Black X Film Festival

22/10/2022

It is with great regret that we announce the cancellation of the 2022 Black X Film Festival. The team worked really hard; however, prevailing personal and professional responsibilities took precedence. As the goal is always to uplift and provide quality, in the final weeks of planning the team realized we wouldn't be able to deliver with the integrity of programming we have in the past.

All filmmakers and current fiscal sponsor were notified prior.

The goal is to regroup, revamp, add more team members, and go from there.

Many thanks for all your support.

-- Team Black X

[Image ID: Red copy that says, "2022 cancelled" on top of a white rectangle with the Black X Film Festival logo. The white rectangle sits atop a black background with white lettering that says, "Black X Film Festival"]

18/09/2022

ATTENTION: The judging process is wrapped for this year’s Black X Film Festival. Thank you to everyone who submitted or shared festival info with a Black writer or director.

‼️Please check your email and follow the instructions (if you were selected) so you meet our 9/21 deadline.

Coming Soon: GoFundMe launch!

08/07/2022

The submission portion of the third annual Black X Film Festival is underway. If you're a writer and/or director please consider submitting your film. We're open to filmmaker from across the diaspora and have screened films from first-timers as well as seasoned pros. The late deadline is August 5 and the extension deadline is August 26. However, if you need a waiver for any reason (honor system) please contact us via Instagram: (faster response time) or DM us here.

We actually pay filmmakers who're selected to be screened!

Good luck and we hope to see your submission.

The Black X Film Festival is a three-day film festival started by a collective of q***r Black artists and accomplices to showcase Black creators, and to supp...

28/06/2022

We hear you, ! Fam, though the US government is failing backwards in so many ways (trans bans, striking down Roe v. Wade, throwing out Miranda rights, and more) we still have so much love, learning, creating, sharing, and fighting to do. However, please make time to replenish yourselves.

TEXT: Some incredibly harmful things are happening in America right now! And this stuff can drain you and cause you to lose hope. Make sure you protect your energy…cause we STILL got lives to inspire, art to create, policies to change, systems to tear down, and causes to fight for!

12/05/2022

Our crew doesn’t stop! A few weeks ago Shane and Bianka met up at where she served as a programmer and he screened his film ‘I Live Here’.

02/02/2022

Happy Black History Month! Often the 28 (sometimes 29 days) we have in February is filled with trauma p/rn. Though we have to know where we came from a narrative rooted in slavery as the start of our history in the Americas is erroneous and damaging.

So, tell us how you express Black joy?

17/01/2022

Okay! Because the Martin Luther King Jr liberal white people like to remember did see color and a dream that has yet to become our reality.

See our story for ’s call to action to get Joe Biden and congress to !

via : Today folks will reduce Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. into a whitewashed Black saint caricature & take his words out of context to demonize modern racial justice movements like BLM.
•⠀⠀⠀⠀
But what they fail to recognize is that MLK was way more radical than we are led to believe. In the year before his assassination, he was despised for condemning the Vietnam War & forging alliances with labor rights groups.
•⠀⠀⠀⠀
He was uncompromisingly anti-imperialist & anti-capitalist. This is the that was assassinated. Over 50 years later & we are still fighting for your dream King. ✊🏾 (tweet: )

10/01/2022

Via : Michaela Jaé Rodriquez becomes the first trans actress to win a Golden Globe (“Pose” on FX). Congratulations on making history—though you do it everyday!

08/01/2022

Great Moments of “F**k Around and Find Out” In Black Cinema

“In The Heat of the Night” starring Sidney Poitier

Mr. Tibbs visits Endicott in his greenhouse to find out the truth of what happened that night. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf5CjDJvsFvtVIhkf...

07/01/2022

We lost one of the finest to ever act on the big screen. RIL, Sidney Poitier; a pioneer, activist, and a legend.

via : “Sidney Poitier, whose portrayal of determined, dignified heroes in films like “To Sir With Love,” “In the Heat of the Night” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” established him as Hollywood’s first Black matinee idol and helped open the door for Black actors in the film industry, has died at 94.

His death was confirmed by Eugene Torchon-Newry, acting director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Bahamas, where Poitier grew up. No other details were immediately provided.

Poitier, whose Academy Award for the 1963 film “Lilies of the Field” made him the first Black performer to win in the best-actor category, rose to prominence when the civil rights movement was beginning to make headway in the U.S. His roles tended to reflect the peaceful integrationist goals of the struggle. Although often simmering with repressed anger, his characters responded to injustice with quiet resolution.

