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Shaudi is a Seattle-based musician, theatre artist, writer and social media marketing specialist. She holds degrees from Berklee College of Music and the University of Washington School of Drama.
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Are you a BIPOC creator with a project you’re ready to share with the world? Chances are, you’re already compiling a list of festivals to submit your film to.
Here are a few more BIPOC-centered festivals to consider. The festivals on this list were created by and for many different communities within the larger BIPOC community. Some are long-running, some are new to the scene. What they all share is the potential to spotlight your work for wider audience reach.
Make sure to check each festival’s website for specific rules and eligibility requirements. Let’s dive in!
Dates: April 25–28, 2024
Established in 2003 as the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival, the Seattle Black Film Festival screens films in two historic Seattle venues.
Deadline entry date: 2025 deadlines have not yet been announced, but October 23, 2023 (Earlybird), November 21, 2023 (Regular) were the previous deadlines. Follow Seattle Black Film Festival on social media for upcoming dates.
Deadline entry fee: $45. Discounts for early bird entries, local filmmakers, students and youth.
Dates: May 16, 2024
This is the first year for the Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival. This BIPOC film festival currently accepts short films (between four and 10 minutes) that have been completed in the last two years, and directed by a woman, trans, or non-binary filmmaker of African descent.
Deadline entry date: 2025 deadlines have not yet been announced, but December 16, 2023 (Earlybird), January 13, 2024 (Regular), February 17, 2024 (Late) were the previous deadlines. Follow Dayton Black Women's Film Festival on social media for upcoming dates.
Deadline entry fee: $8 (Earlybird), $10 (Regular), $12 (Late). Discounts for students and FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: June 12–16, 2024
Head to Miami for the Oscar-qualifying American Black Film Festival, now in its 28th year. In addition to film screenings, the BIPOC film festival hosts industry panels, classes and parties.
Deadline entry date: November 15, 2023 (Earlybird), February 28, 2024 (Regular)
Deadline entry fee: $30 (Earlybird), $75 (Regular). Discounts for FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: June 20–23, 2024
The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! company, best known for their celebrity-studded annual awards ceremony, held their first BGR! FILM FEST in 2023.
They’ve made some changes for their second year, including moving the festival to Atlanta to be part of the larger BGR! Experience.
Deadline entry date: March 29, 2024 (Earlybird), April 29, 2024 (Regular)
Deadline entry fee: Narrative features are $70 (Earlybird), $85 (Regular). Fees vary for other categories. Discounts for filmmakers 25 and under and for FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: July 4–7, 2024
The ESSENCE Film Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana is in its third year. A project of Essence Studios, the festival is open to a wide range of submission types, from narratives to animation to podcasts.
Deadline entry date: 2025 deadlines have not yet been announced, but December 31, 2023 (Earlybird), January 31, 2024 (Regular), February 29, 2024 (Late) were the previous deadlines. Follow ESSENCE Film Festival on social media for announcements.
Deadline entry fee: $35 (Earlybird), $50 (Regular), $100 (Late). Discounts for FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: July 10–14, 2024
The Newark Black Film Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, making it the longest-running festival on this list. Spike Lee, Ava DuVernay, and Barry Jenkins are among the legendary filmmakers who had their early work shown at the festival.
Deadline entry date: 2025 deadlines have not yet been announced, but January 22, 2024 (Earlybird), February 19, 2024 (Regular), March 10, 2024 (Late) were the previous deadlines. Follow Newark Black Film Festival on social media for all the updates.
Deadline entry fee: $25 (Earlybird), $45 (Regular), $65 (Late)
Dates: August 1–11, 2024
Like the previous entry on this list, the Asian American International Film Festival has been running since the 1970s. In addition to film screenings from around the world, the BIPOC film festival hosts networking events and panels.
Deadline entry date: 2025 deadlines have not yet been announced, but February 1, 2024 (Earlybird), March 1, 2024 (Regular), April 1, 2024 (Late) were the previous deadlines. Sign up for the newsletter (scroll to the bottom of the website) to stay in the loop.
Deadline entry fee: For Narrative and Documentary Features, $35 (Earlybird), $45 (Regular), and $60 (Late). Discounts for other film categories, as well as for students, youth, and FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: August 1–4, 2024
The Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying BlackStar Film Festival prioritizes work “that is experimental in its aesthetics, content, and form.” Black, Brown, and Indigenous filmmakers are invited to submit their work.
Deadline entry date: 2025 deadlines have not yet been announced, but February 1, 2024 (Earlybird), March 1, 2024 (Preferred), April 1, 2024 (Late) were the previous dates. Follow BlackStar Film Festival on social media for updates.
Deadline entry fee: $25 (Earlybird), $35 (Preferred), $45 (Late). Discounts available for students and FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: September 16–22, 2024
The New York Latino Film Festival is presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and has been screening films since 1999. In addition to the festival, their programming includes community events and competitions.
Deadline entry date: March 22, 2024 (Earlybird), April 21, 2024 (Regular)
Deadline entry fee: For narrative features from the US, $50 (Earlybird) and $55 (Regular). Discounts for other film categories, as well as for FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: September 26–29, 2024
Hispanic Heritage Month also brings the Georgia Latino International Film Festival, an Afro-Latino curated nonprofit organization. Since its 2011 inception, the festival has grown impressively from 150 attendees to more than 1,500.
