2024 Newark Black Film Festival
2024 NBFF
Celebrate 50 Years of Cinematic Brilliance at the 2024 Newark Black Film Festival
July 10-14, 2024
(Additional Screenings: June 19 & 26)
Save the dates for an extraordinary cinematic experience at the 50th annual Newark Black Film Festival, America’s longest-standing celebration of Black cinema. Join us in honoring a half-century of remarkable storytelling and artistic innovation through the lens of groundbreaking filmmakers.
Since its inception in 1974, the Newark Black Film Festival has been a platform for young, independent Black filmmakers, featuring early works from legends like Spike Lee, Ayoka Chenzira, Warrington and Reginald Hudlin, Barry Jenkins, and Ava DuVernay.
In 2024, we continue this legacy with exclusive screenings of films from the last three years, live in-person panel discussions with filmmakers, and throwback screenings of classics.
Stay tuned for ticket sales.
Film Submissions
Call for Trailblazers: Your Story Matters Here
Dare to be a part of history! Submit your short or feature-length films to be considered for the 50th Newark Black Film Festival. Join a prestigious lineage of storytellers in the following categories:
- Long Narrative
- Short Narrative
- Long Documentary
- Short Documentary
- Experimental
- Web Series
- Next Generation (Social media content)
Find more information and submission details on our Film Freeway page.
- Earlybird entry ($25)
Deadline – Monday, January 22 - Regular entry ($45)
Deadline – Monday, February 19 - Late entry ($65)
Deadline – Friday, March 8
Submissions are now closed. Selections will be announced soon!
Rules & Terms
Original films released since January 2021 will be considered. Films must be directed by a person who identifies as Black or must tell a story of the Black experience. We prefer non-commercial or independent films over which the filmmaker has had control of the finished piece. Films produced for or shown on television or online are eligible if they meet the above criteria. The length of selected works may dictate screening durations.
Films produced in other languages or countries may be entered if they have an English-language soundtrack or subtitles and meet the above criteria. Entrants indemnify The Newark Museum of Art/Newark Black Film Festival against possible copyright infringement resulting from the screening or exhibition of works.
Paul Robeson Awards
Celebrating New Voices in Cinema
Honoring the legacy of legendary Paul Robeson, these awards spotlight up-and-coming Black filmmakers. Winners receive $500, with a grand prize of $1000 for the festival’s most notable film.
Archive
Sponsors
This program is supported by" NJEDA and Tito's Handmade Vodka
