112 Black Film Festivals TO ATTEND IN 2024

Discover the vibrant world of Black cinema in 2024 with this curated list of film festivals. If you’re looking to submit, volunteer, or watch Black films this comprehensive list is your passport to a year filled with inspiring stories and dynamic cinematic experiences across the globe.

This list is based on film festivals that have published their event date. If you would like us to add a festival to this list please e-mail us at info@blackfilmspace.com

Curated by Antoinette Wade & Reggie Williams.

AFRICA

Inside Nollywood International Film Festival & Awards - Abuja, Nigeria - February 15th to 17th - Film Freeway

Through its annual awards ceremony and film festival, (INIFFAA) provides a vibrant space for filmmakers from around the world, particularly those of African descent, to showcase their talent and connect with industry professionals.

Represent International Documentary Film Festival - Lagos, Nigeria - March 21st to 24th - Film Freeway

(iREP) is conceptualized to create a platform of awareness and expression for aspiring and practicing filmmakers who are creating socially relevant documentary films to positively impact our world.

Beach House African Short Film Festival - Lagos, Nigeria - March 30th - Film Freeway

The Beach House African Short Film Festival is a celebration of the best of African cinema and culture. Their mission is two fold: first, to celebrate the work of contemporary filmmakers and shining a light on their impact post-independence; and second, to provide a platform that will help them grow and continue to create vital work.

Addis International Film Festival - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - May 15th to 19th

More than a film festival, (AIFF) is a beacon of inspiration, fostering dialogue, sparking debate, and building capacity through an immersive blend of films, visual arts, music, seminars, forums, and art exhibitions.

Africa Film for Impact Festival - Abuja, Nigeria - July 3rd to 5th - Film Freeway

(AFFIF) is dedicated to showcasing and empowering films and filmmakers committed to social change themes in movie production across Africa, and the world. The theme for the 2024 edition of the festival is “NEW NARRATIVES”, and is aimed at driving new narratives about Africa.

Durban International Film Festival - Durban, South Africa - July 18th to 28th - Film Freeway

(DIFF) is an Oscar qualifying festival with the Best Documentary and Best Short Films automatically qualifying for the Oscars race.

Mpumalanga International Film Festival - Hazyview, South Africa - August 2nd to 10th - Film Freeway

Mpumalanga International film festival is an annual event showcasing new independent films or recently produced films, high profile and undiscovered talent, established and upcoming filmmakers, student filmmakers, and films from around the world.

Accra Indie Filmfest - Accra, Ghana - July 29th to August 3rd - Film Freeway

AiFhase is the special spot for emerging filmmakers because the responsibility of changing the African stories on the face of the world lies in the hands of young filmmakers.

Black Star International Film Festival - Accra, Ghana - September 15th to 21st - Film Freeway

(BSIFF) was founded with the aim of creating a space for African cinema to be celebrated and recognized whilst elevating Black/African stories.

African Christian Movie/Music Award - Lagos, Nigeria - November 2nd - Film Freeway

The African Christian Movie/Music Award is a project conceived by Christian entertainment practitioners in Nollywood of various denomination, and it is designed to reward excellence, celebrate creativity and Christian values in movie industries in Africa.

Luanda International Pan-African Film Festival - Luanda, Angola - November 26th to 30th - Film Freeway

(LUANDA PAFF) aims to contribute to the development of the Angolan and African film industry by:
- Connecting the Angolan audience with the African cinema providing days of film screenings of national and African films in the capital city of Luanda;
- Creating a film market platform for national and African films;
- Organizing networking events that connect Angolan filmmakers with filmmakers from around the world through film branches, conferences, workshops, masterclasses, and training.

African Film Festival - Uganda - December 6th & 7th - Film Freeway

The African Film Festival focuses on films made by Africans, while also featuring works made by those in the African diaspora. Additionally, they are showcasing, for the first time ever, films shot in Kabale, Uganda – An exciting birth of local stories being told through the medium of film.

