Punks is a 2001 film produced by Babyface, directed by Patrik-Ian Polk

Patrik-Ian Polk

Patrik-Ian Polk American film director, producer, screenwriter, singer, and actor. Polk, who is openly homosexual, is noted for his films that explore the LGBT experience and relationships....

 and starring Rockmond Dunbar

Rockmond Dunbar

Rockmond Dunbar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Kenny Chadway on the Showtime television drama series Soul Food, and as Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on the FOX television drama series Prison Break...

, Seth Gilliam

Seth Gilliam

Seth Gilliam is an American actor. He is known for his HBO television roles, first as corrections officer-turned-prisoner Clayton Hughes on Oz, and later as Baltimore police detective promoted to sergeant Ellis Carver on The Wire. On both of these series, he co-starred with Lance Reddick and J.D....

, Renoly Santiago

Renoly Santiago

Renoly Santiago is a Puerto Rican actor, singer and writer who has appeared in a number of high-profile Hollywood productions....

, Jazzmun

Jazzmun

Jazzmun is the stage name of Nichcalo Dion Crayton , an American actor and nightclub performer specializing in female impersonation in the Los Angeles area.-Background:...

, and Dwight Ewell

Dwight Ewell

-Career:Ewell was born in Williamston, North Carolina to teenage parents. His father fought in Vietnam and served six years in the United States military while Dwight's mother took care of Dwight and his younger sister. Unhappy in her marriage, at 21 years old, Dwight's mom took the children up...

.

The film follows the trials and tribulations of a group of gay

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...

 African American

African American

African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...

 friends. While black gay life

LGBT and multiculturalism

LGBT and multiculturalism is the diversity within LGBT community as a representation of different sexual orientations, gender identities—as well as different ethnic, language, religious groups within LGBT community...

 is explored in the film, universal aspects of friendship plays at the plot's forefront. The film's themes were later used for the 2005 LOGO

Logo (TV channel)

Logo is an American digital cable television channel owned by Viacom's MTV Networks division. Launched in June 2005, the channel's programs are geared towards the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community...

 cable television series Noah's Arc

Noah's Arc (TV series)

Noah's Arc is an American cable television dramedy. The series, which predominantly features gay black and Latino characters, focused on many socially relevant issues, including same sex dating, same-sex marriage, same-sex parenthood, HIV and AIDS awareness, infidelity, promiscuity, homophobia, gay...

. The film has made its television debut on LOGO

Logo (TV channel)

Logo is an American digital cable television channel owned by Viacom's MTV Networks division. Launched in June 2005, the channel's programs are geared towards the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community...

 on August 7, 2011.

Cast

• Seth Gilliam
  Seth Gilliam
  Seth Gilliam is an American actor. He is known for his HBO television roles, first as corrections officer-turned-prisoner Clayton Hughes on Oz, and later as Baltimore police detective promoted to sergeant Ellis Carver on The Wire. On both of these series, he co-starred with Lance Reddick and J.D....
  
   as Marcus
• Dwight Ewell
  Dwight Ewell
  -Career:Ewell was born in Williamston, North Carolina to teenage parents. His father fought in Vietnam and served six years in the United States military while Dwight's mother took care of Dwight and his younger sister. Unhappy in her marriage, at 21 years old, Dwight's mom took the children up...
  
   as Hill
• Renoly Santiago
  Renoly Santiago
  Renoly Santiago is a Puerto Rican actor, singer and writer who has appeared in a number of high-profile Hollywood productions....
  
   as Dante
• Rockmond Dunbar
  Rockmond Dunbar
  Rockmond Dunbar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Kenny Chadway on the Showtime television drama series Soul Food, and as Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on the FOX television drama series Prison Break...
  
   as Darby
• Jazzmun
  Jazzmun
  Jazzmun is the stage name of Nichcalo Dion Crayton , an American actor and nightclub performer specializing in female impersonation in the Los Angeles area.-Background:...
  
