Inaugural Film Festival for HBCU Announced 

For decades, the nation has looked to HBCU for its next generation of Black leaders, politicians, entertainers, jurists, and authors. 

HBCU Week NOW, a public media partnership project offering films about the incredible impact and contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, is announcing the launch of its inaugural Student Film Festival and is seeking submissions. 

The virtual festival, which will premiere during Black History Month in 2026, is seeking short films created by HBCU students. The Harlem-based national media arts nonprofit Black Public Media will administer the open call for the project. 

The HBCU Week NOW Student Film Festival, a celebration of creativity, innovation and storytelling by the next generation of filmmakers from HBCUs, seeks submissions of completed films in all genres, with a special focus on stories reflecting Black experiences, culture and history. 

Ten short films of up to 30 minutes will be selected, with each filmmaking team receiving $5,000. Submissions are due by Saturday, April 12, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Find the submission link at: https://bit.ly/HBCUWNSFFOpenCall. 

Eligible filmmakers are currently enrolled HBCU students and recent graduates (from the last three years). Students do not have to be enrolled in a film program.

HBCU faculty members and administrators are encouraged to share this opportunity with their students and networks, facilitate resources (such as providing access to equipment, workshops, or mentorship to help students prepare their submissions) and to nominate talent by encouraging participation.

An information webinar was scheduled for Thursday, March 13, at 2 p.m. EDT. To register or for more information, visit: https://bit.ly/HBCUWNSFFOpenCall. A recording of the webinar will be posted and available at the link.

“We welcome this opportunity to partner with HBCU Week Now to identify and amplify young talent and their stories,” said Qiona Woffard, director of talent development at BPM. “We look forward to helping push the new voices of the film community to the forefront with this exciting new festival.” 

Those with questions should contact Woffard at qiona@blackpublicmedia.org.

The #HBCUWeekNOW story is made possible through a public media partnership led by Maryland Public Television with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS. 

BPM is a national nonprofit that funds quality film and immersive work, develops creatives and produces and distributes original content.

For more information on Black Public Media, visit www.blackpublicmedia.org or follow the organization at @blackpublicmedia on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.