California

100 Films Retreat - Rancho Cucamonga - February 1st to 4th - Film Freeway

Especially aiming to secure for indie filmmakers and video content creators in each quarterly session a live & in-person WORLD PREMIERE and/or NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE screening of their work, Walker Entertainer Academy (WEA) strives to screen a single film or video from as many countries as possible.

The Pan African Film Festival - Los Angeles - February 6th to 19th - Film Freeway

(PAFF) is designated as an official qualifying film festival for narrative live action and animated short films for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

Crenshaw Dairy Mart Film Festival - Inglewood - February 17th - Film Freeway

As part of Black Futures Month, the Crenshaw Dairy Mart (CDM) will host its first one-day film festival at The Miracle Theater.

The Los Angeles Underground Railroad Film Festival - Los Angeles - March 1st to 3rd - Film Freeway

The Los Angeles Underground Railroad Film Festival, is a Films for the People Project by Black Lives Black Words, this groundbreaking event aimed at amplifying and honoring the visions, voices, lives, and narratives of individuals and communities from Africa and the African Diaspora.

Sacramento Pan African Film Festival - Sacramento - April 8th to 13th - Film Freeway

Hosted by The Africa House, Sacramento, in collaboration with the Center for African Peace & Conflict Resolution at California State University, Sacramento and Naija Films, the festival promises to offer films screenings, with networking opportunities with filmmakers from around the world.

San Francisco Black Film Festival - San Francisco - June 13th to 16th - Film Freeway

(SFBFF) believes film can lead to a better understanding of and communication between, peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while simultaneously serving as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.

Africa USA International Film Festival - Los Angeles - June 17th & 18th - Film Freeway

Africa USA international Film festival 2024 will be held in collaboration with SELECT LA CONFERENCE in partnership with The World Trade Center, hosted by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Haiti International Film Festival - Los Angeles - August 17th & 18th - Film Freeway

Founded in 2015 by Haitian American filmmaker Jacquil Constant, Haiti International Film Festival aims to showcase art and films from the Haitian Diaspora.

LA Black Film Festival - Los Angeles - September 19th to 22nd - Film Freeway

The LA Black Film Festival is a bi-annual film festival that celebrates independent Black filmmakers and seeks to elevate Black voices and stories in the film community. They will be accepting submissions from BLACK DIRECTORS, WRITERS, MAJORITY BLACK CREW (at least 50%) and/or BLACK CENTERED STORIES of ANY GENRE.

Black August Film Festival - Pasadena - August 17th & 18th - Film Freeway

Black August is an annual commemoration and prison-based holiday to remember Black freedom fights and political prisoners and to highlight Black resistance against racial oppression.

Canada

Toronto Black Film Festival - Toronto - February 14th to 19th - Film Freeway

Cool, international, independent, politically incorrect and eye-opening, the (TBFF) is about discovery.

Halifax Black Film Festival - Halifax - February 23rd to 26th - Film Freeway

The Halifax Black Film Festival was created to give a platform to independent filmmakers from around the world to showcase there work.

Ottawa Black Film Festival - Ottawa - March 23rd to 26th - Film Freeway

(OBFF)’s ambition is to encourage the development of the independent film industry and to promote more films on the reality of Black people from around the globe.

Calgary Black Film Festival - Calgary - May 24th to 27th - Film Freeway

The goal of the (CBFF) is to: promote independent author’s films from Canada and around the world, promote cultural and cinematographic diversity within Alberta, promote Black cinema and stimulate the development of quality cinema, discover and encourage new talent, encourage meetings between Black filmmakers and professionals working in the film industry from here and abroad, cultivate opportunities for North-South co-productions, encourage the development of the Black Film Industry here and abroad.

Hamilton Black Film Festival - Hamilton - May 24th to 29th - Film Freeway

Hamilton Black film festival is an annual event that will showcase Black, Indigenous and People of Colour films from Hamilton and across the globe giving the opportunity to Canadian audiences to experience the works of this explosion of talent.

Montreal International Black Film Festival - Montreal - September 25th to 30th - Film Freeway

Each year a trophy made by a local glass artist is given to best film in each categories including trophies for Humanitarian award, Career achievement award and Life Time achievement award. In the past celebrities like Harry Belafonte, Stedman Graham, Dany Glover, Spike Lee, Martin Luther King III were in Montreal to accept their award.

