Beyond the Frame: Black Voices Amplified
Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration | Black Film Festival 2025

Indiana Black Expo invites filmmakers to submit their work for the 2025 IBE Black Film Festival, part of our 54th Annual Summer Celebration. This year's theme, Beyond the Frame: Black Voices Amplified, calls on artists to honor, celebrate, and elevate the depth and diversity of Black storytelling.

We are seeking short films and feature-length films that center Black experiences, amplify authentic voices, and inspire meaningful conversations. Films should be narrative or documentary in nature, capturing authentic stories rooted in culture, resilience, creativity, and truth.

We are looking for films that:

Showcase Black voices, identities, cultures, and lived experiences
Tell bold, authentic stories that reflect strength, innovation, and joy
Highlight underrepresented or historically marginalized narratives
Inspire dialogue, connection, and celebration of the Black experience
We welcome submissions from independent filmmakers, emerging artists, and storytellers across all backgrounds who are committed to advancing powerful Black narratives.

Rules & Terms

RULES & TERMS
Submissions must align with the theme Beyond the Frame: Black Voices Amplified by centering Black voices, stories, and experiences.
We accept narrative and documentary short films (up to 30 minutes) and feature films (over 30 minutes).
This is a non-competitive showcase — no awards or prizes will be given.
Films must be submitted via secure online screener through FilmFreeway.
All films must be final cuts; works-in-progress will not be considered.
Films can be previously screened elsewhere but must not have distribution deals that prevent public exhibition.
Submitters must have full rights to the submitted material, including music, images, and video clips used in the film.
Selected filmmakers agree to allow Indiana Black Expo to exhibit their film during the Black Film Festival on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at IBE’s Headquarters in Indianapolis.
Submission fees are non-refundable.
By submitting, you agree that your film may be used for promotional purposes for the 2025 Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration (e.g., trailers, screenshots, event marketing).
All decisions regarding selection are final.