For 14 years the Charlotte Black Film Festival (CBFF) will screen 100 films in-person and virtually. In addition to films this hybrid festival will produce Master classes, Workshops, Industry Networking, Fashion of Film Showcase, Actors Idol, PItchMe and the Red Carpet Vision Awards and more.

Our mission is to create economic empowerment for, heighten awareness of, promote the significance and need for African American cinema as an art form, and to be a voice for independent filmmakers of color.

This year’s festival itinerary includes four days of educational and empowering film screenings, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities. In addition, the CBFF’s prestigious Red Carpet “Vision Awards” will recognize the achievements of emerging actors, composers, screenwriters and directors.

Awards & Prizes

Trophies Awarded - Best of the Carolinas, Best Short, Best Feature, Best Black Women In Film, Best Documentary, Best Student Film, Best International Film. Audience Award, Best Director, Best Score, Best Actors, Best Animation and Best Art Film

Rules & Terms

Only films premiering at the Charlotte Black Film Festival as a Charlotte premiere will be permitted. meaning you cannot premiere your film at another festival in the Charlotte area prior to screening at our festival.

The winners of which are chosen by special juries will receive awards for the highest score in each of the following rating categories.

1) Originality / Creativity 2) Direction 3) Writing 4) Cinematography 5) Performances
6) Production Value 7) Pacing 8) Structure 9) Sound / Music.

All categories are eligible for the Audience Awards, which is chosen based on ballots
submitted by the festival audience. Street teams and promotional flyers
are encouraged to promote your film to attendees. Winners will be
announced during the Red Carpet “Vision Awards”.
75 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • MAYDECEMBER PRODUCTIONS, INC.

    Dear Tommy Nichols & CBFF Team,
    MAYDECEMBER PRODUCTIONS INC thanks you for shining your bright light on 𝓚𝓮𝓮𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓕𝓵𝓪𝓶𝓮, our 1st film effort.
    We were honored to have been chosen to screen with you and enjoyed being a part your innovative Facebook/Youtube announcement of selected films where our CoExecutive Producer/Lead Actress, Messeret Stroman Wheeler was pleased to represent us.
    Since we were unable to attend the festival, we had a dear friend who lives in the area attend to represent us and family in the nearby regions come to support.
    We were beyond thrilled to find out that we received CBFF 2024 Best of HBCU!!!
    Thank you for the recognition of our hard work. We are truly grateful.
    Congratulations on your continued successes.
    Cheers Mr Nichols & CBFF Team 🎉

    January 2025
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  • C Lockley

    The CBFF team communicated effectively, keeping us updated on deadlines, registration and the schedule. Overall, this was a good experience.

    October 2024
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  • Richard E Haywood

    I hope to go in person next year. Great festival. Lovely city.

    July 2024
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  • Jason Henderson

    This was an amazing festival that was highly involved with the city and the arts community. Mr and Mrs Nichols did an amazing job leading the staff in one my best experiences at a film festival. I will continue to share my collective work with CBFF as long as they officially select me. It is now on my calendar for every year to come.

    June 2024
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  • Kadine Watson-Thompson

    Our TV Series Saved, Sanctified, Single & Sexual was a nominee at the 14th year @ the Charlotte Black Film Festival. We travelled from London, UK to Charlotte , NC and had a phenomenal experience from start to finish, It was our first festival and we want to thank Mr Tommy Nichols and the entire team for the work to bring everything together including the Red carpet vision awards and other talks, and workshops,, which took place throughout the weekend. We will definitely be back next year. We also made some great connections also and very grateful for this. Well done to all involved.

    June 2024
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