The School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center has announced the lineup for the 30th anniversary of the Black Harvest Film Festival. The festival will take place from November 8 to November 21, celebrating three decades of Black filmmakers and storytelling across the African diaspora.
This year’s festival will feature over 75 first-time Chicago premieres, including 13 feature films and 10 short programs from 18 different countries. The event aims to amplify marginalized voices and showcase award-winning films, according to *Reel Chicago*.
In honor of the festival’s milestone, a special “DIRTY 30s” shorts program will reflect on life’s humor, challenges, and complexities in one’s thirties, mirroring the festival’s journey over the past 30 years. Attendees can expect exclusive screenings, thoughtful discussions, and celebratory receptions to commemorate three decades of Black Harvest.
“As we celebrate 30 years of Black storytelling, we honor the legacy of voices and visions that have brought us to this moment,” said Black Harvest Film Festival Lead Curator Jada-Amina. “Each film in this year’s lineup offers a powerful connection across time and space, reminding us of the stories that shaped our past and the visions that will inspire our future.”
NBC Chicago entertainment reporter LeeAnn Trotter will emcee the opening night, which will feature a showcase of selected short films. The evening will also include the announcement of the Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Black Harvest Film Festival and the Sergio Mims Prize for Excellence in Black Filmmaking award winners.
Throughout the festival, more than 50 filmmakers will participate in discussions following their screenings. Notable films include *The Debutantes*, *Jimmy*, and *Ernest Cole: Lost and Found*.
