Now it its 6th year, the Rhode Island Black Film Festival is an annual event that empowers Black artists and showcases a wide range of entertainment content made by and about people of African descent. Black culture enthusiasts and content creators from around the world gather for four days of screenings, talk events, parties and networking. Come join us for live in screenings on College Hill in Providence to the shores of Newport, from April 20-April 23 followed by our virtual streaming from April 24-June 1, 2023.
 The Film Festival is Rhode Island's only platform serving as a creative space for conversations, ideas, and projects by filmmakers of African- American, Caribbean and Afro-Latin descent. The Rhode Island Black Film Festival is four days of screenings of feature, short and documentary films by filmmakers from around the globe.
The Rhode Island Black Film Festival Is where social justice and cinema take a seat.

Awards & Prizes

Rhode Island Black Film Festival Film of the Year
Rhode Island Black Film Festival Best Documentary
Best Feature Film
Best Short
Best Student

Rules & Terms

By entering the Rhode Island Black Film Festival you agree to follow its rules and guidelines. Eligibility requirements are final. There are no exceptions.

We consider films in any language, from anywhere in the world. If your film is not in English, make sure it has English subtitles where necessary.

We consider films regardless of their premiere status. Even if your film premiered at another festival, it’s still eligible.

Only features that don’t have distribution are eligible for RIBFF. Entrants must notify the festival at once if their distribution status changes.

There’s no distribution rule for Short Films. All Short Films, including those released online, are eligible.

We don’t provide waivers to any filmmakers. This is how we ensure an equal playing field and stay fair to all who submit to our festival.

If accepted, entrants are responsible for delivering their exhibition copy and other materials, such as: trailer, screener link, press stills, and press-kit, by deadline.

If accepted, filmmakers are required to do their best to attend the festival.

We are unable to update screeners once they are already in our system. We encourage filmmakers to submit their work as early as possible.
Submissions are accepted until 11:59 PM EST on the deadline date.

8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • James Theres

    Hidden Gem of a festival. Ann Clanton does an amazing job pulling it all together.

    May 2023
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  • Jacqueline Kennedy

    Elated for our film "Mayor Pro Tem-William "Pete" Kennedy" was selected for the RIFF. The festival team communicated effectively throughout the event. Grateful to have been selected. Thank you!

    May 2023
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  • Robert Darwell

    We were thrilled to have "Black Uniform" screen at the Rhode Island Black Film Festival. We appreciate the recognition and the hospitality. Thank you very much.

    April 2023
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  • Arden Teresa Lewis

    We had our world premiere of Leveling Lincoln at the RIBFF and throughly enjoyed our experience. Communication and housing were great and the filmmakers were welcomed with respect and appreciation. Thank you also for honoring Leveling Lincoln with the historic documentary award for 2022. We are grateful.

    April 2022
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  • Charles A. Honeywood

    Truly Grateful to be amongst so many talented Filmmakers.

    April 2022
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