Vancouver International Black Film Festival - Vancouver - December 6th to 8th - Film Freeway

(VIBFF) was created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, a not-for-profit, professional, artistic organization dedicated to promoting Cinema, Art and Culture in Canada and abroad. The Fabienne Colas Foundation is also the creator of the very successful Montreal Black Film Festival, the Toronto Black Film Festival, the Halifax Black Film Festival, the Ottawa Black Film Festival, the Calgary Black Film Festival, as well as the several other successful Festivals in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil.

Carribean

12°N, 61°W Grenada Film Festival - Grenville, Grenada - October 24th to 27th - Film Freeway

They only accept films by Grenadians, Caribbean nationals, or filmmakers from the African diaspora community. Your film can be in any genre, including children's movies, LGBTQ films, music videos, and animation.

Curaçao International Film Festival - Willemstad, Curaçao - April 10th to 14th

Where the island is small and bounded by water, it is everything but limited in its offer of high-quality independent and innovative films from all over the world.

Bahamas International Film Festival - Nassau, Bahamas - November 1st to 5th - Film Freeway

Jeffrey Lyons, one of Hollywood’s best-known film critics and author of “The Stories My Father Told Me” has high praise for BIFF. He says, "The Bahamas International Film Festival is a shining light among a large field of film festivals; it has an astonishing intimacy about it. Young filmmakers, many of them talented Bahamians, get to rub shoulders with movie stars and established filmmakers; contacts they might otherwise not have. It is a celebration of international artistic achievement in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and a vital part of The Bahamas' standing as a creative Mecca for all."

D.C., Maryland and Virginia

Black History Film Festival - Washington, D.C. - February 9th to 11th - Film Freeway

Annual celebration of Black History, arts, and culture held in Atlanta and Washington, DC.

Virginia Black Film Festival - Hampton, Virginia - February 24th & 25th - Film Freeway

The festival features content from throughout the African Diaspora in multiple genre. The awards ceremony is celebrated live in an elaborate gala with food, live music, photo ops and red carpet interviews.

BGR! FILM FEST - Washington, D.C. - February 29th to March 3rd - Film Freeway

The BGR! FILM FEST, presented by the award-winning BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® brand, is a unique celebration of Black women filmmakers and narratives that honor the Black female experience.

Maryland Black Film Festival - Greenbelt, Maryland - March 9th & 10th - Film Freeway

This will be a two-day festival event with industry panel discussions with industry leaders—public theater and virtual screenings to accommodate out-of-state viewers.

DMVIFF - Washington, D.C. - April 6th & 7th - Film Freeway

Founded in 2009, by a Black female filmmaker that initially wanted to create a space for like-minded creatives to screen their projects and network, soon evolved into the DMV International Film Festival. (DMVIFF)'s mission is to sustainably develop, unite, discover and enrich the cinema talents in and of the DC, MD, VA, and Internationally.

The OLA Film Festival - Washington, D.C. - June 3rd - Film Freeway

The OLA Film Festival is a showcase and competition highlighting the work of amateur and student filmmakers across the country. The goal of the festival is to offer support to emerging artists by providing a platform to display their work to the public.

FILMTEENTH International Film festival - Bethesda, Maryland - June 18th & 19th - Film Freeway

They strive to showcase exciting, powerful films which not only entertain but reflect the contributions of people-of-color. It is also an annual STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts & Math) fundraising and tech networking event by Vector Scholar, a 501(3)c which provides technology career skills for underserved youth.

The LightReel Film Festival - Washington, D.C. - June 6th to 9th - Film Freeway

(LFF) serves a dual purpose, introducing new voices of persons of color in cinema as well as providing a cinematically organic space for existing filmmakers to explore new stories and themes.

Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival - Washington D.C. - July 26th to August 4th - Film Freeway

The script competition is open to television, film and stage genres; depicting summit related subject matter, i.e., whistleblowing, freedom of speech, civil rights, human rights and social justice.

