LOS ANGELES, CA, November 13, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — Bloomberg News has already spotlighted Footage Film’s expertise. In its February 2023 report on Tubi, which noted that Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch had turned down offers of more than $2 billion, Bloomberg named The Stepmother, directed by Stokes, among the original films it highlighted, reporting that the film drew strong viewership in July 2022 and led Tubi to commission a sequel that was available by December of that year.
Following The Stepmother, Tubi signed Stokes to a 20-picture deal, and he has since gone on to complete 39 movies for Tubi / Fox Corporation, releasing movie #39, “Don’t Quit” a sports drama movie that premieres today, exclusively as a Tubi Original.
“I’m truly grateful to continue my partnership with Tubi/Fox Corporation, with several more titles coming in 2027, including the next chapter of the Stepfather franchise starring Taye Diggs. The Tubi audience has embraced our films, and I don’t take that for granted. I’m also honored to bring my work to Turnstr+, an exciting new voice in streaming, and to share these stories with even more viewers,” said Chris Stokes.
Through Turnstr+, Footage Films Studios is helping the Turnstr+ team spearhead the entertainment ecosystem that combines original film production, modern streaming technology, and direct-to-consumer distribution. Stokes is no stranger to helping build platforms, with a strong track record of writing and directing successful original films for Tubi, BET, BET+, and TV One.
With a company-reported library of 68 completed films, an extensive portfolio of owned intellectual property, and a company-estimated valuation of $200 million, Footage Films Studios represents the culmination of Stokes’ decades of experience across multiple sectors of entertainment.
THE 20-PICTURE DEAL AND TURNSTR+’S ORIGINAL-CONTENT STRATEGY
In April 2026, Variety exclusively reported that Stokes had signed a 20-picture agreement with Turnstr+, establishing a substantial pipeline of original films. The announcement named Forever, This Ring — starring Taye Diggs, Loretta Devine, Erica Mena, Marques Houston, Charles Malik Whitfield, and La’Myia Good — as a flagship original release, and the film debuted with the platform’s October 2026 launch.
Turnstr+, which has already launched on all platforms, is blazing up the streaming charts. Following its first original, came the award-buzzing film Leave, which is “based on true events”. Stokes has already finished 7 movies for the platform, with 5 more set for release.
Just one month after its launch, Turnstr+ is positioning itself as an ambitious new competitor in the advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) marketplace. Its original-content-first strategy centers on Turnstr+ Originals, a growing slate of exclusive feature films, with the goal of standing alongside Tubi as a major destination for free original entertainment. Turnstr+ is betting that a steady pipeline of original movies can become its competitive advantage. For Stokes, the opportunity is a vertically integrated business combining film production, IP ownership, streaming technology, ad-supported distribution, acquisitions and direct relationships with viewers.
FROM R&B STAR-MAKER TO FILMMAKER
Before becoming a studio owner, Stokes established himself in contemporary R&B. He helped develop Immature (later IMx). He went on to discover and develop B2K, one of the defining boy bands of the early 2000s. Stokes also credits himself with early involvement in the careers of Brandy, Ray J, Grammy-winning producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Jhené Aiko, Ty Dolla $ign and consulted Matthew Knowles with the success of Destiny’s Child.
In 2004, Stokes directed You Got Served, the dance drama that became a defining film for a generation of young audiences. He later expanded into thrillers, comedy, suspense, action, romantic dramas, and family entertainment. He is currently in talks with Sony Pictures to do You Got Served 2.
In September 2025, Media Take Out published “Chris Stokes is now the number one African American director in the world, holding the record for the most movies directed by an African American film maker with 68 movies under his belt and counting, surpassing Spike Lee and Tyler Perry!”.
A BUSINESS BUILT ON OWNERSHIP
With a net worth of $30 million, a figure separate from the Footage Films Studios valuation. His business philosophy centers on ownership: through Footage Films Studios, he is building a library of original movies and intellectual property, a platform to connect that content with audiences. Together, they represent an independent entertainment operation with greater control over development, production, marketing, and distribution.
KEY PUBLICATION REFERENCES
Variety (Apr. 17, 2026) — Chris Stokes Signs Exclusive 20-Picture Deal With Turnstr+ (via IMDb) | Syndicated by WTYE
Bloomberg News (Feb. 10, 2023) — Murdoch Turned Down $2 Billion for Tubi as Online TV Ads Soar | Also via The Peninsula
Variety (Jan. 2023) — Tubi to Launch Four Original Black Cinema Thrillers From Footage Films
MediaTakeOut (Sept. 8, 2025) — Chris Stokes Is NOW One Of Most Prolific Black Filmmakers!
Blackfilm (Jan. 2004) — Chris Stokes Interview | Box Office Mojo — You Got Served
AllMusic — Chris Stokes Biography and Music Credits | Jhené Aiko Biography
AllHipHop — Jhené Aiko Discusses Her Early Career and Chris Stokes’ TUG Camp
Billboard — Destiny’s Child Hot 100 Chart History
Footage Films — Official Chris Stokes Biography
Turnstr+ — Official Launch Announcement (Oct. 2026)
Tubi — Official Website
Don’t Quit (official trailer)
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