   as Chris/Crystal
• Rudolf Martin
  Rudolf Martin
  Rudolf Martin is a German actor working mainly in the US. He first appeared in off-Broadway productions and then moved on to extensive TV and film work. He has made guest appearances on numerous hit television series and recently started working in Germany as well. He currently resides in Los...
  
   as Gilbert
• Vanessa A. Williams
  Vanessa A. Williams
  Vanessa A. Williams is an American actress who has appeared in several television series such as Melrose Place and the Showtime cable television series Soul Food. In 1996, she was featured in the television series Murder One...
  
   as Jennifer
• Devon Odessa
  Devon Odessa
  Devon Odessa is an American actress and film producer most famous for her role as Sharon Cherski on My So-Called Life....
  
   as Felicity
• Loretta Devine
  Loretta Devine
  Loretta Devine is an American stage, film and television actress known for her roles on Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy, and Eli Stone. She also provided her voice for the stop motion animated television series The PJs. Devine is a NAACP Image Award and Emmy award winning actress.-Early life:Devine...
  
   as Health Counselor
• Rodney Chester
  Rodney Chester
  Rodney Chester is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Alex Kirby on the Logo sitcom Noah's Arc.-Biography:Originally from Cocoa Beach, Florida, Chester graduated from Bethune-Cookman College with honors before moving to Los Angeles to pursue dancing, choreography and theater...
  
   as Alexis Carrington Colby Dexter
• Thea Vidale
  Thea Vidale
  Thea Vidale , is an American stand-up comedian and actress.She began her career doing stand-up comedy in comic clubs in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Los Angeles...
  
   as Nurse

Awards and nominations

• Black Reel Awards
  Black Reel Awards
  The Black Reel Awards began in 2000 and were designed to annually recognize and celebrate the achievements of black people in feature, independent and television films...
  
  
  • Best Independent Actor - Theatrical:
    • (Rockmond Dunbar
      Rockmond Dunbar
      Rockmond Dunbar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Kenny Chadway on the Showtime television drama series Soul Food, and as Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on the FOX television drama series Prison Break...
      
      ) Winner

• Cleveland International Film Festival
  Cleveland International Film Festival
  The Cleveland International Film Festival, first held in 1977, is the largest film festival in Ohio. The 2010 festival featured over 300 films. Since 1991 the festival has been held at Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland.-Roxanne T...
  
  
  • Best American Independent Feature Film: Winner

• GLAAD Media Awards
  GLAAD Media Awards
  The GLAAD Media Award is an accolade bestowed by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to recognize and honor various branches of the media for their outstanding representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives...
  
  
  • Outstanding Film - Limited Release: Nominated

• Independent Spirit Awards
  Independent Spirit Awards
  The Independent Spirit Awards , founded in 1984, are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers. Winners were typically presented with acrylic glass pyramids containing suspended shoestrings representing the paltry budgets of independent films. In 1986, the event was renamed the Independent Spirit...
  
  
  • John Cassavetes Award
    Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award
    The Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award is presented to the creative team of a film budgeted at less than $500,000 by Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent film and independent filmmakers...
    
    :
    • (Patrik-Ian Polk
      Patrik-Ian Polk
      Patrik-Ian Polk American film director, producer, screenwriter, singer, and actor. Polk, who is openly homosexual, is noted for his films that explore the LGBT experience and relationships....
      
      , Tracey Edmonds
      Tracey Edmonds
      Tracey Edmonds is the CEO of Edmonds Entertainment Group Inc and COO of Our Stories Films.- Education :...
      
       and Michael McQuarn) Nominated

• L.A. Outfest
  • Outstanding Emerging Talent:
    • (Patrik-Ian Polk
      Patrik-Ian Polk
      Patrik-Ian Polk American film director, producer, screenwriter, singer, and actor. Polk, who is openly homosexual, is noted for his films that explore the LGBT experience and relationships....
      
      ) Winner