The Fourth Annual Diamond State Black Film Festival (DSBFF) will highlight works created by and featuring People of Color. Additionally, it aims to inspire the next generation of filmmakers and showcase career opportunities in the film industry through a series of workshops, panel discussions and master classes.

The Diamond State Film Festival invites directors, producers, and screenwriters to submit their films for consideration.

Please contact organizers with any questions at DiamondStateBFF@gmail.com

Awards & Prizes

$500 Award to the Top Film in Each Category

- Documentary - Feature: Non-fiction submissions 40-120 minutes.

- Narrative - Feature: Dramatic and comedic submissions 40-120 minutes.

- Shorts - (Documentary and Narrative): Films up to 30 minutes any genre

- Diamond - Films with a Delaware resident(s) as writer, producer, and/or director.

- College: Films by a college student . Must provide copy of student ID with submission.

- Student - Film by a Delaware student(s) (Grades 6-12). Must provide copy of student ID with submission. NOTE: Category is open to ALL student filmmakers respective of race.

Rules & Terms

By entering the Diamond State Black Film Festival (DSBFF) you agree to follow its rules and guidelines. Eligibility requirements are final. There are no exceptions.

All entries will be viewed and given equal consideration.

Films must be by a writer, director, and/or producer who is a person of color (Black, African-American, Latino, Asian Native American, or Pacific Islander) AND/OR feature people of color in the cast/storyline EXCEPT the “Student” category.

The Student category is open to creatives of all ethnicities from Delaware.

Student filmmakers must submit proof of students’ status by uploading a current and valid Student ID upon submission on our FilmFreeway site or by emailing a photo to DiamondStateBFF@gmail.com with the film's title in the subject line. Student submissions without an accompanying ID may be disqualified at DSBFF’s sole discretion.

Diamond category entrants should note the Delaware resident(s) and their role in the production.

We consider films in any language from the United States. If your film is not in English, make sure it has English subtitles where necessary.

All entries must be submitted through DSBFF’s FilmFreeway link. All fees are nonrefundable.

Entering a submission to the festival is not a guarantee that your film will be screened at the festival.

Feature films should be at least 40 minutes and no more than 90 minutes in length.

Short films should be 30 minutes in length or less.

Student films can be no longer than 20 minutes.

All entries should have been completed after July 1, 2022.

Notification will be by Sept. 1, 2025

All entered films grant the Diamond State Black Film Festival a non-exclusive limited-use agreement to use selected portions of films chosen for competition and/or to use film promotional materials to promote the festival, including the rights to utilize any excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at DSBFF for promotional purposes and/or the festival website. Filmmakers retain all rights , title and interest in their films and all intellectual property.

DSBFF does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of materials. Please do not send us any original copies, master copies, or the only copy you have, etc.

By agreeing to these Terms and Conditions, you certify that you hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film and have read the regulations.

Dates and guidelines are subject to change without prior notice; please refer to the festival website for any adjustments.
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Pamela Davis-Noland

    This review is based upon my experience as both a filmmaker who has been officially selected & has attended a number of festivals with my short film, and as a former Peer Reviewer / Volunteer for a film festival that boasts 36 years, making it the largest running film festival in the South.

    The Diamond State Black Film Festival has room for growth. There was a definite lack of communication: slow and vague responses to email inquiries once we received the official selection email from Film Freeway;
    we missed the award ceremony due to an impromptu change in the schedule for the evening.

    As a filmmaker, my assessment would be that there was nothing to gain by attending. The festival seemed to be geared more toward the film goers vs. the filmmakers in my honest opinion. It would behoove the festival to invite professional filmmakers, directors, producers and the like to attend as mentors, etc. for the filmmakers.
    I wish that I could say that it was worth the 15 hour train ride + 4 hour drive there and back to attend. But that would not be an honest review.

    As a former Peer Reviewer / Volunteer for five years with the largest running festival in the South, I would say that the festival could use a group of filmmakers, directors and producers to advise on how to make the festival more worthwhile for the filmmakers as well as the attendees. As far as films chosen, the documentaries were interesting but very lengthy and ill-timed / scheduled adding a lull that was not needed. This may have contributed to the low attendance. Scheduling is very important and some improvement is needed in this area as well.

    I wish nothing but the best for the Diamond State Black Film Festival going forward and hope that this feedback helps.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We appreciate your insight, and your comments will be incorporated as we plan future festivals. We remain committed to celebrating the artists who participate in our event through talkbacks, cash prizes for category winners, and meaningful networking opportunities.
    While we regret that your experience did not meet expectations, we appreciate your willingness to help us improve.
    Best, The DSBFF Team

  • Eric Rice

    I greatly appreciated the opportunity and the exposure that DSBFF gave my film Together. I also appreciated the Q&A session that directly followed the screening. This was an excellent event to network and make contacts. And lastly, I would like to express my gratitude and honor for winning Best Feature Film.

    November 2025
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  • Brian Smith

    I had an amazing time at the Diamond State Black Film Festival. Had the opportunity to see some great films and meet some even more amazingly talented artists as well. Can’t wait to submit again.

    November 2025
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  • Lynette Jones

    This is a film festival that is in it's infancy stages. The organizers are very passion about black cinema. The festival was in a great location and some of the films were really good. If this festival keeps going it will be one of the best. Met some great people who are also passion about filmmaking.

    October 2024
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  • Safiya Songhai

    There was great promotion of the films in competition, and communication with the organizers. I had a wonderful time and I can't wait to return in the future.

    November 2023
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