The North Carolina Black Film Festival is a three-day juried and invitational festival of independent motion pictures by Black filmmakers as well as films on subjects of African-American life and history, which showcase features, shorts, animation, documentary films, and student films. We pride ourselves in the Carolinas with hospitality and amazing honorees and winners such as Anthony Hemingway, Ava DuVernay, Giancarlo Esposito, the late Dwayne McDuffie, Scott Sanders and more.

The North Carolina Black Film Festival, Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County is held in Wilmington, NC formerly known as Hollywood East. The dates of this year's festival are May 1 - May 3, 2026.

Awards & Prizes

Trophies Awarded to 1st Place winners as well as a Festival package in the Feature, Doc, and Short categories based on 3 submissions in each category.

1st Place Student winners receive a special package and trophy.
23 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Marquise Williams

    I went to North Carolina just for the event and got way more out of it than I would've even hoped. I can't say for sure it'll be the same for everybody, but I had a good time.

    April 2025
    Helpful
  • Marshall Gibson

    Such a wonderful experience to have shown my short doc 'Life in my Eyes.' Each of the film curations were impressive and thoughtful. I left this festival feeling like I had been at a family reunion with lots of love and forever memories! The entire programming team - Chenita, Tranelle, Ashley, Nuri, Olivia, Anna, Ty, Charlon, & Brandon were super inviting, helpful, and warm. We were offered an amazingly generous free stay during the festival at the Jengo Playground's "Pink House" adjoining Airbnb through Dan at Cucualorous (Thanks again Dan ❤️). Great things are happening at NCBFF - so many traces of creativity, originality, and Blackness ✊🏾

    April 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for submitting your film and we had a great time with you and introducing you to a little bit of Wilmington! We look forward to you returning with more film or just popping into the festival!! Chi Town in the Port City!!

  • Christian Loubek

    A Thriving Film Festival in the heart of Wilmington, NC! Well organized, well curated and great community. NCBFF takes place over the course of one weekend in the spring and worth the trip.

    Thankful for the opportunity to screen BELIEF here. And grateful for the Family Cinema Award. Thank you Charlon Everett and Brandon Hickman!

    April 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for being apart!! We look forward to seeing you next year as we continue to grow!

  • Cedric Ingram

    This a phenomenal film festival, and I’m extremely proud and grateful to have been apart of it.

    April 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We are proud that you would leave those words about us! Thank you for being here and we look forward to you returning next year!

  • Juliette Fairley

    I love this festival! Not only is it located in the Hollywood of North Carolina in Wilmington but it's also closely associated with the famous Cucalorus Film Festival. The North Carolina Black Film Festival is one of the Coolest Film Festivals because of perks like offering complimentary lodging to the filmmakers of official selections on a first come first served basis. I highly recommend the NC Black Film Festival.

    April 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for being a part of the festival this year! Your film was amazing! Hopefully we will see you next year with more film!