The Diaspora Festival of Black and Independent Film, hosted annually at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the works of Black and independent filmmakers.
At its core, the festival serves to illuminate the multifaceted narratives within the Black diaspora. The curated selection of films encompasses a wide range of genres, including documentaries, narrative features, short films, and experimental projects. These cinematic creations delve deep into the realms of African American history, culture, contemporary issues, and the broader global Black experience.
A distinctive feature of the Diaspora Festival is its commitment to fostering meaningful discourse and critique. In addition to screenings, the Diaspora Festival hosts illuminating discussions, panels, and Q&A sessions with filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals. This interaction not only enhances audiences' understanding of the creative process but also offers a unique opportunity to critically examine the stories portrayed on screen.
Throughout its existence, the Festival has played a pivotal role in spotlighting cinematic voices, forging community, and facilitating a deeper understanding of Diasporic cultures and history through the lens of independent cinema. The Diaspora Film Festival continues to stand as a vibrant cultural forum, bridging the worlds of film, art, and education while celebrating the diverse stories and experiences of the Black diaspora.
The 2023 edition of the Diaspora Festival of Black and Independent Film features the following screening lineup and schedule:
Screening 1: October 3 | 6:00PM
FAITH IN BLACKNESS: AN EXPLORATION OF AFROLATINE SPIRITUALITY (27)
ARE WE THERE YET (36)
ASSAMAN (15)
Screening 2: October 5 | 6:00PM
OVERSIGHT (16)
DON'T FORGET THE CHAMPAGNE (15)
HATS (10)
ROADS TO LAVA (27)
GROMOMON (12)
Screening 3 (w/ASC): October 10 | 6:00PM
CONFIRMATION (12)
LIJEN (MY CHILD) - (17)
THEM THAT PREY (13)
PEARLS (13)
GRATITUDE MY FATHER, OBALUAE (5)
Screening 4 (w/ASC): October 17 | 6:00PM
THE PROMISE (72)
DAWN (10)
Screening 5 (w/Black Communities Conference): October 24 | 6:00PM
DIGGIN IN (40)
BIKING WHILE BLACK (29)
THE ORCHESTERA CHUCK BUILT (23)
Screening 6: October 26 | 6:00PM
PILLOW (6)
DAY 6 (36)
BITE OF BENIN (36)
Screening 7 (Lunchtime): November 2 | 12:05PM
I.T.I (IGNOARE THE IGNORANCE) - 8
CONQUITO (15)
BEAUTY MARK (5)
MONOCHROMATIC (13)
MUTE (6)
INTERSECTIONALITY (15)
PEDIGREE (8)
All screenings will take place in the Stone Center's Hitchcock Multipurpose Room. A brief comments/Q&A and audience reaction may follow the screenings. All screenings are FREE and open the public.
Film Synopses Available Here!