The Fourth Annual Kwanzaa Film Festival 2020 begins December 26th to December 31st and an closing ceremony on January 18,2021.

Tickets can be purchased at KwanzaaFilmFest.Festivee.com

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. Due to the Coronavirus we will be launching an online site entitled The Kwanzaa Film Festival Experience. These films will be view on an ongoing basis at a particular time slot. We also pick a select few to have an online event targeting a discussion around your film.

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

We accept films in these categories:

1. Unity Short Narrative films
Seeking films from African filmmakers that express the relationships between Africans in Diaspora to African Americans or African films that provide an understanding of African cultural and creative expression.

2. Kuchigalia emerging women directors short films
Seeking films that exhibit strong female lead characters who are self-determined.

3. Ujima Black Male Writers short films
Seeking narrative films that express the empowerment of Black Men as role models.

4. Ujaama Short Documentary Films
seeking films that educate and empower us to become financially literate.

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

6. Kuumba Cinematography short film
Seeking films that contain beautiful and stylized composition and framing and elevate the film as a whole.

7.Imani feature film that inspires and has a compelling story of faith. ( documentary or narrative fiction)

8, Martin Luther King communicating across culture short and features films
This category is reserved for a film which shows the influence of African diaspora and/or in its relationship and influence on another culture. This film will be shown on Martin Luther King's Jr Birthday. We are also seeking meaningful music videos.

Eligibility Requirements

a. We will not have any waiver for any of the participants.
B. No refunds for any participants
c.strong consideration for work finished in 2019 however we have no time restrictions
d. All films must at least 20 percent African American in the production team or cast.
e.Collegiate films must provide proof of attendance
f. Short films no longer than 30 minutes
g. Feature can not be longer than 90 minutes.
H. Filmmakers are responsible for all music, title, cast clearances

Based on the COVID 19 we will be screening films year round so if you are not selected for the festival dates you may also be part of the Four Seasons of Kwanzaa Film Festival Experience online Tour. Please indicate if you would like to be consider for this.

Awards & Prizes


We will also choose films to be a part of our "four seasons of Kwanzaa Film Festival " Tour. All filmmakers will be considered for a license agreement contract which will allow us to create a tour with your project. The winning selections will have the opportunity to be reviewed by Digital Media Rights for a distribution offer.

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.

12 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Secret Society Entertainment

    Kwanza Film Fest was great. Would recommend to other filmmakers.

    January 2021
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  • Tami Lyn Show

    Thank you so much Kwanzaa Film Festival for the opportunity to share Blind Life Matters. There is an estimated 285 Million Blind/Visual impaired individuals in the world and 7 Million in the U.S alone. Just ask, never assume that a blind or visual impaired person needs your help! Please subscribe to my youtube channel, like the videos and turn on the notifications.
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf06vfsGFKIDu0h53lzQ2YA

    #BlindLifeMatters #TamiLynShow #KwanzaaFlimFestival2020 #LoveYa

    January 2021
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  • Jeanette Greenwood

    I enjoyed the festival!! Our film Zoomzilla was selected. It was very well out together for a virtual film festival. Enjoyed all the workshops and other films.

    January 2021
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  • Audrey Cuff

    I loved the festival .Grateful to be a part of a this festival

    January 2021
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  • Kevin Harewood- Entertainment

    This festival was a great showcase for stories that serve an under served audience that need to be told and are told in a myriad of alternative ways. This years festival in particular is taking place at a time when the public really needs it. I am thankful that our film was selected to be a part of it and thoroughly relish the opportunity to be a part of the Kwanzaa Film Festival participant crew

    January 2021
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