At the time, Poitier was one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood and a top box-office draw, ranked fifth among male actors in Box Office magazine’s poll of theater owners and critics, behind Richard Burton, Paul Newman, Lee Marvin and John Wayne. Yet for years racial squeamishness would not allow Hollywood to cast him as a romantic lead, despite his good looks.

“To think of the American Negro male in romantic social-sexual circumstances is difficult, you know,” he told an interviewer. “And the reasons why are legion and too many to go into.”

Photo by Sam Falk/The New York Times”

01/01/2022

Hey folks! Enjoy the
rest of your
black AF holiday & Have a Happy New Year! We’re so grateful you’re a part of our community. Though this year and the last have been especially rough, you made it this far! Give yourself some grace to celebrate safely.

We’ll be back next year 😂 with even more content celebrating the beauty of Black storytelling across mediums (we’ll absolutely still be focused on film and television).

xo,

05/11/2021

Great news! We can’t wait to see the shows in the works and those to come.

“Partnering with Stranger Comics’ Founder Sebastian A. Jones, Prentice Penny is launching a yet-to-be-named joint venture to identify and support new talent in the independent comic book world — functioning as an incubator and development lab for BIPOC creators and their IP to find inroads to publication and adaptation to other mediums. Jones and Penny have already identified two projects, David Crownson’s Harriet Tubman Demon Slayer and Jaycen Wise from creator Uraeus, both of which area already be developing for TV.”

The to-be-named joint venture with Stranger Comics’ founder Sebastian A. Jones, a comic-focused entertainment company, aims to identify and support up-and-coming BIPOC creators.

29/09/2021

Rest In Light Melvin Van Peebles. We’re so grateful for all this filmmaker accomplished and for his telling of Black stories onscreen.

26/09/2021

Is the work for the people you’re supposedly supporting or because it looks good to others?

“Gentle reminder…the work you are doing means nothing if you aren’t actually listening to and caring for the people that you actually know in your life. We/They should probably be the first people you consider.” — (Instagram)

31/08/2021

We’re proud to announce the Black X Film Festival is one of several projects that received funding from Start The Wave in 2021. We met the criteria for their “Creating and Healing” and “Equality and Justice” initiatives. This is a huge honor! Thank you to Start the Wave for believing in the Black X Film Festival and our mission to celebrate Black creativity and joy in the midst of turmoil.⁠
⁠
Start the Wave’s primary focus is supporting grassroots initiatives around the world that apply for funding. By donating to Start the Wave you are helping fund projects that may not traditionally get funding from other sources. ⁠
⁠
Black X is still fundraising via too. Remember, the co-founders aren’t paid but our creators and the charities/mutual aid organizations we support receive honorariums and funding. Only between 20-30% of our funds go towards overhead (tech team, administrative costs, payment for media storage, etc.)⁠
⁠
Donate to our GoFundMe today: https://www.gofundme.com/f/black-x-film-festival-year-2

17/07/2021

Join us for the second installment of the Black X Speaks discussion series: Hollywood Night. This month we'll be sharing the screen with writer and executive producer Theo Travers ("Billions", “Power”) and writer Aurin Squire (“The Good Fight”, “Evil”) as we tackle creating in Hollywood while existing in a Black body.

Panel moderated by Kassia Graham, Black X cofounder.

Thursday, July 22, 2021
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM ET
Virtual event via Run The World

RSVP: http://tinyurl.com/BlackXHollywood (case sensitive)

12/06/2021

LATE EXTENSION DEADLINE: If you’ve been thinking about submitting your film (all types welcome) don’t miss the extended deadline. Congratulations, you have until June 25, 2021.

TAG a friend, family member, acquaintance, or colleague who has something great to show the world!

The Black X Film Festival is a celebration of all Black voices but please see the rules before you submit: https://filmfreeway.com/blackxfilmfestival

10/06/2021

CALLING ALL QU**RS: Sunday 6/13 @ 12pm, outside the Brooklyn Museum of Art

- An action for trans youth. This is a rally and march.

This is a state of emergency. Trans youth are under attack, show up fight back. The revolution is now. No permit, no working with cops.

*No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.*

Wear white and a mask.

Art by

In support of:

17/05/2021

YOU’RE INVITED!

