Experience the dynamic evolution of cinema at the Fade To Black Arts Festival, where we celebrate the Past, Present, and Future of Film.

This festival will bring together emerging talents and seasoned filmmakers, showcasing the rich narratives, artistic innovation, and technical mastery that shape the film industry. From intimate short films to compelling full-length features, the Film division is a platform for African-American creatives to highlight their unique voices and perspectives through the lens of film.

Join us for an exciting film festival and awards ceremony that honors excellence in storytelling and technical craftsmanship. The event culminates in an awards ceremony inspired by the grandeur of festivals like the Academy Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in various categories judged by esteemed professionals in the film industry.

QUALIFICATIONS:

FULL-LENGTH FILMS:

Runtime: 40 minutes or more, but not exceeding 90 minutes.

Formats: Narrative, documentary, or experimental.

SHORT FILMS:

Runtime: 30 minutes or less.

Formats: Narrative, documentary, or poetic works.

SUBMISSION PRICING:

FULL-LENGTH FILMS:

Early Bird Submission: $60 (Dec. 5, 2024 – Feb. 15, 2025)
Regular Submission: $65 (Feb. 16, 2025 – Apr. 30, 2025)
Late Submission: $75 (May 1, 2025 – May 15, 2025)

SHORT FILMS:

Early Bird Submission: $45 (Dec. 5, 2024 – Feb. 15, 2025)
Regular Submission: $50 (Feb. 16, 2025 – Apr. 30, 2025)
Late Submission: $60 (May 1 – May 15, 2025)

AWARDS CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS:

The Fade To Black Arts Festival Film Division Award Ceremony will be a night to remember, with:

Red carpet arrivals.

Networking opportunities with industry professionals.

Presentation of awards to winners in each category.

Special keynote addresses and panel discussions by celebrated filmmakers.

This event promises to spotlight groundbreaking work, inspire future projects, and celebrate the thriving spirit of African-American creativity in the film industry.

Awards & Prizes

FILM FESTIVAL CATEGORIES:

BEST FULL-LENGTH PICTURE

BEST SHORT FILM PICTURE

BEST DIRECTOR (FULL-LENGTH PICTURE)

BEST DIRECTOR (SHORT FILM)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (FULL-LENGTH PICTURE)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (SHORT FILM)

BEST DOCUMENTARY (FULL-LENGTH)

BEST DOCUMENTARY (SHORT FILM)

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY

The primary filmmaker (director, writer, or producer) must be of African-American descent.

Films must adhere to the stated qualifications for runtime and format in their respective categories.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Submissions must be the original work of the applicant. Plagiarism or copyright infringement will result in disqualification.

Films must be submitted via the official submission platform, along with all required documentation.

FORMATS

Films must be submitted in standard digital formats (e.g., MP4, MOV) with a resolution of at least 1080p.

Subtitles are required for films with non-English dialogue.

FESTIVAL PARTICIPATION

Accepted films grant Fade To Black Arts Festival non-exclusive rights to screen the film during the event.

Filmmakers must confirm attendance at the awards ceremony and participate in any scheduled panels or Q&A sessions, if selected.

FEES AND DEADLINES

Submission fees are non-refundable.

Early Bird, Regular, and Late Submission pricing and deadlines must be adhered to as outlined.

PROMOTION AND RIGHTS

By submitting, the filmmaker agrees to allow Fade To Black Arts Festival to use clips, trailers, and promotional materials for marketing and publicity purposes.

Filmmakers retain all rights to their works.

JUDGING PROCESS

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of esteemed film industry professionals.

Judging will be based on originality, technical execution, storytelling, and overall impact.

AWARD ELIGIBILITY

Films must not have been publicly screened, distributed, or made available online prior to the festival dates, except for private screenings at other festivals.

LIABILITY

Fade To Black Arts Festival is not responsible for lost, damaged, or incomplete submissions.

Filmmakers are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions and licenses for copyrighted materials used in their films.

FINAL DECISIONS

The festival committee reserves the right to rule on cases not covered by these terms.

Decisions made by the judging panel are final and cannot be contested.