Kwanzaa Film Festival 2024

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✨ Get ready for an exhilarating cinematic celebration at the Eighth Annual Kwanzaa Film Festival 2024! 🎉 From December 26th to the grand closing ceremony on January 1st, 2025, immerse yourself in a world of powerful storytelling, creativity, and cultural significance.

🌍 The Kwanzaa Film Festival is more than just a film event – it's a commitment to discovering and nurturing filmmakers who embody the principles of Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. This year's festival promises a lineup that not only entertains but also resonates with the core values that define Kwanzaa.

🎟️ Tickets for this extraordinary experience will be available soon, so stay tuned for the announcement! Prepare to embark on a cinematic journey that showcases the richness of African American storytelling and invites a global audience to join in the celebration.

🎥 Here's a glimpse of what's in store:

Narrative Feature Films: Engage with captivating narratives that bring to life universal themes and stories from African American voices.
KFF Documentary Short Films: Explore the depth of real-life stories through thought-provoking documentaries that inspire and educate.
KFF Dramatic Shorts Films: Experience the power of short films that pack a punch, leaving a lasting impression.
KFF Experimental and Afrofuturism Short Films: Dive into the world of experimental cinema and Afrofuturism, pushing the boundaries of creativity.
KFF Women Films Festival Tours: Celebrate the strength, resilience, and creativity of women filmmakers as their stories take center stage.
MLK Jr Film Showcase 2025: Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a showcase of films that reflect his ideals and impact.
🌟 Join us in supporting independent filmmakers who bring diverse perspectives to the big screen. Let's make the Eighth Annual Kwanzaa Film Festival a beacon of unity, culture, and cinematic excellence! Get ready to be inspired, entertained, and enlightened. See you at the movies! 🍿🎥 #KwanzaaFilmFestival2023 #CinematicCelebration #UnityInFilm

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.

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.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Mauricette Caruana

What a wonderful experience! The KFF was my first short film experience and I truly enjoyed it! The festival staff were very welcoming and accommodating and the venues were simply brilliant! Kudos to the KFF for creating such a rich and diverse festival!

February 2024

Helpful
Safiya Songhai

First, the venues are in the heart of Harlem. The The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Maysles Documentary Center were the perfect meeting places to bring together African Diaspora filmmakers uplifting so many topics and issues in the world. The films were entertaining, rich and wise, and of caliber.

Ina Norris is the kindest, warmest, and loves to celebrate the hard work of creatives.

The evenings end in the Shrine which is a popular night club that has food, drink and live performance.

The Kwanzaa Film Festival is going to become a major tourist attraction in the years to come. Get your film in there now.

January 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Your words not only acknowledge the dedication and passion invested by our team but also contribute to the elevation of the festival's profile in the broader cinematic landscape. We are honored to receive such positive feedback, and it serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts of filmmakers, organizers, and the diverse audience that makes our festival a vibrant celebration of storytelling and culture.
Ronald James

INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. Kind crowd, Kind staff. I appreciated the energy so much. 10 stars

January 2024

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Chuck Moss

Kudos to Ina Norris, Paulette Jones and staff for an amazing Festival. Wonderfully curated films and a diverse collection of talented and creative filmmakers from around the world. Hosted in the iconic Schomberg Center and Maysles Documentary Center, attendees were afforded a rich legacy experience in Harlem, NYC. The Kwanzaa Film Festival is highly recommended.

January 2024

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Robert Broome

I was so honored to be a part of the 2023 Kwanzaa Film Festival. I feel the selection of all of the films were entertaining and appropriate. What a great team. They were kind, courteous, knowledgeable and so many more positive adjectives. The panels were engaging and filled with qualified people appropriate to the various subject matters. Finally, the people attending were all positive and beautiful. Many friendships were initiated and/or continued.
Bobby Broome “A Holistic Journey”

January 2024

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Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

January 19, 2024
Opening Date
June 17, 2024
early bird
August 17, 2024
deadline
September 17, 2024
late submission
October 17, 2024
Notification Date
December 26, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Event Date

Categories & Fees

NARRATIVE FEATURE FILMS
Calling all talented filmmakers of African descent! We're thrilled to announce a competitive section for feature-length films at the Kwanzaa Film Festival. To be eligible, films must have a minimum runtime of 60 minutes and be directed and/or both written and produced by individuals of African descent. Entrants must be 18 years or older. Open to U.S. and international entries. Films must be in English or include English-language subtitles. This category aims to align with the principles of Kwanzaa: Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Selected films will have the prestigious opportunity to open our festival at the renowned Schomburg Center for Research In Black Culture, a world-class venue (subject to change). Don't miss the chance to showcase your exceptional work and be part of this cultural celebration! Submit your film and be a vital part of the Kwanzaa Film Festival experience.
- early bird
- Standard: $20
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $15
- deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $25
- late submission
- Standard: $50
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $35
Submit Now
SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILMS
Introducing our Documentary SHORT Competition, a riveting section for nonfiction feature films directed by or about individuals of African descent. Here are the key eligibility criteria: Films must have a runtime of less than 45 minutes. Directed by or about persons of African descent. Entrants must be 18 years or older.Open to U.S. and international entries.Films must be in English or include English-language subtitles. Post-production completed on or after January 1, 2022. Films should not have been broadcast, streamed, or publicly released before September 15, 2023. We particularly welcome films centered on cooperative economics, though those illustrating any of the Kwanzaa principles—unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, purpose, creativity, and faith—are highly encouraged. This is your opportunity to contribute to the celebration of African heritage and culture. Submit your documentary and be part of the KFF's exploration of impactful narratives!
- early bird
- Standard: $20
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $15
- deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $25
- late submission
- Standard: $50
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $35
Submit Now
Dramatic shorts Films
KFF invites submissions for our Dramatic Shorts category, exclusively featuring films with compelling real-life narratives, profound situations, and authentic characters. We emphasize strong acting and exceptional writing that evokes emotions in the audience. The writer must be of Black race or African descent, and we particularly welcome short films that vividly illustrate the principles of Kwanzaa. Share your impactful stories with us and be part of the celebration of African heritage and culture at the Kwanzaa Film Festival!
- early bird
- Standard: $20
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $15
- deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $25
- late submission
- Standard: $50
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $35
Submit Now
Afrofuturism, comedic satire and comedic timing short films
KFF invites submissions for experimental short films that explore themes of Afrofuturism, comedic satire, or showcase exceptional comedic timing. Embrace creativity and innovation as you contribute to the vibrant celebration of African heritage and culture at the Kwanzaa Film Festival!
- early bird
- Standard: $20
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $15
- deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $25
- late submission
- Standard: $50
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $35
Submit Now
Films from Black Women Writers
KFF is actively seeking short films with coming-of-age stories by women writers that vividly illustrate self-determination. Whether in the fiction or non-fiction genre, we welcome compelling narratives that explore this theme. Filmmakers attending the festival may have the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion on race and gender. Submit your work and be part of the conversation at the Kwanzaa Film Festival!
- early bird
- Standard: $20
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $15
- deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $25
- late submission
- Standard: $50
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $35
Submit Now
MLk Jr theme films
Kwanzaa Film Festival extends an invitation to filmmakers of all ethnicities to submit films for our Martin Luther King Jr Day 2025 showcase. We are seeking films that exemplify the power of humanity. Share your compelling stories and perspectives that celebrate the strength of the human spirit. This is an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful event that honors Martin Luther King Jr's legacy. Submit your films now to be part of this impactful celebration!
- early bird
- Standard: $20
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $15
- deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $25
- late submission
- Standard: $50
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $35
Submit Now

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Kwanzaa Film Festival 2024