Black X Speaks is the Black X Film Festival’s free speaker series leading up to our 3-day festival; September 17-19, 2021. The Black X team brings writers, directors, actors, producers, and others involved in film and television directly to you for engaging panel discussions.

‘Indies Through A Black Lens’ takes a look at the Black creators making independent film and television that reflects the times, culture, and creative vision of the Black African diaspora.

MODERATOR
Shane Watson, Filmmaker and Photographer

PANELISTS
Alan Nettles, Director and Writer
Gleana Albritton, Director, Producer, and Writer

RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/IndieBlackX

This event is free but donations are welcome via our GoFundMe. See our website for more.

07/04/2021

Hi! Just a reminder we’re still accepting submissions for Black X Film Festival (like us if you haven’t already) 2021.
⁠
The Black X Film Festival is a 3-day film festival started by a collective of Black artists and accomplices to showcase Black creators. Through providing this free event of music and film, we showcase the radical multifaceted expressions of the Black experience by centering Black resilience and a commitment to anti-racism. All films selected by the judges are guaranteed an online showing with the potential for an in-person screening as conditions allow.⁠
⁠
Black X 2020 by the numbers:⁠
- 10 countries in attendance ⁠
- 400+ attendees ⁠
- 9.3/10 satisfaction rating from attendees ⁠
- Paid 20 independent Black creators ⁠
- Raised over $7,000 for organizations on the ground ⁠
- Over 80% of our featured creators were women or nonbinary⁠
⁠
SUBMIT HERE: https://filmfreeway.com/blackxfilmfestival

15/03/2021

We’re Black at it again! It’s time to submit your short or feature—of any genre—to the 2021 Black X Film Festival. We had an amazing time in 2020 so we had to do it in 2021.

The Black X Film Festival is a three-day film festival started by a collective of Black artists and allies to showcase Black creators. Through providing this free event of music and film, we showcase the radical multifaceted expressions of the Black experience by centering Black resilience and a commitment to anti-racism. All films selected by the judges are guaranteed an online showing with the potential for an in-person screening as conditions allow.

SUBMIT HERE ➔ https://filmfreeway.com/blackxfilmfestival

We intentionally named the film festival, BLACK X, to play into the multiplicity of meanings of ‘X’; where X may be seen as an abbreviation of eXperience, a celebration of Black eXistence, and an homage to Malcolm X. ‘X’ is a crossroads offering the opportunity to choose to employ Black success as a revolution of social order, over the violent complacency that has shaped and characterized contemporary society.

Black X 2020 by the numbers:
- 10 countries in attendance
- 400+ attendees
- 9.3/10 satisfaction rating from attendees
- Paid 20 independent Black creators
- Raised over $7,000 for organizations on the ground
- Over 80% of our featured creators were women or nonbinary

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL ➔ https://www.bxfilmfest.com

11/03/2021

‘New Study Finds Undervaluing Of Black-Led Projects Costs Hollywood $10 Billion Annually’ via Deadline Hollywood

Read more - https://deadline.com/2021/03/mckinsey-and-company-study-black-led-projects-hollywood-diversity-inclusion-representation-1234711705/

06/03/2021

Here’s how editor Tariq Anwar create the rhythm between these characters in the film ‘One Night in Miami’.

Regina King's variety in staging and use of multi-cameras freed Anwar to maintain intimacy, and constantly change perspective.

01/03/2021

has come to a close but Black History is forever. Check out the NAACP Legal Defense Fund’s list of Black film, television, literature, music, and podcasts.

Learn more: http://naacpldf.org/our-people-our-culture

17/02/2021

We’re gearing up for the 2021 Black X Film Festival but first we want to let you know how funds raised in 2020 impacted Black filmmakers, Black creators, and viewers from all walks of life:

🌍 10 countries in attendance
✅ 9.3/10 satisfaction rating from attendees
👥 400+ attendees
💰 Paid 20 independent Black creators
🖤 Raised over $7,000 for charities doing work on the ground in support of Black lives
🎞 Over 80% of our featured creators were women or nonbinary

We want to be able to fund more creators and charities so WE'RE STARTING THIS YEAR'S GOAL AT $20,000! This number is a base, so we know we'll have enough to cover paying creators, giving to charities, and support operating costs. Anything above that will go towards the continuation and expansion of Black X. We have BIG plans, but need your support to make them come to fruition.