Deadline entry date: April 11, 2024 (Earlybird), July 31, 2024 (Regular)
Deadline entry fee: US Latino/Hispanic Feature Films are $50 (Earlybird), $75 (Regular). There are higher fees for non-Latino/Hispanic submissions. Discounts for FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: October 3–7, 2024
The Baltimore International Black Film Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. The festival is produced by SOGAA, a nonprofit “for black men who love men,” and the festival features work by filmmakers of the African diaspora as well as “members of the Same Gender Loving – Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (SGL-LGBT) communities.”
Deadline entry date: December 15, 2023 (Earlybird), February 15, 2024 (Regular), April 15, 2024 (Late), June 15, 2024 (Extended Deadline), August 15, 2024 (Late Extended Deadline), September 15, 2024 (FilmFreeway Extended Deadline)
Deadline entry fee: For a narrative feature, $40 (Earlybird), $50 (Regular), $60 (Late), $70 (Extended), $85 (Late Extended), $75 (FilmFreeway Extended). Fees vary for other categories, and there are discounts for youth and FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: October 4–12, 2024
The volunteer-run, nonprofit Seattle Latino Film Festival turns 16 this year. The festival partners with groups like Microsoft, Delta Airlines & Aeromexico, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to present its annual programming.
Deadline entry date: March 18, 2024 (Earlybird), June 28, 2024 (Regular)
Deadline entry fee: For a narrative feature, $25 (Earlybird), $30 (Regular). Fees vary for other categories, and there are discounts for youth and FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: October 11–13, 2024
The Black Alphabet Film Festival promotes the work of filmmakers from the Black LGBTQ/SGL+ community. The Chicago-based festival aims to provide a safe, nurturing space for Black LGBTQ+ artists.
Deadline entry date: July 1, 2024 (Regular), August 15, 2024 (Late)
Deadline entry fee: $15 (Regular), $25 (Late). There are discounts available for students.
Dates: November 1–30, 2024
The Red National International Film Festival and Awards were founded in 1995 to promote the work of American Indian and Indigenous international independent filmmakers. The festival awards ceremony is streamed live on the Red Nation Television Network.
Deadline entry date: May 1, 2024 (Earlybird), July 31, 2024 (Regular)
Deadline entry fee: $25 (Earlybird), $35 (Regular). Fees vary for other categories.
Dates: November 1–9, 2024
Founded in 1979, the American Indian Film Festival is one of the longest-running festivals on this list. The San Francisco-based BIPOC film festival includes panels, awards, and fireside chats.
Deadline entry date: May 1, 2024 (Earlybird), July 31, 2024 (Regular)
Deadline entry fee: For a narrative feature, $25 (Earlybird), $35 (Regular). Fees vary for other categories.
Dates: November 7–14, 2024
Launched in 1996 by the Arab Film and Media Institute, the Arab Film Festival has in-person screenings across both Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as virtually.
Deadline entry date: June 26, 2024 (Regular), July 17, 2024 (Late)
Deadline entry fee: For a narrative feature, $10 (Regular), $40 (Late). Fees vary for other categories, and there are discounts for Film Freeway Gold Members.
Dates: November 19–24, 2024
The Los Angeles Skins Festival (LA SKINS FEST) is held every November at the historic Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. This BIPOC film festival hosts special events for writers, actors, and youth interested in film.
Deadline entry date: April 17, 2024 (Earlybird), June 16, 2024 (Regular), July 17, 2024 (Late), August 15, 2024 (Final)
Deadline entry fee: For a narrative feature, $50 (Earlybird), $65 (Regular), $80 (Late), $125 (Final). Fees vary for other categories, and there are discounts for students.
Dates: February 4–17, 2025
This Oscar-qualifying Los Angeles BIPOC film festival is one of the longest-running on the list. Since its 1992 founding, The Pan African Film Festival has established itself as “the largest Black film and arts festival and Black History Month activation in the United States.”
Deadline entry date: June 2, 2024 (Earlybird), July 31, 2024 (Regular), August 30, 2024 (Late)
Deadline entry fee: For features, $65 (Earlybird), $85 (Regular), $115 (Late). Fees vary for other categories.
Dates: February 20–22, 2025
In addition to screening work from filmmakers of color from around the world, The Virginia Black Film Festival features masterclasses and panels with industry experts.
Deadline entry date: July 1, 2024
Deadline entry fee: $40
Dates: March 2025 (TBD)
The BIPOC Pop Animation Festival is the film wing of BIPOC Pop, an Austin event that brings together professionals in the comic, gaming, animation, and multimedia arts industries. They accept short and feature animated films from BIPOC artists at any career stage.
Deadline entry date and fee: The 2024 festival just wrapped, and 2025 dates aren’t yet announced. Follow BIPOC Pop on social media for announcements on upcoming due dates!
Dates: March 2025 (TBD)
This short film competition is an Atlanta event hosted by the Black Women Film Network, a nonprofit that’s been championing and supporting Black women in film since 1997. We featured the group on our list of the best entertainment networking groups for BIPOC.
Deadline entry date: The 2024 festival recently wrapped, and 2025 deadlines have not yet been announced. Follow Black Women Film Network on social media to make sure you don’t miss deadline announcements.
Deadline entry fee: $25 (Regular), $35 (Late)
We hope you’ve found some new BIPOC film festival due dates to add to your calendar. While you’re in research mode, take a look at our list of the best filmmaking grants for people of color.
For inspiration on navigating the industry as a BIPOC filmmaker, check out our latest On Production podcast episode, featuring producer Shant Joshi. As president of Fae Pictures, Joshi has been instrumental in promoting work that champions BIPOC and queer stories. Listen to his thoughts on what it takes to decolonize Hollywood while you work on your festival submissions!
