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Getting your film in front of the right audience can make all the difference.
Whether you’re looking for exposure, distribution, or your next collaborator, the festival circuit is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal.
Below, you’ll find a curated list of standout BIPOC film festivals that celebrate storytelling across cultures and perspectives. Some are long-established, while others are quickly gaining momentum. However, they all offer the opportunity to connect with like-minded creators and screen your work for a thoughtful, engaged audience.
Make sure to check each festival’s website for specific rules and eligibility requirements. Let’s dive in!
Dates: July 4–6, 2025
The ESSENCE Film Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, is in its fourth year.
Presented in collaboration with Essence Studios, the festival is open to a wide range of submissions, from narrative features to animation and even podcasts.
Deadline entry date: The regular deadline just passed on April 15, 2025. However, the festival is still accepting submissions if you can secure a waiver code. May 16, 2025, is the official notification date.
Deadline entry fee: The entry fee for this film festival is $50 (standard). Discount available for FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: July 31–August 10, 2025
The Asian American International Film Festival has been running since the 1970s. The 2025 edition of this BIPOC film festival will be hybrid, featuring both in-person and VOD screenings.
Deadline entry date: Official deadlines have already passed. However, the fest is still accepting submissions via waiver codes. The official notification date is July 1, 2025.
Deadline entry fee: For narrative and documentary features, the fees are $38 (Earlybird), $48 (Regular), and $65 (Extended). Discounts are available for other film categories, as well as for students and FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: July 31–August 3, 2025
The Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying BlackStar Film Festival prioritizes work “that is experimental in its aesthetics, content, and form.” Black, Brown, and Indigenous filmmakers are invited to submit their work.
Deadline entry date: Submissions for the 2026 edition are not yet open, but February 1, 2025 (Earlybird), March 1, 2025 (Preferred), and April 1, 2025 (Late) were the previous deadlines. Follow BlackStar Film Festival to keep up with the film festival.
Deadline entry fee: $25 (Earlybird), $35 (Preferred), $45 (Late). Discounts are available for students and FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: August 29–31, 2025
Held over Labor Day weekend in Miami, the Urban Film Festival showcases culturally driven stories and emerging urban voices. With screenings, workshops, and panels, UFF offers filmmakers access to both industry insights and new audiences.
Deadline entry date: January 31, 2025 (Early Bird), March 1, 2025 (Black History Month), May 1, 2025 (Regular), June 20, 2025 (Better Late Than Never).
Deadline entry fee: Fees for the narrative feature category range from $20 (Early Bird), $30 (Black History Month), $35 (Regular), $40 (Better Late Than Never Deadline).
Dates: September 15–21, 2025
The New York Latino Film Festival is presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and has been screening films since 1999. In addition to the festival, their programming includes community events and competitions.
Deadline entry date: The submission deadline just passed, but the festival is still accepting submissions if you can obtain a waiver code. The notification date is August 8, 2025, so be sure to reach out ASAP.
Deadline entry fee: For narrative features from the US, $50 (Earlybird) and $55 (Regular).
Dates: September 27, 2025
Held in Newark, New Jersey, the Khem Animation Film Festival (KAFF) celebrates Black talent in animation, visual effects (VFX), and gaming. KAFF spotlights unique projects while championing minorities in the animation industry.
Deadline entry date: January 15, 2025 (Earlybird), February 15, 2025 (Regular), March 15, 2025 (Late), June 19, 2025 (Extended).
Deadline entry fee: To apply for the animated short category, consider the following prices: $30 (Early Bird), $45 (Regular), $55 (Late), $65 (Extended). Application fees for some other categories are discounted.
Dates: October 2–5, 2025
Hispanic Heritage Month also brings the Georgia Latino International Film Festival, an Afro-Latino curated nonprofit organization. Since its 2011 inception, the festival has grown impressively from 150 attendees to more than 1,500.
Deadline entry date: April 11, 2025 (Earlybird), July 31, 2025 (Regular)
Deadline entry fee: US Latino/Hispanic Feature Films are $50 (Earlybird), $75 (Regular). Fees are higher for non-Latino/Hispanic submissions. The festival also offers discounts for FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: October 3–7, 2025
The Baltimore International Black Film Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. The festival is produced by SOGAA, a nonprofit “for black men who love men,” and the festival features work by filmmakers of the African diaspora as well as “members of the Same Gender Loving – Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (SGL-LGBT) communities.”
Deadline entry date: December 15, 2024 (Earlybird), February 15, 2025 (Regular), April 15, 2025 (Late), June 15, 2025 (Extended Deadline), August 15, 2025 (Late Extended Deadline), September 15, 2025 (FilmFreeway Extended Deadline).
Deadline entry fee: For a narrative feature, $40 (Earlybird), $50 (Regular), $60 (Late), $70 (Extended), $85 (Late Extended), $75 (FilmFreeway Extended). Fees vary for other categories, with discounts for youth and FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: October 9–12, 2025
The Twin Cities Black Film Festival champions Black and multicultural voices through screenings, networking, and industry recognition. With HBO-backed awards and prizes from Sony, TCBFF offers filmmakers exposure, support, and a direct line to decision-makers.
Deadline entry date: July 1, 2025 (Regular).
Deadline entry fee: The general submission fee is $35 (Regular) across all categories.
Dates: October 10–18, 2025
The volunteer-run, nonprofit Seattle Latino Film Festival turns 17 this year. The festival partners with groups like Microsoft, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico, and the Seattle Art Museum to present its annual programming.
Deadline entry date: March 28, 2024 (Earlybird), June 13, 2025 (Late).