DC Black Film Festival - Washington, D.C. - August 15th to 17th - Film Freeway

The (DCBFF) is dedicated to showcasing quality film, webseries and television content by and/or about people of African descent.

Baltimore International Black Film Festival - Baltimore - October 3rd to 7th - Film Freeway

With its unique paring of films by African Americans, the African Diaspora and members of the Same Gender Loving - Bisexual and Transgender (SGLBT) community, the Baltimore International Black Film Festival serves a dual purpose of providing a venue and platform for independent films created for, by and about African Americans, the African Diaspora and members the SGLBT community locally, nationally and globally.

HBCU First LOOK Film Festival & Tour - Washington, D.C. - November 8th to 10th - Film Freeway

The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival & Tour is an innovative annual HBCU initiative that focuses on Diversity and Inclusion opportunities that brings together HBCU student graduates with African American creators and leaders in film, TV and broadcast industries.

EUROPE

Rapport Festival - London, England - March 29th to 31st - Film Freeway

Rapport Festival is multidisciplinary. They embrace African diaspora visual artists, musicians, dancers, DJs, spoken word & live performance artists, filmmakers, theatre makers, innovative creatives, agitators and all round movers & shakers.

Afrika Filmfestival - Leuven, Belgium - April 19th to 30th - Film Freeway

Not only do they aim to promote and launch new voices and established authors, they also take part in organising an array of different activities that go beyond the confinements of film. Some of these activities entail: debates, book presentations, exhibitions, interactive film sessions, performances, fashion shows, etc…


Women Of The Lens Film Festival - London, England - April 30th - Film Freeway

This platform was created because the underrepresentation of Black women in the creative industries remains stubbornly low. They want to reveal the complexity, diversity and multiplicities of women, which is ordinarily overlooked in the conventional media-sphere.

NollywoodWeek Film Festival - Paris, France - May 2nd to 5th - Film Freeway

Considered the reference for Nigerian cinema and globally acclaimed for its curation, this festival has expanded beyond the borders of Nigeria to include high quality, thought provoking, and entertaining productions from other countries in Africa and the African Diaspora.

The Windrush Caribbean Film Festival - England - June 1st to 30th - Film Freeway

(WCFF) aims to engage and educate audiences in cinemas and art venues across the UK about the contributions of the Windrush generation and its impact on the country through screenings, talkbacks and micro-cinema challenge that will take place in cinemas, schools and community centres across the country.

Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Webseries Showcase - Cannes, France - May 17th to 22th - Film Freeway

Created to encourage underrepresented content creators from unique backgrounds telling stories specific to marginalized populations to share their work before a global audience during the Cannes Film Festival.

Festival de Cine Africano - Seville, Spain - May 24th to June 1st

The (FCAT), organized by the non-profit association Al Tarab, focuses its efforts on promotion and dissemination of cinematography from the African continent in Spain and Latin America, hoping with this to help better understanding between peoples and make a contribution positive to the development of African culture and the film industry, offering a space for meeting for professionals in the audiovisual industry and promoting the distribution of their works in the entire Spanish territory.

The (FCAT) is committed to promoting the visibility of films made by women, reserving a minimum quota of 25% of its programming for works directed by women filmmakers.

African Diaspora Cinema Festival - Florence, Italy - June 26th to 29th - Film Freeway

(ADCF) yearly hosts some of the most vibrant film directors, actors, musicians stylist and runways by fashion mentors. It also presents inspiring and informative panels and workshops featuring top industry professionals and showcases rare cinematic gems followed by filmmaker Q&A.

Afrika Film Festival - Cologne, Germany - September 19th to 29th - Film Freeway

FilmInitiativ Köln e.V. was founded in 1988. When it was founded, the association set itself the goal of "arousing interest in the art of film and initiating political discussions through film cycles, lectures and seminars". The aim was "above all to provide a platform for films that are not shown in commercial cinemas. For example, films related to history, or cultural programmes documenting the work of non-European filmmakers.

