The San Antonio Black International Film Festival (SABIFF) is pleased to present SABIFF 2023. Festival dates run OCTOBER 5 - OCTOBER 8, 2023. OPEN CALL for our “Films in Competition” begins on January 15, 2023, and ends on July 16, 2023. The Early Bird Special ends on March 31st. SABIFF accepts all original, quality video/film narratives, documentaries, animation and music videos from around the world, with diverse perspectives on the Black experience. Films that are created by, for, and/or about Black perspectives, with Black Creatives in leading production roles are welcomed. Imaginative, genres, and authentic subject matters are encouraged.
The mission of the San Antonio Black International Film Festival (SABIFF) is to showcase quality films, advocate for, and support filmmakers of African descent. We expose audiences to the myriad of subject matters, stories, voices, and diverse images of Black people throughout the global African Diaspora who have been historically under-represented. SABIFF affirms that multitudes of quality Black films deserve presentation to audiences thirsting for alternative independent cinema in the Alamo City and virtually. SABIFF believes that the elevation of Black history, culture, lives and diverse narratives are empowering to people and platforms which in turn inspire positive and progressive social change. #BlackFilmsMatter
SABIFF provides a philanthropic service that connects humanity and teaches cultural pluralism by bringing the world to disparate and isolated audiences. SABIFF amplifies films created by people who identify as and represent data specific to Afrocentrism. The African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” holds true in the independent film world for African-descent storytellers. It takes a village to create moving narratives and images reflective of one’s ethnic identity, history, and experiences that are consciously and unconsciously inherent in our physical and cultural DNA. After a documentary and narrative film is completed, the subsequent challenge is exhibition and distribution to global audiences. Therein lies the importance of SABIFF–a boutique film festival whose specific goal is to reach and impact marginalized communities in San Antonio, TX–and throughout cyberspace, to eager audiences in other virtual corners of the world.
About SABIFF 2023
This year will mark SABIFF’s 5th year of empowering events. Our hybrid events will be held both virtually and physically, in the "Alamo City.” In addition to the Films in Competition, SABIFF 2023 turns our lens to Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) Creatives, and celebrate HBCU alumni change-makers who have made great strides as professionals in the independent filmmaking, as well as media and entertainment industry. Our theme, "HBCU LUV" will be highlighted at our opening night film presentation, the Ankh Achievement Awardees, panels, and the closing film. Scheduled programming will center on HBCU talent, with essential roles both in the independent realm, and in the animation industry.
San Antonio is hailed as the 7th largest city in the United States, and a 'military city.' As the second largest city in Texas, San Antonio is widely known for tourist attractions which include: the Alamo, the five-time NBA champion SPURS basketball team, delicious Tex-Mex cuisine, the 750 ft. Hemisphere Tower, and its beautiful River Walk, which runs through the downtown area. SA also is home to St. Philip's College, a HBCU that celebrates 125 year aniversity in 2023. San Antonio is an up & coming city full of possibility and exploration. SABIFF’s expansion of the arts, culture, and storytelling through Black films, adds to the city’s commitment to broaden equity, diversity, and inclusion.
SABIFF 2023 welcome's San Antonio audiences in town, and viewers across the world-wide-web to join us the first weekend in October (10/5 - 10/8), as we celebrate diverse storytelling, culture and the arts through filmmaking, festivities, and of course, some down-home San Antonio hospitality!
*Black Heritage Things to do in San Antonio https://www.visitsanantonio.com/black-heritage/
A physical SABIFF 2023 Award will be presented to winning filmmakers in each category (10) at our annual Awards Brunch the closing day of the festival with a few surprises.
*Best Narrative Feature Film *Best Narrative Short Film
*Best Documentary Feature Film *Best Documentary Short Film
*Best Student Film *Music Video
*Best Animation Film *Best Actor in a Film *Best Actress in a Film *Audience Choice Award
(voted on by the viewing audience)