Deadline entry fee: For a narrative feature, $25 (Earlybird), $30 (Late). Fees vary for other categories, with discounts for youth and FilmFreeway Gold Members.
Dates: October 17–19, 2025
The Black Alphabet Film Festival promotes the work of filmmakers from the Black LGBTQ/SGL+ community. The Chicago-based festival aims to provide a safe, nurturing space for Black LGBTQ+ artists.
Deadline entry date: June 22, 2025 (Regular), July 18, 2025 (Late).
Deadline entry fee: $15 (Regular), $25 (Late). There are discounts available for students.
Dates: November 1–30, 2025
The Red Nation International Film Festival and Awards were founded in 1995 to promote the work of American Indian and independent Indigenous filmmakers. Some films screened at the festival receive a broadcast television release via the Red Nation Television Network. When it comes to BIPOC film festivals, few can compete with RNIFF.
Deadline entry date: May 1, 2025 (Earlybird), July 31, 2025 (Regular).
Deadline entry fee: $25 (Earlybird), $35 (Regular). Fees vary for other categories.
Dates: November 5–9, 2025
Now in its 29th year, the Urbanworld Film Festival brings premieres, panels, and powerhouse talent to New York City. A launchpad for multicultural storytellers, Urbanworld connects filmmakers with industry heavyweights and fosters innovation across the entertainment industry.
Deadline entry date: May 16, 2025 (Earlybird), June 30, 2025 (Regular), August 1, 2025 (Late), August 15, 2025 (Extended Final).
Deadline entry fee: For US and world narrative features, fees are as follows: $70 (Early Bird), $85 (Regular), $100 (Late), $115 (Extended Final).
Dates: November 6–15, 2025
The San Diego Asian Film Festival is one of the largest showcases of Pacific Islander and Asian American cinema in North America. From indie gems to international standouts, this BIPOC festival aims to celebrate the richness and range of Asian storytelling.
Deadline entry date: March 24, 2025 (Early Bird), April 21, 2025 (Regular), June 2, 2025 (Late), July 14, 2025 (Extended).
Deadline entry fee: For narrative features, fees are $35 (Early Bird), $40 (Regular), $50 (Late), $60 (Extended).
Dates: November 13–23, 2025
Launched in 1996 by the Arab Film and Media Institute, the Arab Film Festival is one of the longest-running indie film festivals in its niche. The festival’s mission is to champion authentic Arab filmmakers and culture.
Deadline entry date: June 27, 2025 (Regular), July 25, 2025 (Late)
Deadline entry fee: For a narrative feature, $10 (Regular), $40 (Late). Fees vary for other categories, with discounts available for Film Freeway Gold Members.
Dates: November 18–23, 2025
The Los Angeles Skins Festival (LA SKINS FEST) is held every November at the historic Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. This BIPOC film festival hosts special events for writers, actors, and youth interested in film.
Deadline entry date: April 1, 2025 (Earlybird), May 1, 2025 (Regular), June 1, 2025 (Late), July 1, 2025 (Final)
Deadline entry fee: For a narrative feature, $50 (Earlybird), $65 (Regular), $80 (Late), $125 (Final). Fees vary for other categories, and discounts are available for students.
Dates: February 9–16, 2026
This Oscar-qualifying Los Angeles BIPOC film festival is one of the longest-running on the list. Since its 1992 founding, The Pan African Film Festival has established itself as “the largest Black film and arts festival and Black History Month activation in the United States.”
Deadline entry date: May 31, 2025 (Earlybird), July 31, 2025 (Regular), August 31, 2025 (Late), September 30, 2025 (extended)
Deadline entry fee: For features, $70 (Earlybird), $95 (Regular), $125 (Late), $175 (extended). Fees vary for other categories.
Deadline entry fee: $40
Dates: 2026 (TBD)
This short film competition is an Atlanta event hosted by the Black Women Film Network, a nonprofit that’s been championing and supporting Black women in film since 1997. We featured the group on our list of the best entertainment networking groups for BIPOC.
Deadline dates: The 2025 edition of the festival recently wrapped, and 2026 deadlines have not yet been announced. Follow Black Women Film Network on social media to make sure you don’t miss deadline announcements.
Deadline entry fee: This past year’s submission fees were $35 (Earlybird), $45 (Regular), $65 (Late).
Dates: April 2026 (TBD)
Established in 2003 as the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival, the Seattle Black Film Festival screens films in two historic Seattle venues. The festival is a union of screenings, networking events, workshops, and industry panels.
Deadline entry date: 2026 deadlines have not yet been announced; however, the previous deadline was December 1, 2024 (Early Bird). Follow 206Langston on social media for updates.
Deadline entry fee: $35 (regular) is the fee for narrative features. Students may apply for a discounted price.
Dates: June 20–July 5, 2026
Now in its 27th year, the Roxbury International Film Festival is New England’s largest showcase for films celebrating people of color. Past guests have included Ava DuVernay, Billy Dee Williams, and more.
Deadline entry date: January 17, 2026 (Early bird), February 14, 2026 (Regular), March 7, 2026 (Late).
Deadline entry fee: Submission fees are $30 (Early bird), $35 (Regular), and $40 (Late).
We hope this guide helps you find a few new BIPOC film festivals worth bookmarking. While you’re still in research mode, be sure to check Wrapbook’s list of best filmmaking grants for people of color.
For a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to navigate the industry as a BIPOC filmmaker, check out the "Championing BIPOC and Queer Stories" episode of our On Production podcast featuring Shant Joshi. As president of Fae Pictures, he breaks down how he’s building a more inclusive Hollywood by telling global, queer, and BIPOC stories.