London International Pan-African Film Festival - London, England - October 3rd to 12th - Film Freeway

London International Pan-African Film Festival (London PAFF) is an annual film event in the city of London that celebrates Pan-African cinema and screens films produced in Africa and its diaspora from all over the world; founded by Ne Kunda Nlaba, Film Producer, Director, Screenwriter, Political Scientist, and Film Professor of Kongo Bizizi Academy, the Pan African Film Institute.

British Urban Film Festival - England - October 12th to 18th - Film Freeway

(BUFF) is the longest standing Black-owned film festival in the United Kingdom. Founded by Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe MBE, filmmakers that have exhibited at their festival are now household names.

Africlap Film Festival - Toulouse, France - November 7th to 16th - Film Freeway

Each year, Africlap invites the public to two major events that it organizes to celebrate the dynamism and cultural richness of the world, the encounter of cultural otherness and in this case those of Africa. In August the Village ‘Des Arts Africains’, in November Africlap Film Festival also called ‘Festival des Cinémas d'Afrique de Toulouse’.

FLORIDA

Divergent Film Festival - Maitland - February 18th - Film Freeway

Through this platform, the festival aims to highlight the unique perspectives and contributions of neurodivergent and BIPOC communities in the film industry, providing an inclusive space for their voices to be heard and celebrated.

Black Arts and Film Festival - St. Petersburg - February 22nd to 25th - Film Freeway

Beautiful, year-round warm weather, pristine waterfronts that canvas its downtown scenery, real beaches that look just like the postcards, restaurants, and shops that make it the perfect to host this festival experience.

Afrofuturism Film Festival - Jacksonville - February 23rd to 25th - Film Freeway

Their festival is here to support and facilitate Afrofuturism while also supporting advancing technology such as artificial intelligence (A.I), digital currency, and non fungible tokens (NFTs) and how those advances affect the business of filmmaking as well as the art.

Khem Animation Film Festival - Miami - April 27th & 28th - Film Freeway

The (KAFF) is an independent event putting together an international competition of talented filmmakers and groundbreaking stories, from traditional hand drawing to the new century techniques of design.

American Black Film Festival - Miami - June 11th to 16th - Film Freeway

Now in its 28th year, (ABFF) is an annual event that empowers Black artists and showcases a wide range of entertainment content made by and about people of African descent. An experience like no other, the festival brings together Black culture enthusiasts, executives and content creators from around the world for five days of screenings, talk events, exclusive parties and high-powered networking.

Urban Film Festival - Miami - August 30 – September 1st - Film Freeway

(UFF) is one of the largest international gatherings of Urban film industry experts, sharpening skills of young filmmakers, allowing them to showcase their masterpieces.

Georgia

Black History Film Festival - Atlanta - February 23rd & 24th - Film Freeway

Annual celebration of Black History, arts, and culture held in Atlanta and Washington, DC.

Black Women Film Network (Short Film Competition) - Atlanta - March 23rd & 24th - Film Freeway

Established in 1997, the (BWFN) was founded to prepare black women to enter the film and television industries. The organization seeks to preserve the voice of these women through film and educational programs that empower and inform.

MODEx XR, TV and Film Festival - Atlanta - April 17th to 20th - Film Freeway

The MODEx XR, TV and Film Festival is an immersive festival experience – combining our love of film, TV, and virtual programming to celebrate the visual arts and create an incredible experience for filmmakers around the globe.

Black Writers Weekend Festival - Atlanta - August 1st to 4th - Film Freeway

The 2024 festival will feature three BIG events in one weekend; Cre8tiveCon, Lit Crawl, and the AAMBC Literary Awards. It will also feature social gatherings, live artists’ conversations, a mass book signing with dozens of writers, film screenings, masterclasses, a pitch fest, VIP lounges and activation, as well as a street festival featuring vendors, music, food, and more.

Khaeem Entertainment Masquerade Film Awards & Honors - Atlanta - October 26th - Film Freeway

The Kehah Awards- Kaheem Entertainment Masquerade Film Awards & Honors recognizes African American filmmakers, Actors, Actresses, Producers, Music Composers and Directors.

