The Black Film Festival of New Orleans

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March 13 - 26

View our full lineup of 2023 film screenings and events.

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Festival Lineup

We’re hosting festival events for March 13 – 26. View our email newsletter for details.

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Free Filmmaker Workshops

We have some amazing workshops for you for free courtesy of our sponsors at NOVAC. There is limited capacity so sign up quickly!

Producing and Budgeting for Narrative Film with Paul Fishback

Special Effects Makeup Workshop

Producing & Budgeting Workshop

"Great Celebration"

Thank you for hosting an inspiring festival. The films were diverse and top-notch, and it was a great celebration of the talented filmmakers. The festival volunteers are so friendly and passionate about filmmaking. Another special element was the organizers emphasis in engaging the city. The Black Film Festival of New Orleans captures the spirit and culture of the city.

Paul Fishback via FilmFreeway

"Welcoming"

As a New Orleans based filmmaker, I was very excited to see so much work by local filmmakers, but there were also talented artists from all over the country. Gian went out of his way to be welcoming of everyone, and to make sure time in New Orleans was well spent. In addition to bringing together artists from all over, this was a very nurturing event for the local film community.

Rachel Grissom via FilmFreeway

"Culturally Rich Experience"

Festival Director Gian Smith cooked up a culturally rich experience for us Black Film Festival of New Orleans filmmakers! In addition to well attended screenings with in-depth Q&A sessions, he curated a weekend of activities that introduced us to the city's vibrant and diverse arts community - including one of the most impactful walking tours I've ever witnessed

Albert Lawrence via FilmFreeway

"Great Festival Experience"

Gian is one of the best festival directors out there, who really cares about filmmakers and being a filmmaker himself he understands how to put on a great festival experience.

Kevin A. Webb via FilmFreeway

"One of the Best"

So many masterpieces come out of this amazing festival every year! This is undoubtedly one of the best festivals in Louisiana to find a plethora of films brought to fruition by black filmmakers.

Charles Nowak via Facebook

"Culturally Relevant"

The Black Film Festival of New Orleans was amazing! The films were so culturally relevant and real. The quality of the works presented was superb!

Myesha Francis via Facebook

"Long Overdue"

This Festival is long overdue. The Quality of the Films were incredible the venues / atmosphere was warm and welcoming. It was perfect.

Ayo Scott via Facebook

From the Festival Director

Gian Smith, Festival Director for the Black Film Festival of New Orleans Our goals for Black Film Festival of New Orleans are two-fold. We are here to champion the accomplishment of film. It takes a lot of hands to complete a film or television project and we want to celebrate our filmmaking teams for bringing their vision to fruition. Locally, we’re focused on building a strong film community in New Orleans for today and beyond. We want our visiting filmmakers to feel at home, and we want them to keep in mind what we have to offer for their future creative endeavors.

BFFNO will also spotlight some of New Orleans’ most talented. Along with our New Orleans filmmakers block, we’ll have entertainment by local performers at our awards ceremony and field trips for the visiting filmmakers including an African American themed French Quarter walking tour by KnowNOLA tours.

The best thing about BFFNO is that it is and will always be free and open to the public! We simply want the New Orleans film community to have the best opportunity to succeed.