Bermuda Black Film Festival Presents:
The Bermuda Black Film Weekend
'Connecting Voices Across the Diaspora'

The Bermuda Black Film Weekend is an international celebration of Black storytelling, culture, and creativity, bringing together filmmakers, actors, producers, writers, scholars, students, and audiences from across the African diaspora.

Held in the heart of the Black Atlantic, Bermuda occupies a unique place in the story of the African diaspora. Positioned at the colonial crossroads of Africa, the Caribbean, North America, and Europe, the Bermuda Black Film Weekend serves as a gathering place for filmmakers, creatives, and cultural leaders to explore identity, representation, heritage, and the enduring power of storytelling.

We welcome films that explore the diverse experiences, histories, cultures, and futures of Black communities around the world. Whether rooted in Africa, the Caribbean, North America, Latin America, Europe, or elsewhere in the diaspora, we seek stories that illuminate the connections, contrasts, and shared experiences that shape our global community.

The Bermuda Black Film Weekend is particularly interested in films that:
• Celebrate Black stories, history, culture, and lived experiences
• Explore themes of identity, heritage, migration, and belonging
• Highlight underrepresented perspectives and untold narratives
• Showcase exceptional storytelling and artistic excellence
• Feature authentic representations of Black communities
• Amplify the voices of Black women directors, producers, writers, cinematographers, and other creatives working behind the camera
• Spark dialogue, reflection, and cultural understanding

While the festival's focus is on Black stories and experiences, submissions are welcome from filmmakers of all backgrounds whose work contributes meaningfully to the understanding, representation, and celebration of the Black experience.

Selected films will be screened alongside a dynamic programme of conversations, workshops, networking opportunities, and special events featuring filmmakers, producers, actors, scholars, and cultural leaders from Bermuda, the Caribbean, Africa, the United States, and beyond.

A key component of the festival is its commitment to the next generation of storytellers. In partnership with GIFTED (Girls in Film, Technology, Entertainment & Design), the festival will host youth-focused programming designed to introduce young people to careers in film, media, and creative industries, while encouraging them to tell their own stories and share their own perspectives.

More than a film festival, the Bermuda Black Film Weekend is a space for connection, collaboration, and cultural exchange. It is an invitation to gather, share, learn, and celebrate the stories that shape our communities and connect us across the diaspora.
Join us as we build a new platform for storytelling across the Black Atlantic.

Bermuda Black Film Festival presents the Inaugural Bermuda Black Film Weekend
October 15–18, 2026
Bermuda
Theme:
Connecting Voices Across the Diaspora

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Prizes

The Bermuda Black Film Weekend celebrates outstanding storytelling, creativity, and cultural impact from across the African diaspora. Official Selections will be eligible for the following awards:

-Best Feature Film: Presented to the outstanding feature-length film of the festival.
-Best Short Film: Awarded to the most compelling short-form narrative or documentary film.
-Best Documentary: Recognizing excellence in documentary filmmaking and nonfiction storytelling.
-Best Bermudian Film: Presented to an exceptional film created by a Bermudian filmmaker or featuring a significant Bermudian connection.
-Audience Choice Award: Selected by festival audiences as their favorite film of the event.
-Black Atlantic Storytelling Award:The festival's signature award, recognizing a film that powerfully explores identity, culture, heritage, migration, resistance, memory, or connection across the African diaspora.
-Emerging Filmmaker Award: Presented to an outstanding new filmmaker demonstrating exceptional promise, creativity, and vision.

Prizes
Award winners will receive:
-Official Bermuda Black Film Weekend Award
-Official Festival Laurels
-Certificate of Recognition
-Featured promotion across festival and partner media platforms
-Industry recognition during the festival awards presentation
-Opportunities for future festival showcases, screenings, and collaborations

*Additional sponsored prizes, professional development opportunities, and industry partnerships may be announced as sponsorships and collaborations are confirmed.

