The festival's mission is to celebrate African American cinema and the African cultural Diaspora and to showcase a diverse collection of films - from emerging and established filmmakers that highlight the beauty and complexity of the African and African American experience. Our film selections highlight the richness of Black culture while recognizing universal themes and the similarities that exist among all cultures.
Narrative features, documentaries, shorts, animation, experimental, youth-produced works and television productions on film, video and digital media, which have been completed after January 1, 2004, may be submitted.
Films should be written and directed by an African American or feature African Americans in prominent roles.
The San Francisco Black Film Festival also promotes and celebrates the work of visionary filmmakers with a special award competition. Established in the name of producer, actor and director Melvin Van Peebles, the Maverick Award acknowledges emerging filmmakers for taking the types of risks required to present unique and authentic images of Blacks on film.