The Fifth Annual Kwanzaa Film Festival 2021 begins December 26th to December 26th an closing ceremony on January 18,2022.

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:
.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 women directors

b. Team of A Black Woman Writer or Director with a Black Male 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.

2. DAME DASH FEATURE film Competition A section for narrative features films directed and produced and written by person of African descent this award will automatically guarantee a first look by DAMON DASH studios with a distribution deal , a feature article in Kwanzaa Film festival 5th year anniversary edition magazine.

3.Digital Media Rights documentary short or feature A competitive section for nonfiction film directed by person of Color . The winner of this award will meet with Digital Media Rights regarding an distribution deal.

4. UK Media Web series seeking web series or film focusing on family content suitable for children.

Awards & Prizes


We All filmmakers will be considered for a license agreement will also choose films to be a part of our Tour. through out the year The winning selections will have the opportunity to be reviewed by Digital Media Rights for a distribution offer. Damon Dash Studio and Homestead who have partnership with Fox Soul, TUBi and others as a preferred customer. UK media as well. They are all income producing distribution companies

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.

16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tayana Brumaire

    My film was part of this past 2020 I hate to say I was not even able to attend the festival because I received no information on when and where my film was screening. I reached out countless times about the festival information, but they did not send me any info, so it wasn’t really like I was part of the festival became I didn’t even receive any information about my film screening or when it was happening. Communication was beyond poor, definitely wasn’t worth the submission fee, especially if for the poor communication. How do you guys accept someone’s film, but don’t even provide their screening if to where the online screening is taking place when events are happening, etc. just taking people's money for no reason. I even reached out to them about a festival laurel and they haven’t gotten back to me about that either. Other professional festivals would at least respond to that and screening. This is a unprofessional festival and I will not submit again. And I suggest other black filmmakers to find professional festivals that value black filmmakers, not ones with poor communication, unprofessionalism, and expecting black filmmakers to tolerate it, like it’s acceptable and fair for filmmakers who work hard on their films, and looking for festivals that celebrate black cinema. Like this festival don’t even have basic communication skills, just greedy for people’s submission money. Based on the reviews maybe some people get their screening information and others don’t, because I know I sure didn’t. Overall will not submit, and this is taking a lot out for me to say, this the festival wasn’t it.

    August 2021
    Helpful
  • Yolonda Johnson-Young

    Thankful to have screened Finding Elijah among the other amazing films. Thank you Kwanzaa Film Festival.

    April 2021
    Helpful
  • a.p nkunzi

    I was honored to have my film screened at the Kwanzaa Film Festival 2020.It was a great experience and even a huge honor to have my film ''2020'' close the ceremony. Many thanks, I am grateful. Organization was top-notch

    March 2021
    Helpful
  • Wi-Moto Nyoka

    I found the Kwanzaa Film Festival to a warm and supportive group that focused on providing its filmmakers with useful tools to push their projects forward. Thank you for including "Wham!" in your line up.

    March 2021
    Helpful
  • Secret Society Entertainment

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

    January 2021
    Helpful