Since 2004, the Stone Center’s annual Diaspora Festival of Black and Independent Film has been showcasing films from all corners of the African diaspora including several films making their North Carolina and US premieres at the festival. Diaspora Film Festival screenings are marked by lively post-screening Q&A, in-depth commentary, critique, and contextualization with filmmakers, scholars and attendees.
Over the years, the festival has forged lasting partnerships and collaboration with various campus and community co-sponsors. These include the African Studies Center, the African, African-American and Diaspora Studies Department (AAADS), the Women and Gender Studies Department, The History Department, the Center for the Study of the American South (CSAS), the Alliance (Carolina Latinx, American Indian, and Asian-American Centers), Ngozi Design Collective, the Hayti Heritage Center, the Rogers-Eubanks Community Center, Palace International and Providence 1898, among others.
The 2025 edition of Diaspora Film Festival will feature about two dozen films of all genres selected from more than a hundred submissions from around the world. A special screening on November 20th, in collaboration with the American Indian Center, features LUMBEELAND, a short film exploring drug culture’s impact on a Native American community.
Screenings on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 | 12:05PM are as follows:
MAMAYA
Dir: Prince Adablah | Short | Ghana/Guinea (2025) | 10 MIN
A fearless Guinean drummer and singer breaks centuries-old taboos to rise on the world stage—and brings her rhythm to Austin in a powerful journey of resistance
and rhythm.
MAWONS – SOLITUDE (MAROONS)
Dirs: Bp Neneb, Christophe Agelan | Short | Martinique (2025) | 19 MIN
In 1802, after Napoleon reinstated slavery in the French colonies, escaped Black and mixed-race slaves fled into the forests of the Caribbean. These maroons formed hidden mountain communities. Among them, Solitude, a young woman of mixed heritage, seeks refuge. But one day beneath the canopy, a violent encounter will force her to confront her past—and shape the future of their fragile resistance. Inspired by a true story of resilience and sacrifice.
THE MOST QUIET NOISE (Featured image above)
Dir: Joanne Flovella | Short | USA (2025) | 7 MIN
A young woman perpetually distracted by social media is set on a new course when she finds out she gains a supernatural ability.
LOCUS
Dir: C S DeBose | Short | USA (2025) | 6 MIN
A poetic narrative of a woman’s reluctant search to find a tree that may turn out to be a site of power – connecting her to the family she drifted away from long ago. Told as a series of inner musings and phone calls.
GUARDIAN OF THE WELL
Dirs: Bentley Brown, Tahir Ben Mahamat Zene | Documentary | Chad (2025) | 5 MIN
Amid a historic drought in the southern reaches of Chad’s Sahara Desert, a well-goer recalls his lost cattle and contemplates his plans for a change in livelihood.
A NEW CREATION STORY
Dirs: Dane Figueroa Edidi, J Mase III, Audria LB | Short | USA 2025) | 5 MIN
Since the ancient world, Creation Stories have been told to help us not simply imagine the way the world was formed, but our divine place within it. Blending animation, poetry, music, stories rooted in various cultures and live elements, A New Creation Story celebrates Black Trans community and retells the making of the Universe — taking us on a journey from before the first molecule was crafted until the precise moment where everything has truly come to be.
All screenings are free and open to the public. Unless otherwise stated, all screenings will take place on site in the Stone Center’s Hitchcock Multipurpose Room (150 South Rd, Chapel Hill, Room 111).
RSVP now: https://heellife.unc.edu/event/11602431