Many thanks to our supporters from last year, and future supporters! Congratulations again to everyone who made it into the festival, and to those who won prizes and laurels.

With gratitude,
The Black X Team

P.S. PLEASE share this campaign. If we generate enough buzz and donations in the first few days we'll have the opportunity to trend on GoFundMe, which will increase our success and support more of our goals!

LAST YEAR WE PAID OVER $4,000 TO FILMMAKERS AND OVER $7,000 TO NONPROFITS WHO … Black X Film Festival needs your support for Black X Film Festival 2021

06/02/2021

We’re back to work! More to come soon. Visit http://bxfilmfest.com to sign up for news about the Black X Film Festival; September 17-19, 2021.

03/02/2021

🚨 TONIGHT! BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL premieres, February 3rd, 2021 @ 8:30pm EST LIVE on ’s Facebook and YouTube channel.

Directed and choreographed by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, set to spoken word poetry and danced by the artists of Complexions.

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL celebrates the power, majesty and resilience of black people despite a history of racial injustice. COMPLEXIONS aims to pay tribute to people of color by offering hope through its message of awareness, and advocacy for change.

.hiss

29/01/2021

Rest in light. You are an icon whose light will forever shine, Cicely Tyson (December 19, 1924 – January 28, 2021).

11/01/2021

Congratulations again, Redacted - The Documentary!

19/12/2020

TODAY • 12/19/2020, 7-9pm EST

Care in Action is hosting a text-a-thon with partners and YOU to take action leading up to the Georgia Senate runoffs -- the outcome of which will determine if domestic workers, immigrant families, and caregivers will receive pandemic and economic relief in the new year.

Care in Action’s Executive Director Jess Morales Rocketto will kick off the text-a-thon, followed by a text training, and as we text away and make sure women of color in Georgia have what they need to vote!

🚨 Visit for more info and to sign up 🚨

24/11/2020

Netflix has pulled ‘Chappelle’s Show’ after its creator, comedian Dave Chapelle, demanded fans refrain from watching it because he wasn’t paid for it to be streamed via the network.

Netflix pulls Chappelle's Show from service.

14/11/2020

We are not out hair but Black hair matters. Love the time the team took to create authentic hairstyles for the Victorian era.

“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” from director David E. Talbert and John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co., is among an increasing number of new Christmas movies that revolve around Black character…

12/11/2020

This is not how you end racism in the USA.

The first trailer for the upcoming indie film The Ride has...

03/11/2020

Today is November 3, 2020 and it is the day of one of the most important elections in the history of the United States. Here’s what you should bring to the polls according to :
• Hand sanitizer
• Your mask
• ID (just in case and if you’re in a state that does day-of registration)
• Your voice
• A snack

We’re adding a pen, patience, and empathy to the list. Bring your own pen for the sake of sanitization. For some it will take just a few minutes to vote. For others it may take one or more hours. Be patient, our democracy depends on it. Your vote affects others so make your choice with empathy top of mind.

The second slide highlights states where you can register to vote TODAY!

PASS IT ON!!!

P.S. We know voting for president isn’t for everyone but the Senate, House of Reps, local positions, and propositions matter too.

02/11/2020

Nia DaCosta is set to be the first Black woman to direct a Marvel film.

“Captain Marvel 2” is being directed by filmmaker Nia DaCosta, thereby making her the first Black woman to direct a Marvel Studios movie.

16/10/2020

“Gleana Albritton is a producer, pop culture writer and reformed marketer who worked for years as a digital media and marketing exec at AMC Networks International, Twitter, A+E and fuse TV. In 2017, she launched Sisu Media Group, a production company devoted to creating, developing and producing content for and about women.

She's also the communications chair for the Alliance of Women Directors - Atlanta, an associate programmer for the Bentonville Film Festival, and a member of the The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, JTC List/ Women Of Color Unite, and Digital Cinema Society.”

Also, why we love high school dramas

15/10/2020

This is disappointing news; the series was casted and had a 10-episode deal.

“The limited series had been a longtime passion project of Lupita Nyong’o who was set to star in and executive produce the adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s best-selling novel of the same name. Nyong’o’s Black Panther co-star Danai Gurira wrote the pilot and was to serve as showrunner.”

Americanah will not be moving forward at HBO Max. The limited series had been a longtime passion project of Lupita Nyong’o who was set to star in and executive produce the adaptation of Chima…

04/10/2020