Festival Signature Award
The Black Atlantic Storytelling Award is the festival's highest honor and reflects the Bermuda Black Film Weekend's mission of connecting voices across the diaspora through the power of film. Presented to the film that most powerfully embodies the spirit of the Black Atlantic, this award recognizes storytelling that bridges cultures, histories, and experiences across Africa, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the wider diaspora.

Festival Theme 2026: Connecting Voices Across the Diaspora
Dates: October 15–18, 2026
Location: Bermuda
Presented by: Bermuda Black Film Festival

Rules & Terms

Rules, Terms & Submission Requirements

Eligibility:
The Bermuda Black Film Weekend welcomes submissions from filmmakers worldwide.
We accept films in the following categories:
-Narrative Features
-Narrative Shorts
-Documentary Features
-Documentary Shorts
-Student Films
-Experimental Films
-Animation

While the festival focuses on Black stories, cultures, and experiences, submissions are welcome from filmmakers of all backgrounds whose work meaningfully contributes to the representation and understanding of the Black experience.

Completion Date:
Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.

Submission Requirements:
-All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway.
-Films not in English must include English subtitles.
-Multiple entries are permitted; each film requires a separate submission and fee.
-Work-in-progress submissions will not be considered.
-Entrants must hold all necessary rights, permissions, clearances, licenses, and releases for their submitted work.
-The submitter must be authorized to submit the film and grant screening rights on behalf of the production.

Exhibition & Screening Formats:
-Films submitted through FilmFreeway must be available for online screening by the festival programming team.
-If selected, filmmakers may be required to provide one of the following exhibition formats:
High-resolution MP4 file (preferred)
MOV file (ProRes 422 or equivalent)
H.264 encoded digital file
Secure downloadable file via Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, or similar service
Selected films should be submitted in a minimum resolution of 1920 x 1080 (1080p). Higher resolutions, including 2K and 4K, are welcome.

The filmmaker is responsible for ensuring that the screening file is complete, functional, and free of technical defects.

The Bermuda Black Film Weekend reserves the right to withdraw a selection if an acceptable exhibition file is not received by the requested deadline.

Selection Process:
-All submissions will be reviewed by the festival programming team and invited industry professionals.
-Selected filmmakers will be notified through FilmFreeway and/or email.
-The decisions of the festival selection committee and jury are final.

Screening Rights:
By submitting a film, the filmmaker grants the Bermuda Black Film Weekend a non-exclusive license to screen the film during the festival if selected.

Filmmakers retain full ownership and copyright of their work.

Promotional Materials:
If selected, filmmakers grant the festival permission to use the following materials for publicity and promotional purposes related to the festival:
Film trailer
Film stills
Posters
Press kits
Promotional images
Excerpts of up to 60 seconds from the submitted film

Selected Filmmaker Materials
Selected filmmakers may be required to provide:
-Film synopsis (short and long versions)
-Director biography
-Director headshot
-Production stills
-Film poster artwork
-Trailer (if available)
-Social media and website links

Awards Eligibility:
Official Selections will be eligible for festival awards and prizes as outlined in the Awards & Prizes section.

Student Films:
Student filmmakers may be required to provide proof of enrollment upon request.

Notification Date:
Selected films will be notified no later than September 1, 2026.

Submission Fees:
All submission fees are non-refundable.

Commitment to Respectful Storytelling:
The Bermuda Black Film Weekend is committed to creating a space for authentic storytelling, cultural exchange, and meaningful dialogue across the African diaspora.
We welcome diverse perspectives and encourage films that contribute to thoughtful conversations about identity, heritage, history, culture, creativity, social impact, and the shared experiences of Black communities around the world.

Agreement:
By submitting a film, the entrant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to all festival rules, terms, and submission requirements.
The Bermuda Black Film Weekend reserves the right to make final decisions regarding eligibility, programming, scheduling, awards, and exhibition requirements.

Recommended Category Runtime Guidelines:
-Feature Film: 60 minutes and over
-Short Film: Under 60 minutes
-Documentary Feature: 60 minutes and over
-Documentary Short: Under 60 minutes
-Student Film: Under 30 minutes
-Animation: Up to 60 min
-Experimental Film: Up to 60 min