ILLINOIS

The Black Film Summit - Naperville - March 20th to 23rd - Film Freeway

The Black Film Summit is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for filmmakers across the Pan African diaspora to gather, be heard, and have their work showcased.

Tylerman International Social Awareness Film Festival - Wheaton - June 22th & 23rd - Film Freeway

The Tylerman International Film Festival hosted by Cantigny Park seeks to grow an environment of legacy that affords filmmakers the opportunity to be credited for their art with critique, prizes, and networking opportunity. Selections and winners of the festival will have the option of showcasing content on TYLERMAN TV.

The Black Harvest Film Festival - Chicago - August 1st to 31st - Film Freeway

The Festival, held at the Gene Siskel Film Center, curates both short and feature length films, proudly presenting influential auteurs and emerging filmmakers of color side by side.

Black Alphabet Film Festival - Chicago - October 11th to 13th - Film Freeway

Their mission is to promote social equity awareness and education in all aspects of life for the Black LGBT+ community through the use of media and the creative arts.

INDIANA

Indianapolis Black Documentary Film Festival - Indianapolis - August 23th to 25th - Film Freeway

Their dynamic group of collaborators is committed to fostering an appreciation for documentary films by maintaining a platform for filmmakers to share their work as catalysts for meaningful dialogue.

Gary International Black Film Festival - Gary - Film Freeway

The (GIBFF) uses film as a catalyst for stimulating cultural activity to enhance the ‘cultural capital’ of their hometown of Gary, IN by celebrating Black culture through independent film and discussion.

IOWA

'Pulling Focus' Film Festival of The Black Diaspora for National Independent Filmmakers - Davenport - June 6th to 9th - Film Freeway

The Pulling Focus Film Festival creates an appreciation for Black culture and the Black experience while creating empathy and understanding for each other and helping make our community a better place.

Louisana

ESSENCE Film Festival - New Orleans - July 4th to 7th - Film Freeway

(EFF) in collaboration with Essence Studios, showcases exceptional original projects in film, television, music, and new media created by Black storytellers across the African diaspora.

Black Film Festival of New Orleans - New Orleans - August 16th to 25th - Film Freeway

In addition to their amazing film screenings they have exciting concerts, poetry and comedy events for our visitors and audience, as well as African American themed city tours, parties, food, spirits and lots of engagement for their filmmakers.

MICHIGAN

Idlewild International Film Festival - Idlewild - July 12th & 13th - Film Freeway

Celebrating the historic community of Idlewild, once called the “Black Eden of Michigan”, is known for it's beautiful beaches, glistening lakes, and native wildlife.

Detroit Black Film Festival - Detroit - September 26th to 29th - Film Freeway

From thought-provoking documentaries to captivating narratives, this year's festival promises to showcase a wide range of compelling stories that highlight black experiences.

MINNESOTA

Twin Cities Black Film Festival - Minneapolis - October 10th to 14th - Film Freeway

(TCBFF) also aims to facilitate the growth of filmmakers of color by providing networking opportunities with industry professionals and the business world and recognize the accomplishments of African-Americans in Hollywood.

NEVADA

Las Vegas Black Film Festival - Las Vegas - April 18th to 21st - Film Freeway

Taking place in fabulous Las Vegas known as the Entertainment Capital of the World.... the event is set to host more than 2000 eager moviegoers, filmmakers and entertainment professionals seeking rising stars.

New EnglanD

Rhode Island Black Film Festival - Providence, Rhode Island - April 4th to 7th - Film Freeway

Black culture enthusiasts and content creators from around the world gather for four days of feature, short screenings, talk events, parties and networking.

Roxbury International Film Festival - Boston, Massachusetts - June 20th to 28th - Film Freeway

(ROXFILM) is the largest festival in New England dedicated to celebrating the work of filmmakers creating films celebrating people of color. ROXFILM showcases feature-length films, documentaries, shorts and animation.

Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival - Vineyard Havens, Massachusetts - August 2nd to 10th - Film Freeway

The Academy accredited Run&Shoot Filmworks Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival also known as "The Summer's Finest Film Festival" is now entering its 22nd year on Martha's Vineyard.

