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. 15, 2025)
Late Submission: $75 (April 16, 2025 – May 15, 2025)

SHORT FILMS:

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

AWARDS CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS: June 14, 2025 | MATCH Houston

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.

After Party

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.
5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jamye "Dear Jamye" Clark

    Such an amazing event!!! I am super proud of Denise, and the ENTIRE FTB crew. I can not wait for the next one.

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank so much!!!

  • Vincent Victoria

    Historic event. Well organized. Something for everyone.

    June 2025
    Helpful
  • Jalen Fauntleroy

    It was an honor to have my film, CHOICE$, accepted and screened at the Fade To Black Arts Festival. I had a really great experience with many opportunities to network, gain new insights, and viewings for a variety of creative works.

    June 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Jalen! It was an absolute pleasure to showcase CHOICE$ as part of the Fade To Black Arts Festival. Your contribution added meaningful depth to our film lineup, and we're thrilled to hear you had a valuable experience. We're committed to creating space for artists like you to grow, connect, and shine. We look forward to seeing more of your work in the future!

    — The Fade To Black Arts Festival Team

  • Dawn Reavis

    We are incredibly honored to have had All For You selected as part of the Fade to Black Film Festival lineup. Being included in a festival that celebrates and uplifts diverse voices in such a powerful way was a true privilege.

    The networking opportunities were excellent, and we were able to engage with an inspiring community of filmmakers, artists, and creatives who are passionate about storytelling.

    Thank you again to the Fade to Black Film Festival for your warm support and for championing films like ours. We are grateful to have been part of such a vibrant and empowering event.

    — Team All For You

    June 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Dawn and Team All For You,

    Thank you so much for your beautiful words and for being part of the Fade To Black Film Festival. We were honored to share All For You with our audiences—it’s films like yours that reflect the heart of our mission: celebrating and amplifying powerful, diverse voices in storytelling.

    We’re thrilled the networking experience was meaningful and that you found connection within our creative community. Your presence added great value to this year’s festival, and we hope to see more of your work in the future.

    With gratitude,
    S. Denise O’Neal
    Executive Director, Shabach Enterprise

  • Shawnowonette Turner

    Love You and Your Staff Mrs. Denise. Thank You for Being so Attentive to Houston Hollywood Studios! We Appreciate EVERYTHING You All Done to Make Our Day Grand!

    June 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you! We appreciate the kind words. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
    Regards,
    Errol wilks