Black Arts and Film Festival is now in it's 5th year is excited to bring 5 days of festivities surrounding the independent arts and culture community.

The city of St. Petersburg is the oasis and home of this unique festival. 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. Attendees will be enthralled with what this festival has to offer from our Virtual and Socially Distant Networking Mixers at some of the premier downtown hotspots, To our (DIY) Do it Yourself Workshops and Panel Discussions that are designed to help enhance the creative works of Black and African-American filmmakers both near and far, conducted by top professionals in the Bay Area just to name of few things happening over the course of this magical week/weekend.

Films submitted are screened by our panel of expert judges and carefully selected to be presented on the big screen at Highly respected historic screening venues in the city.

Visit our website to see more specific event information on what this exciting festival has to offer that celebrates the dreamers, visionaries, and creative storytellers from around the Tampa Bay Area and Beyond.

Awards & Prizes

SCFF Categories for Prizes:
Best Documentary
Best Indie Short
Best Feature
Best Web Series
Best Horror
Best Music Video
Best Female Actor
Best Male Actor
Best Director
Audience Choice:

The BAFF Committee looks forward to seeing the wide array of Black indie films submitted to this years festival.

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms:
Feature Length Films: Minimum 40 - 90Mins
Student Shorts: 2- 15mins
Independent Short Films: 6 - 30Mins
Animation: 2 - 10mins
Documentaries: 5 - 35mins
Web Series: Up to 3 Episodes 6 - 30Mins each Episode
Music Videos: No longer than 5Mins
Music Singles/Instrumentals: No longer than 4:45Mins

We accept films and music in the above stated categories in any genre. We do not have a premiere restriction, but do let us know if this is a national, regional, or international premiere. All films must be in English or subtitled in English. All films must be original work and clear of hindrances that would interfere with showing at our festival. We welcome foreign films of any genre. We reserve the right to adjust or amend award categories dependent upon submissions. Cash or in-kind awards may be added. Except where specifically offered, travel, lodging, and expenses will be incurred by the filmmaker. If your film is accepted, you grant BAFF permission to use the film for marketing purposes. You also may be required to have your film, if selected, converted into a DCP format if selected to screen inside of the AMC movie theater. You will receive a direct message from us if this is the case. Waivers may be granted on a special needs basis. Please contact us for more info on waiver codes for late submissions beyond Dec 20, 2020.

With your submission please make sure it includes:
-The director’s name
-The film title
-A short (50-words or less) description of the film
-Cover Art for your movie for display on our website, and marketing materials if selected.
-With your Music Submission please make sure it includes: Artist Name, Producers Name, Writers Name, and Where it was recorded. Please submit in MP3 File Format.
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Victoria L. White

    Extremely proud to have my documentary chosen as a selection for the 2023 festival. Thank you Black Art & Film Festival!!

    March 2023
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  • Jimmie Thomas

    The Black & Art Film Festival was a great time meeting other filmmakers and from across the U.S. .I'm from Florida but never visited St. Pete. The host of the festival gave a tour that enlightened us on the rich history of St. Pete and the chitterling circuit which we hope to recreate for filmmakers of color. St. Pete is a hidden gem and I look forward to attending the festival for years to come as it grows.

    March 2023
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  • Obadiah Baker

    An amazing film festival! Thank you for screening our film, The Shadow Between Us.

    March 2023
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  • gian smith

    I won the award for best narrative at this festival. The most disappointing thing about that was I wasn't there to enjoy the win or receive the award because no one responded to four of my emails to give me any details about the event.

    Only after my status was changed to award winner did I get an email response which was poorly written and unprofessional (one of the E's was replaced with a 3, among other grammatical issues) But no follow up on how and when I would receive my award. Pretty much a grand waste of money for me.

    May 2022
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  • Carl Lee

    Had a great experience with Black Art & Film Festival.Grateful for the opportunity to show my film at their event, and their coomunication was very smooth throughout the process!

    March 2022
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