at 10 p.m. and on the PBS App on October 26.
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