HBCU Week NOW and Black Public Media (BPM) are partnering to launch the first-ever HBCU Week NOW Student Film Festival, a new initiative designed to support student filmmakers from historically Black colleges and universities. According to a press release shared with Black Enterprise, the virtual festival is scheduled to take place during Black History Month in February 2026.
The festival is now accepting submissions from students currently enrolled at HBCUs or those who have graduated within the past three years. Submissions are open to all genres, but the organizers are especially interested in films that explore themes tied to Black culture, history, and everyday experiences. Films must be no longer than 30 minutes.
Ten short films will be selected for the final showcase, and each filmmaking team will receive a $5,000 award to support their project. The goal is to offer HBCU students a platform to develop their storytelling abilities and present their creative work to broader audiences. Participants are not required to be enrolled in a film program to apply.
Qiona Woffard, Director of Talent Development at Black Public Media, emphasized the organization’s interest in working with young creators. “We welcome this opportunity to partner with HBCU Week NOW to identify and amplify young talent and their stories,” she said. “We look forward to helping push the new voices of the film community to the forefront with this exciting new festival.”
On March 13, BPM hosted a webinar for students interested in learning more about the submission process and eligibility requirements. HBCU faculty and staff are being encouraged to inform students about the opportunity and to provide support such as access to equipment, workshops, and mentorship as students prepare their submissions.
The deadline to submit films is April 12, 2025.
Black Public Media, a nonprofit based in Harlem, has been involved in supporting underrepresented voices in film and media for nearly five decades. Its work includes developing new talent, producing original content, and distributing projects through public media channels. Over the years, BPM-supported productions have earned recognition from organizations such as the Emmys, the Peabody Awards, and the Academy Awards.
