Capital City Black Film Festival of Austin, TX attracts a multicultural audience of filmmakers, artists, industry professionals and film lovers from around the world. We invite you to submit your narrative or documentary feature film, short film, animation or music video to be considered for our 2021 program. We are excited for our 9th year and because of you, we are on track to be one of the fastest growing film festivals in the region. This December, CCBFF expects to present a slate of more than 60 films. Join us for our first-ever hybrid festival – which will include a special curated in-person and virtual experience. We are thrilled to be able to continue to reach a broad, diverse group of film enthusiasts across the globe!

Capital City Black Film Festival 2021 Theme: Triumph
While Black people across the diaspora have experienced some of life’s greatest trials, there’s one common thread that connects us – our resilience. In 2021, Capital City Black Film Festival will elevate the stories centered on the beautifully complex lives of Black people with a focus on love, perseverance and ultimately joy. We are celebrating our wins and our ability to TRIUMPH.

In addition to providing a platform to showcase your work to fans and industry professionals, we continue to create opportunities for you to network with industry experts and insiders to share ideas, make deals and enhance your career. We plan to continue our promise of bringing you a best-in-class film festival with opportunities to learn, grow and connect with others in the film.

If you submitted your film in previous years, welcome back! If this is your first time submitting to the Capital City Film Festival, welcome to the family!

This category is a competition.

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Audience Choice

GENERAL RULES

The Capital City Black Film Festival (CCBFF) welcomes features, shorts, documentary features and documentary/short films as well as music videos for its competitive program. CCBFF accepts film submissions from all filmmakers including student filmmakers; however, to be eligible for the festival’s competitive program, one of the film’s creative or actor principals, i.e. the writer, director, producer, lead actor must be Black or of African heritage. All other films will be considered for our invitational program. Please notify the festival in your application if your submission does not meet the requirements for the competitive program and you wish to be considered for the invitational program.

Feature films should be at least 60 minutes in length; short films should be 30 minutes in length or less. Music videos must be original and seven minutes or less. Animation should have a minimum runtime of 5 minutes. Film MUST NOT be available for public viewing anywhere in person or on the internet

By signing below you agree to the following Capital City Black Film Festival (CCBFF) Terms and Conditions, and indicate that you have read and understand the CCBFF entry guidelines and that you are authorized to submit this film and sign this submission form.

The following will apply if my film/video is selected:

1. My film/video will be screened during the CCBFF and will be eligible to win a filmmaker award.
2. My film/video will be delivered (at filmmaker's expense) in the exhibition format specified by the date set by CCBFF.
3. My film/video may be utilized for promotional purposes of the festival, limited to private screenings and preview-only copies for press and supporters, unless otherwise arranged with the CCBFF.
4. A sample clip of my film/video (up to 30 seconds in length) may be promoted via the CCBFF web site and CCBFF Vimeo and/or YouTube channels, unless other arrangements are made with the CCBFF.
5. I will permit the CCBFF to use all names and stills involved with my film/video (at least one print-quality version provided upon request) for promotional purposes.
6. My film is NOT available for public viewing anywhere in person or on the internet

The following will apply for all film/video submissions:

1. The CCBFF retains the right to archive the submitted DVD screener and/or digital/electronic copy of my film/video in physical and/or digital format solely for historical and research purposes, and will not publicly screen it without my permission.
2. CCBFF will conduct private screening sessions to review submissions, which may include my film/video.
3. CCBFF will not return any materials submitted - whether physical or digital submissions.
4. The CCBFF does not provide refunds on submission fees.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Excellent festival with lots of opportunities to network and showcase your film project. Great staff and excellent communication.

    December 2021
  • Eric Ramsey

    Amazing festival experience. Very well ran.

    December 2021
  • Delores M. Flynn

    The Cap City Black Film Festival did a fantastic job keeping us engaged even though all of the festivities were virtual. Communication was clear, the guest speakers and panels were top notch and the films were wonderful.

    January 2021
  • Justice Gamble

    Capital City Black Film Festival was incredible. The love and care they provided to us filmmakers and our films was unbelievable, especially during these unforeseen times. I HIGHLY recommend.

    January 2021
  • Spencer Glover

    Honored to have "Message Read" be apart of this wonderful festival! Great selection of films and panels. Kudos to the team for pulling off a virtual event during an unprecedented year!

    December 2020