EMPOWERING ARTISTIC EXPRESSION THROUGH FILM

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) has an incredible 20 year legacy as the only African American arts facility located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. The organization focuses on exhibiting and celebrating art and expression from Black culture across the African diaspora.

From age-old classics to contemporary work, the Black Bottom Film Festival illuminates and celebrates African American cinema and uniqueness of Black people on film. The festival will showcase movies that converge on the recurring themes of spirituality, race, family conflict, honor, duty and the struggle of the working-class. These are themes ever-present in August Wilson’s The Pittsburgh Cycle plays. In particular, the festival will celebrate African American filmmaking pioneers of recent decades. The BBFF fosters an examination of how Black filmmakers use art to inspire, challenge, confront, and influence American culture.

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center believes that creativity is boundless. We invite you to share your creativity on film with us.

Awards & Prizes

Industry Luminary Award
Given to an artist or organization that has championed the rich history of the Black experience in film.

Juried Film Awards:
Best of Show – Short Film
Best of Show – Feature Film

Rules & Terms

Film Submission Rules, Terms & Conditions

For the purposes of our festival, short films can have a maximum runtime of 25 minutes.
Filmmakers are responsible for sorting out the copyright on their own materials. All films and projects submitted must be free from any legal disputes.
By submitting to us, you give us the right to screen your film in front of a live audience.
We may promote clips from your film on social media, based on the provided content.
We reserve the right to change the date and/or venue of the festival. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes via email.

We place no restrictions on your work in terms of premiere status or whether your work has previously been made available online. We do ask that any public viewing or free streaming access online of your project be taken down from moment of official selection & acceptance through the entire duration of festival (regardless of screening virtually and/or in-person) until the closing night of festival on April 16, 2023.
Any technical issues with submitted films are 100% the responsibility of the filmmaker. The programming team will reach out if there is concern your film will not pass QC by DCP standards.

We cannot provide refunds.
By submitting to us you agree to our terms and conditions. We reserve the right to update our terms and conditions.