Meet Christopher Sutton | Cinematographer, Filmmaker, & Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Sutton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued my creative career to further expand on the imagination and representation of visionary black LGBT+ narratives.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe what sets me apart as a filmmaker is actually rooted more in my focus on what emotionally connects audiences together through film. Growing up Black, gay, and reaching the height of 7ft tall in Detroit, often created an exterior perception of who I wanted to be, that often eclipsed my authentic self. Even as a 313 kid from 7 Mile and Meyers, I’ve always used world building through storytelling as a way to freely express myself beyond the bounds of external misconceptions of me. Once I gained access to filmmaking tools as I grew older, not only did this creative medium become my passion, but it also became a universal language for me to communicate myself with the world, and to make a deeper emotional connection with audiences.

Filmmaking has also blessed me with the ability to further highlight Detroit’s beautiful and thriving Black LGBT+ community, which has helped mold much of my creative vision.

This unconditional love I have for Detroit and the Black LGBT+ that resides here, is reflected in two of my upcoming film projects that I’m currently directing, which include the 30 Years of LGBT Detroit documentary and an untitled short-film highlighting the iconic Black LGBT+ after-hours space, Club Heaven.

The 30 Years of LGBT Detroit full-length documentary highlights the three-decade journey of LGBT Detroit, which is North America’s largest and Black-founded LGBT+ organization. The untitled Club Heaven short-film (which is a Detroit Narrative Agency 2024/2025 Fellowship-awarded project), centers around a 90s-fueled Saturday night in Detroit, where a group of friends are in search of their own sense of purpose and paradise, within the sanctuary sounds of a club called Heaven. Both of these projects reflect not only the often untold history of Detroit’s LGBT+ community, but also provide a pivotal path of how we can preserve the legacy and future of these communities as well. Both the 30 Years of LGBT Detroit documentary and the untitled Club Heaven film are slated for a 2025 release.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The rich history and magnificent landmarks of Detroit have been a consistent backdrop in bringing life to much of my filmmaking. I love highlighting the beauty of Detroit, especially its growing black LGBT+ cuisine, music, and arts community, that help provide a safe space for me to find my scene in the 313. Here are just a few I always share with new visitors of Detroit: that this city has always been rich with historic landmarks and hidden gems.

Detroit Vegan Soul
This Black queer-owned restaurant is a must-go-to for any vegan foodie who has a taste for delicious soul food flavors.

Good Cakes And Bakes
A pillar of Detroit’s booming Ave Of Fashion district, Good Cakes And Bakes is for anyone who has a sweet tooth for the best bake goods, while also supporting a Black LGBT+ owned long-standing bakery.

LGBT Detroit
Celebrating 30 years in serving southeast Michigan’s LGBT+ community, LGBT Detroit is the largest Black founded and led LGBT+ organization in North America. The LGBT Detroit campus resides right on Greenfield and 8 Mile in Detroit, in a truly safe, brave space for LGBT+ programming and services.

Spot Lite Detroit
If you’re looking for good music, smooth drinks, chill vibes, and classic vinyls, you have to check out Spot Lite Detroit. Near Detroit’s Eastern Market District, Spot Lite Detroit is one of the hottest spots to check out some of the best DJs in the 313, while mingling with who’s who of Detroit. Spot Lite Detroit is also queer owned, and one of the most inclusive clubs/lounges in the D.

The Wright Museum
Right in the center of Detroit’s midtown art district, exists one of the largest museums honoring the vastness of African-American history. The Wright Museum is something you have to experience in person, and will leave you with memories that you will never forget.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This may be an expansive approach, but I truly owe much of my devotion towards creativity to my beloved birthplace of Detroit, especially Detroit’s Black LGBT+ community, that has poured so much into crafting my artistic passions.

Website: https://www.INPAQ.me

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/inpaq

Twitter: https://twitter.com/inpaq

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/inpaq

Youtube: https://youtube.com/inpaqmedia

Image Credits
A. Nzere Kwabena – LGBT Detroit

Andrew Potter – Pride Source