The 16th Annual Charlotte Black Film Festival: Elevating Voices, Empowering Visionaries

Now entering its 16th year, the Charlotte Black Film Festival (CBFF) stands as a premier cultural cornerstone in the Southeast, dedicated to honoring excellence in African American cinema. Our mission is to provide a powerful platform for Black filmmakers and content creators to showcase their work, celebrate their culture, and reclaim their narratives.

Since its inception in 2010 by founder Tommy Nichols, the CBFF has evolved into a dynamic four-day immersive experience. We don’t just screen films; we build careers. Through our "Vision Awards," high-impact workshops, and the newly launched Micro Film Grant program supported by the City of Charlotte, we bridge the gap between art, technology, and economic sustainability.

Why Submit to CBFF?

Legacy & Prestige: Join a 15-year tradition of excellence that has hosted industry icons like Keith David and Darrin Henson.

Industry Connection: Our jury consists of seasoned professionals, and our networking mixers connect you directly with producers, distributors, and fellow creatives.

Community Impact: We focus on the "Broad and Deep" stories of our community, ensuring that independent voices of color are heard and celebrated.

From narrative features to cutting-edge AI animation and student works, the CBFF is where the next generation of storytellers finds their home

Awards & Prizes

3. Awards & Prizes

The Charlotte Black Film Festival celebrates creativity, impact, and innovation through two distinct award tiers:

The Red Carpet Vision Awards
Presented during our "Bowties & Sneakers" Gala, these prestigious honors recognize individual mastery in the craft:

Best Director

Best Actor & Best Actress

Best Composer

Trailblazer Award (Honoring career-long contributions to Black cinema)

Category Excellence Awards
Jury-selected winners in each of the following competition categories:

Best Narrative Feature

Best Short Film (Narrative, Comedy, or Drama)

Best Documentary (Feature & Short)

Best Animated/AI Film

Best Web Series/TV Pilot

Best Student Film

"My Beat, Your Movie" (music you think would be good for a film, TV, or reality show))

Audience Choice Awards
Every Official Selection is eligible for the Audience Choice Award, determined by live ballots from our festival attendees. We encourage all filmmakers to engage with their audience and promote their screenings!

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms:

Please review the following guidelines carefully before submitting your project:

Charlotte Premiere Requirement: To maintain the exclusivity of our program, all films must be a "Charlotte Premiere." The project may not have been screened at any other film festival or public event within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area prior to the CBFF dates.

Eligibility: We welcome submissions from filmmakers of African descent and those telling stories relevant to the African Diaspora.

Completion Date: Films must have been completed at least 24 months prior to the submission opening date.

Language: All non-English language films must have English subtitles.

Submission Format: All entries must be submitted digitally via FilmFreeway. We do not accept physical DVDs or Blu-rays for initial judging.

Judging Process: Submissions are reviewed and scored by a panel of industry professionals. All decisions made by the Jury and Festival Directors are final.

Marketing & Promotion: By submitting, filmmakers grant CBFF the right to use snippets (up to 2 minutes) and promotional stills for festival marketing, social media, and press purposes.

Technical Requirements: If selected, filmmakers must provide a high-quality DCP by the specified deadline. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
91 Reviews
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  • BRACE EVANS

    grateful to be a part of the CBFF! i was grateful to be able to use public transportation from the airport to the hosting hotel that was steps away from the theater where the films were screened. it was a joy be a part of the festival.

    September 2025
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  • Ashley Obinwanne

    I enjoyed attending this festival. I met several filmmakers that I am still in touch with, months later.

    I also appreciate the fact that the host hotel was walking distance from the theater. It was convenient and created a real community feel because I got to know people better as we walked back and forth between venues over the course of the weekend.

    September 2025
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  • Brandon Wilkerson

    This is actually the first time I’ve had to leave a negative review. I’m glad I didn’t waste time or money attending this event. I was nominated for “Best HBCU” film but when the awards were announced my category wasn’t listed at all. I tried contacting the festival runner a number of times through social media & email but never got a response. I’ve never seen a category be completely omitted at the last minute like that before.

    July 2025
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    Response from festival:

    So you didn't attend, never experienced the festival, but gave us a 1 out of 5? Your category wasn't screened in person; therefore wasn't announced at the awards, but on the IOCTV streaming platform. We made every effort to promote and empower black stories. So your category wasn't omitted, it was on our streaming platform. Brandon, those announcements will be on Sunday, July 20, 2025. at 6 pm.

  • Arnold Cifax Jr.

    This was such a good festival. I especially loved all the opportunities they provided to support. I'll definitely be entering again.

    July 2025
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  • Eurydice Stanley

    We were very proud that "Chasing Harriet" was selected for the 2025 Charlotte Black Film Festival. Thank you!

    June 2025
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