By Neda Ulaby

A tiny independent movie has been picked by one of Hollywood’s biggest moguls to promote his latest venture. Robert L. Johnson created BET and now, the Urban Movie Channel — an online channel that’s being called the black Netflix.

The first original film it has acquired is a gay interracial romance set in the Deep South. In Blackbird, the main character Randy is in high school. Everyone thinks he’s gay, and they’re totally fine with it.

Randy, 18, is fervently religious. Even though his best friend is gay, Randy’s in denial about his own sexuality.

Director Patrik-Ian Polk says Blackbird is a movie he has wanted to make ever since he left Mississippi for college and found himself in the gay and lesbian section of a Boston bookstore.

Read More A Look At ‘Blackbird,’ The First Film On The New ‘Black Netflix’ : Code Switch : NPR.