Fine NOLA Films
The Black Film Festival of New Orleans is a two week event, running from August 18 until September 2, that showcases, honors, and celebrates local, New-Orleans based, Black films and filmmakers.
The eight-fun filled days of film screenings and live performances are free-entry and open to anyone who wishes to enjoy. So grab some popcorn and your favorite candy, because the Black Film Festival of New Orleans is excited to invite you to enjoy these films! Below is the order of films screened in the upcoming week.
Sunday, August 18 - Opening Night
The festival begins at the Broadside Theater with a screening of the first episode of The Baddest Alive, a docuseries about local rapper and performer 504fiend. Running from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., the evening will host live performances from New Orleans-native artists Casme, Rahim Glaspy, Vegas Cola, Anjelika Jelly Joseph, and Jason Neville.
Tuesday, August 20 - New Orleans Night
Showing a selection of 10 short films, the festival continues from 5:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. at the Curate Lounge. Titled "New Orleans Night," this evening will display local projects, multiple of which have been nominated for Best New Orleans Project.
Wednesday, August 21 - BFFNO Night
Café Istanbul invites film-fans to enjoy New Orleans-based films such as Cut Me if You Can, Community Portraits, and other work-in-progress films. Screenings run from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m., and there will also be a Q&A after the first film with actress Djaka Souare.
Thursday, August 22 - Visiting Filmmakers & Award Nominated Documentaries
A jam-packed day, films will begin screening at 11 a.m. and will continue until 10 p.m. The Thursday matinee will present visiting filmmakers at Café Istanbul from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Showing Young Steppas (written and directed by Jasmine Edwards) at 11:15 a.m., Freak Like Me (written and directed by Neshelle Noelle) at 12:30 p.m., followed by a collection of short films at 2:15 p.m., the afternoon will showcase a wide array of entertainment options.
Later that evening, award-nominated documentaries will be hosted at the Andre Cailloux Center, presenting Remember Me at 6:15 p.m., Driving the Green Book at 7:30 p.m. with a post-film Q&A with the filmmaker, and The Final Round at 8:30 p.m. accompanied by another Q&A session with the filmmaker.
Friday, August 23 - Visiting Filmmakers & Award Nominated Narratives
Continuing in the same fashion as Thursday, the matinee will resume presenting visiting filmmakers at Café Istanbul from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The day will be beginning with Mosiah (written and directed by Jirard) at 11:15 a.m., then Beyond the Label (written and directed by Aleisha Down) at 12:15 p.m., and followed by another collection of short films at 2:15 p.m.
Returning back to the Andre Cailloux Center, films will continue to be showcased from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. At 6:15 p.m., Yellow Circus will be shown, with a post-film Q&A with its filmmaker. Then at 8 p.m., the night will finish with a vast array of award nominated short films.
Saturday, August 24 - Award Nominated Animation & Award Nominated Short Docs
The weekend will begin with a selection of award nominated animation films exhibited at the Andre Cailloux Center, including: Olivia and the Kingdom of Winged Thing, Popcorn Kids, and Ameka and Her Magical Crown. Each will be followed by a Q&A with their filmmakers.
Further into the afternoon, award nominated short docs will also be shown. Starting at 1 p.m. at the Andre Cailloux Center, Crossfire Love (alongside a post-film Q&A with its filmmaker), More Than You See, and City of Kings will be screened.
Sunday, August 25 - Award Ceremony
The week of film screenings will conclude with an awards ceremony at 7 p.m. hosted by the Jazz and Heritage Foundation.
Monday, August 26 - BFFNO Extended
Extending the celebration, Café Istanbul will display collaborative screenings from Life or Death: the Silky Slim Story, Black Girls Play, and a final private screening of Diedra Meredith Film, ending with another filmmaker Q&A.
With a diverse selection of films to choose from, you're guaranteed to find something that you can enjoy. For more information and to stay up to date on films screened, visit the festival's website.
