DSS Black Wall Street International Film Festival is a social impact online film festival created to celebrate independent filmmakers, powerful storytelling, and creative voices from around the world.

Presented by DSS Productions, the festival highlights films that bring awareness to domestic violence, human trafficking, bullying, youth empowerment, faith, family, mental health, culture, and community healing.

Our mission is to provide filmmakers with a platform to be seen, heard, celebrated, and connected to real distribution opportunities.

The festival is proudly sponsored in part by Uplift TV, a free streaming platform dedicated to uplifting independent voices and meaningful entertainment. Selected festival films will receive special promotional placement opportunities through the Uplift TV platform, including a featured festival section showcasing official selections and award-winning films.

Award-winning projects and selected filmmakers may also receive distribution consideration and platform opportunities through DSS Productions’ industry relationships and affiliated distribution networks, including opportunities connected to Uplift TV, Chromata TV, Tubi, and Amazon Prime Video.

In addition to awards recognition and official laurels, the festival is designed to create real pathways for independent filmmakers to gain exposure, audience engagement, and future distribution potential.

The festival will feature online screenings, filmmaker spotlights, networking opportunities, audience participation, and future live event experiences.

We proudly support emerging filmmakers, independent creators, student filmmakers, and stories that inspire, educate, entertain, and uplift audiences worldwide.

Awards & Prizes

Awards include:

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Student Film
Best Social Impact Film
Audience Choice Award
Best Inspirational Film
Best Vertical Drama

Official Selections and Winners will receive digital laurels and official recognition from DSS Black Wall Street International Film Festival.

Selected award-winning projects may also receive promotional placement opportunities, distribution consideration, and streaming platform exposure through festival partners and affiliated distribution networks including Uplift TV and other industry distribution opportunities connected through DSS Productions.

Rules & Terms

Films must be submitted through FilmFreeway.

All genres are accepted.

Films must be the original work of the submitter or rights holder.

Projects that promote hate speech, racism, or excessive exploitation may be disqualified.

Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles.

Submission fees are non-refundable.

By submitting, filmmakers grant DSS Black Wall Street International Film Festival permission to use trailers, posters, stills, titles, and promotional materials for festival marketing purposes.

Selected films may be screened during the online festival event and future live festival experiences.

Selected projects may also receive promotional placement opportunities, streaming exposure, and distribution consideration through affiliated festival partners and distribution relationships.

Filmmakers retain all ownership rights to their projects.

DSS Black Wall Street International Film Festival reserves the right to update event details, categories, judges, and scheduling as needed.