The Micheaux Film Festival

About Us:
The Micheaux Film Festival is a multicultural film festival that showcases and celebrates diverse representation in the entertainment and media landscape, while cultivating a dynamic community that gives artists an opportunity to tell their unique stories. We are a festival in living color, inclusive, intersectional, and disruptive. We offer a cutting-edge and fresh take on the traditional festival experience, and bring independent creatives together to curate an environment for artists to build sincere relationships with future collaborators in the television, film, media, and digital space.

The festival is aptly named after Oscar Micheaux, a pioneer filmmaker described as one the most successful African-American filmmakers of the first half of the 20th century. His legacy lives on through his writing, directing, producing, and distribution of over 44 feature films during his lifetime.

As members of the BIPOC community, we understand the importance of representation, especially in media and entertainment. Our main focus is to curate an environment where all feel welcomed, part of a community, and able to identify with the stories they see play out on screen and behind the scenes.

MFF has been featured in domestic and international press and publications like: Forbes, Black Enterprise, CNN Philippines, Moviemaker Magazine, Deadline, Shadow & Act, Popsugar and NBC and CBS local news. In addition, MFF alumni have gone on to sign with top agencies and management companies, ink deals for their projects that've screened at the festival and work with major studios/networks.

2021 Festival Season:
In our 2021 season, we received an overwhelming amount of submissions, showcasing over 180 projects on our virtual platform and screening 70+ in person projects as the first film festival to safely return to theaters (since the global pandemic shutdown) in California at the historical TCL Chinese Theater.

In addition to the screening content, filmmakers and attendees had access to over 15+ virtual Q&A mixers, and resourceful and informational Master Class workshops: How to Legally Protect Your Ideas in the Industry, How to Finance Your Film (under $5mil), How to Write for Film & TV w/Steve Pink, How to Nail a Successful Pitch, Socially Relevant vs. Socially Responsible Content (sponsored by SONY Pictures Entertainment), How to IMDbPro Like A Pro (sponsored by IMDbPro) - including spotlight and highlight conversations with executives Caleeb Pinkett, Dee Harris-Lawrence and a panel of Casting Directors.

To conclude the weekend, at our awards ceremony, we awarded over 40 outstanding projects that screened at the festival, and featured three special honorees: Legendary actor and filmmaker, Robert Townsend (Oscar Micheaux Pioneer of Excellence Award), Gregori J. Martin (Michael Ajakwe Trailblazer of Influence Award), and Kevin Welbeck (Cesar Chavez Civic Impact Award). These awards go to creators who embody independence while operating within and outside of mainstream Hollywood, creating their own path, while simultaneously opening the door for others.

***SUBMIT FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SCREEN AT OUR 2022 FESTIVAL***

Our Promise:
We pride ourselves on accepting a plethora of diverse projects, and our promise to creators is that every submission is viewed in its entirety by our programming team before a determination is made. We understand how much time, effort and money goes into creating independently, and we want you to know that we honor your commitment to your art.

2022 Submission Updates:
Please make sure to read the requirements thoroughly before submitting your project. If your short film has a runtime longer than 25 minutes, please be sure to submit it in the SHORTS PLUS category. Additionally, as of now, we only accept produced works - no scripts/screenplays.

This year, we will have two notification dates. Those who submit by the late deadline will receive a notification by May 6th. All submissions during the extended late submission period will receive a notification by June 3rd.

***SUBMIT FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SCREEN AT OUR 2022 FESTIVAL***

A word from the founders:

When they ask - why are y’all doing this festival? Our response is simple - for you. The storyteller, the filmmaker, the artist; your sacrifice, your pain and your glory. We understand the level of commitment and excellence that was demanded from you in order to complete your project. And we’re fighting on your behalf for that. Your story. Your pain. Your sacrifice. Your greatness... And we will never compromise.

We would like to thank our 2021 sponsors:

- SONY Pictures Entertainment
- The Oprah Winfrey Network
- Panavision
- The Emma Bowen Foundation
- Black Radiance
- Ya Momz House
- LeadersUp
- IMDBPro
- Final Draft
- Staff me up
- Film Independent
- Blackbird House
- LRG Charm School