Warm weather will be here before we know it and, with it comes outdoor festivities. Black Film Festivals are taking place all over the nation; here’s what you need to know.
Kicking off the season is the San Diego Black Film Festival. Initially planned for in-person festivities, because of the Omicron Variant, they’ve decided to go virtual. The virtual screenings begin January 27th and end January 29th. The most updated information about screenings and panel discussions can be found on their website.
Then, the Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) is in it’s 30th year of showcasing Pan African culture through film. Artists, from from all over the world, will gather in Los Angeles to promote Black stories and images through film, visual art, and other creative mediums. Additionally, the PAFF is an Oscar-qualifying festival for animation and live-action films. Originally scheduled to take place in February, organizers move the date to April 19th-May 1, 2022 to accommodate the recent rise in COVID cases. Actor Danny Glover will be this year’s ambassador.
Next, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) will celebrate its 26th anniversary with a new hybrid format this year. The ABFF is an annual event dedicated to recognizing Black talent. It is a place to showcase quality film and television content created by and about people of African descent. This year’s event will take place in Miami Beach, Florida, June 15th-19th.
Lastly, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) will turn 20 this year. Also known as “The Summer’s Finest Film Festival”, this year’s theme is The Color of Conversation. Dates for the turn up are August 5-13, 2022. They are still accepting submissions and the official schedule of events will be on the website in late June.