Afro Latino Film Festival - Waterbury, Connecticut - October 3rd to 13th - Film Freeway

All filmmakers are welcome to submit regardless of your cultural background, they are looking for films that call out and highlight social justice issues of the day that happen to include Puerto Rican / Afro Caribbean communities at the forefront of your work.

New York/New JERSEY

Syracuse International Film Festival - Syracuse, NY - February 3rd - Film Freeway

(SIFF) recognizes that our mission to engage, entertain, inform and inspire the CNY community through film and media programs is inseparable from our commitment to cultivate spaces that champion diversity, equity, and intersectional belonging.

Kuumba Film & Arts Festival - Schenectady, NY - February 16th & 17th - Film Freeway

Kuumba celebrates Black artists and showcases content made by and about people of African descent. Kuumba, which is Swahili, celebrates creativity. Kuumba means being creative within the context of the national community vocation of restoring our people to their traditional greatness and leaving our community better than we found it.

Queens Underground International Film Festival - Queens, NY - April 19th & 20th - Film Freeway

The Mission Of Queens Center Of The Arts is to promote all of the arts, especially, non-typical arts and to promote those artists, filmmakers, designers, authors, chefs, bakers, entrepreneurs, poets, and organizations who create works of art and/or support creatives. 

The People's Film Festival - New York City - May 30th to June 1st - Film Freeway

(TPFF) has had some remarkable success stories, with many films screened at our festival ultimately being featured at other prestigious media outlets and venues such as HBO, Netflix, FOST, PBS – Public Broadcasting Service, Revolt TV, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives.

Newark Black Film Festival - Newark, NJ - July 9th to 14th - Film Freeway

Since 1974, (NBFF) has presented the work of young, independent, Black filmmakers, showcasing early films by the likes of Spike Lee, Ayoka Chenzira, Warrington and Reginald Hudlin, Barry Jenkins, and Ava DuVernay.

Urbanworld - New York City - November 6th to 10th - Film Freeway

The Urbanworld Film Festival, founded in 1997 by Stacy Spikes, is one of the largest internationally competitive festivals of its kind. Since inception, Hollywood studios, indie film distributors, and established and emerging filmmakers have consistently chosen Urbanworld to premiere box office and award-winning hits.

NORTH CAROLINA

Greensboro Dance Film Festival - Greensboro - February 24th - Film Freeway

The festival, the first of its kind to reside in Greensboro, North Carolina, is in its seventh year and features dance films from around the world in both student and professional categories.

Hayti Heritage Film Festival - Durham - March 7th to 9th - Film Freeway

(HHFF) is one of the nation's longest-running Black film festivals and features screenings of documentaries, short and feature-length films including U.S. premieres.

Charlotte Black Film Festival - Charlotte - June 13th to 16th - Film Freeway

Their mission is to create economic empowerment for, heighten awareness of, promote the significance and need for African American cinema as an art form, and to be a voice for independent filmmakers of color.

North Carolina Black Film Festival - Wilmington - May 16th to 19th - Film Freeway

They pride themselves in the Carolina Hospitality and great previous honorees and winners such as Anthony Hemingway, Ava DuVernay, Giancarlo Esposito, the late Dwayne McDuffie, Scott Sanders and more.

OHIO

Dayton Black Womens Film Festival - Dayton - May 16th - Film Freeway

The festival aims to strengthen the community and create opportunities for collaboration among Black female filmmakers in Dayton and nearby regions. The ultimate goal is to ensure that there is always a place for Black female filmmakers to be celebrated, acknowledged, and welcomed in the film industry.

Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival - Cleveland - September 19th to 29th - Film Freeway

(GCUFF) believes that films can lead to a better understanding and communication between, people of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles while simultaneously serving as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.

OKLAHOMA

The Oklahoma Black Film Festival - Oklahoma City - February 16th to 18th - Film Freeway

(OBMF) isn't just about movies; it's an immersive experience. Join them for captivating workshops, eye-opening tours through the historic Black Wall Street, and a moving walk through the Tulsa Massacre Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Greenwood Film Festival - Tulsa - August 4th to 9th - Film Freeway

Based in the home of Black Wall Street, the festival mission is to equip the next generation of storytellers, while addressing the spiritual root that was the catalyst for the 1921 Tulsa massacre.

