Black Harvest Film Festival

Celebrating its 29th year in 2023, The Black Harvest Film Festival is Chicago’s annual showcase for films that celebrate, explore and share the Black, African American and African Diaspora experience. 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.

The Black Harvest Film Festival invites Black, African American and African Diaspora identifying directors, producers and screenwriters to submit their work for consideration at this year's Festival.

The 29th Black Harvest Film Festival will be held in person at the Gene Siskel Film Center November 3-16, 2023.

Please contact Gene Siskel Film Center Director of Programming Rebecca Fons at rfons@saic.edu with questions.

Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Black Harvest Film Festival Prize - Best Feature
Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Black Harvest Film Festival Prize - Best Short

Feature-length films (any length 45 minutes or longer) and shorts (up to 45 minutes in length or shorter) are eligible for consideration.

All entries must include a screener link, a completed entry form, and a press kit or credit list.

Year of completion must be 2021 or later.

Film must be Chicago premieres. Films that have had public Chicago or suburban screenings prior to the Festival are generally ineligible for consideration. Please let us know with your submission if your film has or will play elsewhere in Chicago before November 2023. Films that are otherwise available online/virtually are ineligible for consideration.

Films not in English must be submitted with English subtitles.

Only films directed, co-directed, produced and/or written by Black, African American or African Diaspora identifying filmmakers are eligible for consideration.

Entries selected for the festival must be available for public exhibition in one of the following formats: DCP or Apple ProRes formatted digital file. DVD and Blu-ray discs will not be accepted for theatrical projection.

All legal clearances including, but not limited to, talent, music, or stock footage are the responsibility of the filmmaker.

The Gene Siskel Film Center reserves the right to utilize clips or stills from any film selected for the festival for publicity purposes.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Akilah Walker

Black Harvest was a fantastic festival! They were so accommodating and the Gene Siskel Film Center was a dream to screen at! All of the filmmakers they invited there were lovely and the quality of the films were awesome! Highly recommend!

December 2022

Helpful
laila Petrone

Even though we could not attend, the communication and attention was wonderful. and we hope to continue our relationship with the festival.

November 2016

Helpful

Response from festival:

Hi Laila,
Thanks for your kind comment. Hope to meet you another time with a new production.
Best, Barbara
Bobby Brown

One of the most professional festivals I've attended. I will definitely attend next year even though I will not have a film to submit. Top quality staff, hospitality and terrific schedule of programing.

September 2016

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thanks, Bobby! Your film was one of the highlights of this year's festival. We're thrilled to be bringing it back for more screenings in October.
Best,
Barbara
D. Mitry

Thank you for the fantastic event!

September 2016

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you, Dmitry. It was a privilege to include your film.
Best,
Barbara
saquan jones

This festival was 5 stars in every single way!!! From the assistance with display of the movie to the communication and hospitality of the festival to the promotion of the screening to the actual venue (Gene Siskel Theater) this festival was A+++++. I will forever submit to this festival and encourage everyone else to do the same!!!

September 2016

Helpful

Response from festival:

Hi Saquan,
We were thrilled to premiere your film in Chicago. Keep up the good work!
Best,
Barbara