The Seventh Annual Kwanzaa Film Festival 2023 begins December 26th to the closing ceremony on 1/1/2024

Tickets can be purchased TBA

The Kwanzaa Film Festival is committed to discovering and developing filmmakers to help support the principles of Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.. .

We strongly encourage independent filmmakers who have universal themes from African American storytellers who attract the global audience.

We accept films in these categories:
.Nguzo SABA (7 PRINCIPLES) AWARD A film short or feature narrative (US and INTERNATIONAL) written, produced or directed by a person of African descent . The film must include at least one scene emphasizing one of the seven principles.

a. Short Narrative films by emerging directors

b. Films with a Black Writer or Director narrative feature films that express empowerment of African American Role models

c. Short documentary films that educate and empower us to become financially literate.

d.. Nia Short student films
Seeking students which have the most compelling story.

Awards & Prizes


Jury Narrative Feature Competiton Award
Jury Documentary feature Award
KFF Short film Award
Jury Award Best Narrative
Best Director of a Narrative Feature
Best Actor
Best short film award

Opportunities to meet with distributors as well as professional consultations.

Rules & Terms

Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights.
Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in the film, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. Kwanzaa film festival expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.
BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, THE APPLICANT HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ANY LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

30 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ken Sagoes

    I'm deeply honored that “The Secret Weapon: Yesterday is Today" was selected as an Award Winner in your remarkable festival! The festival is well-organized with great communication. May the festival continue to provide filmmakers a platform that fosters creativity and self expression.

    February 2023
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  • Sydnie Baynes

    It was great that the Kwanzaa film festival organized various community events to encourage filmmakers to network. I unfortunately could not attend the in-person portion of the festival due to living overseas. My film was screened on the final day in the "Celebrating Fashion Friday" category, My film had absolutely nothing to do with fashion as my synopsis stated the film was about "the concept of the male gaze and lust (oversexualization in the Black community)". I felt this was disrespectful to my animation as it showed that my films message was completely disregarded. I regardless was gracious that my film was promoted to a broader audience due to the festival screening.

    In terms of communication the Kwanzaa Film Festival had many hiccups when it came to this aspect. Filmmakers would only receive partial information such as who category winners were, despite being part of emails specifically for festival winners. I will also mention that it has happened on more than one occasion where links would be shared for a networking event with a scheduled date however the organizers would leave all participants outside in the hybrid waiting room for hours, resulting to the event being cancelled or a change of date would be shared to us after waiting a decent amount of time. I very well understand that there can be technical issues but this happening numerous times is absurd.

    Despite all these issues encountered, I'm still happy to see that a festival is trying to do something for the Black community and trying to improve.

    February 2023
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  • Dominique Pierre

    Great vibes at the festival.

    January 2023
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  • Victor Power

    We are very grateful to Kwanzaa Film Festival. Our short film The Moth won Best Monologue and we are grateful for the response and the invitation to the online Ceremony which was on MLK Day.

    It made it all the more memorable.

    January 2023
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  • Mario Lopez

    Top notch festival. They did a wonderful job of promoting the festival and also hyping up all the screenings. I definitely look forward to resubmitting new work to Kwanzaa FF in the future!

    January 2023
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