OREGON

Cascade Festival of African Films - Portland - February 2nd to March 2nd - Film Freeway

As a primarily non-competitive festival, they aim to feature creators from diverse perspectives with stories from across the continent and its diaspora, while celebrating the power and impact of storytelling with the community and beyond.

Pennsylvania

The Film Collective Short Film Festival - Bensalem - March 1st to 4th - Film Freeway

They accept films, in any and all genres including Narrative, Documentary, Horror, Experimental, Avant-Garde, Animation, Religious/Spiritual, Gay/Lesbian, Web Series and Disabled filmmakers..

BlackStar Film Festival - Philadelphia - August 1st to 4th - Film Freeway

The BlackStar Film Festival is an Academy Award and BAFTA qualifying annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the African diaspora and of global Indigenous communities, showcasing films by Black, Brown and Indigenous artists from around the world.

SOUTH AMERICA

AfroCine - Popayán, Colombia - May 13th to 24th - Film Freeway

AfroCine is a film exhibition that allows us to share the perspective, the place, the stories, the paths of the Afro world in the world and its contribution to the development of today's world.

International African Film Festival in Argentina 2024 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - August 1st to 17th - Film Freeway

Starting in 2007, Observatorio Sur undertook the “Mirrors and Mirages” International Film Series on and from the African continent. In each edition they have selected films based on different subjects to show and debate on history and actuality in the African world.

Quibdó Africa Film Festival - Quibdo, Colombia - September 14th to 18th - Film Freeway

This festival is more than just a series of film screenings – it's a comprehensive cultural experience featuring workshops, conferences, and artistic exhibitions. It's an odyssey that traverses the realms of the unknown, journeying through time – from past to present and into the future.

TeNNESSEE

International Black Film Festival - Nashville - October 2nd to 6th - Film Freeway

A pioneer in the film festival arena, (IBFF) is the only African-American established and inspired film festival in the state of Tennessee.

Texas

Denton Black Film Festival - Denton - January 24th to February 5th - Film Freeway

(DBFF) is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Black culture with film at its heart and spotlights on other forms of storytelling, like spoken word, art, music, comedy, and dance. They also highlight social justice issues through films and panel discussions.

BIPOC Pop Animation Festival - Austin - March 7th to 9th - Film Freeway

BIPOC Pop brings together creatives, scholars, and industry leaders of color in the comics, gaming, animation, and multimedia arts to focus on strengthening community through the sharing of cutting-edge, creative, critical knowledge-making in the graphic storytelling arts.

The African Film Festival - Dallas - June 20th to 23rd - Film Freeway

(TAFF) celebrates films and arts that either promote African culture; address issues affecting Africa and people of African descent; or explore African landmarks and historic leaders.

National Black Film Festival - Houston - August 28th to 31st - Film Freeway

A primary goal of the (NBFF) is to stimulate the production of more high quality films in the Houston metropolitan area-mapping the city as a major cinematic outlet.

Black Indie Filmmakers Association Houston Film Festival - Houston - October 3rd to 6th - Film Freeway

This festival, established in Houston, one of the largest and fastest growing cities in America and home to an incredible indie film community, a city that like most other cities throughout the country, has a deep love for Indie films. (BIFA) provides a platform not only just for Black filmmakers and people of color, but for all people with diverse backgrounds.

San Antonio Black International Film Festival - San Antonio - October 4th to 6th - Film Freeway

(SABIFF) 2024 festival dates will run for 3-days, both virtually and physically in the “Alamo City”, with curated content themed around a range of vigorous cinema to uplift and nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits.

WASHINGTON

Seattle Black Film Festival - Seattle - April 24th to 28th - Film Freeway

Housed at the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, the festival features film screenings, hands-on workshops, panel discussions, and in-depth chats with filmmakers, industry professionals and local community leaders.