The annual Hayti Heritage Film Festival (HHFF) in Durham, North Carolina, is a celebration of cinematic works from filmmakers of African descent. HHFF is one of the nation's longest-running Black film festivals and features screenings of documentaries, short and feature-length films including U.S. premieres. Q&A sessions and panel discussions are among the other additional attractions. Particular consideration is given to filmmakers located in the American South.

Awards & Prizes

None.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for consideration:

Films must be directed by a person of African descent or who otherwise identifies as Black.

Narrative feature films and documentary films must not exceed a running time of 120 minutes.

Shorts must not exceed a running time of 30 minutes.

Non-English language works must have English subtitles at the time submitted. Dialogue lists will not be accepted.

Though not required for eligibility, preference is given to films made in the American South.

Note: Submissions may be in work-in-progress form; however, works that are not final cuts must be clearly marked “Work in Progress (WIP)” or “Rough Cut” with an indication of what will change or what is missing (e.g., temp sound, missing animation, etc.).

Entrants must fully comply with these entry rules and regulations, including all deadlines, film length, entry material, and other requirements.

5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Katrina Brook Flores

    Thank you to the whole team that make this needed, amazing and powerful festival move and groove. Our film Assaman was included as an Official Selection for 2023 and we couldn't be more honored. The curation of the festival is focused and top notch! Communication was stellar and we felt lifted up along the way. While we weren't able to attend in-person, we had audience members reach out to us through our film socials after the festival who watched our film and that was a beautiful experience. 100% recommend the Hayti Heritage Film Festival and support both the festival mission and the community it is rooted in! Thank you all - Tlazocamati - Jerejef

    June 2023
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  • Akil Wingate

    What an amazing experience and equally amazing group of people! I cannot rave enough about how special this festival and its organizers are.

    March 2021
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  • Jonathan Isaac Jackson

    I have been lucky to be a part of this festival over the past few years, and love the way it is presented and operated. I strongly recommend people of color submitting to this festival and attending if you can.

    April 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much! We love your work and will champion your creative vision. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next year!

  • Yolonda Johnson-Young

    Kudos to Lana Garland and the entire team at Hayti Heritage Film Festival!! Great workshops, great movies, great time!!

    February 2020
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    Response from festival:

    You rock, Yolonda Johnson-Young!

  • Kenneth Campbell

    Lana Garland created an incredible experience as Artistic Director - looking forward to submitting again next year.

    March 2018
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