International Houston Black Film Festival (iHBFF) ()

Festival start: 26 March 2020      Festival end: 29 March 2020

The International Houston Black Film Festival (iHBFF) celebrates content creators across the globe with entries from the Cayman Islands, England, Canada, Africa, France, to Istanbul and beyond.

Special guest and panelist include Talent & Literary Manager, Marilyn Atlas (HBO's "Real Women Have Curves), actress, producer, Pro/Dir, Mark Harris, of 1555 Filmworks (Nothing Like Thanksgiving, Couples Night Out, Black Coffee, No Regrets, Stock Options). Also, Screenwriter, producer, director, Arthur Muhammad, ("Carter High" First Impression, Til Death Do Us Part" Lil Voice, Marriage Kit),Corey Champagne, (Seven Seconds's Kadeuce, The Originals, Selma, Red Band Society, Unwasted), Producer, Talent Manager, Pamela Warner, (Malcolm Jamal Warner,) Actor, Tanner Ellis, (Cloak & Dagger, Carter & June, Girls Trip) Simone & Schuster/Audible author N'Tyse, & a list of others.

This year the festival honors the Magnetic & Magnificent Men in Hollywood, Malcolm Jamal Warner, and emerging actor, Corey Champagne. Also, Film Finance Guru and 3 time festival alumni Keynote Speaker, Brenda Z. Doby, and Famed Entertainment Attorney, Ricky Anderson.


Disclaimer: Celebrity Panelist Attendance/Participation may change due to availability and schedule conflicts.

Best Art Activism Film, Jury Award, Best TV Show(Comedy) Best TV Drama, Best Short, Best Feature, Best Screenplay, Best Music Video, Best Web Series, Best Horror, Best Thriller, Best Fantasy, Animation, Best Anime', Best Doc, Best Micro Doc, Radio Drama, Best Sci-Fi, Best Comedy, Best Student Short, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Poster, Best Cinematography, Best Soundtrack, Best Score, Audience Choice Award, Best Comedy Spec, Best Drama Spec, Best Comedy Pilot, Best Drama Pilot, Best Art Activism Award, Virtual Reality, Best Book Trailer, Honorable Mention, Youth Storyteller Competition.

A short synopsis of 2 to 4 lines is required for short submissions. A short synopsis in addition to a longer synopsis of approximately 125 words is required for the Documentary Feature and Narrative Feature categories.

Each submission should also include at least one still production photo or slide, a press kit and bio and photo of the director. If available, include a poster in a file separate from the rest of your EPK. A trailer for your film is also strongly suggested. Due to potential copyright issues, HBFF will be unable to consider fan fiction/fan films without express written permission from the primary copyright holder. HBFF reserves the right to determine the final eligibility of any work submitted.

Films will be promoted on our website, in printed materials (such as the festival program) and in our press and marketing efforts. The filmmaker gives us the right to use the name, likeness to include the film images, cast, and crew images mentions as cleared by the filmmaker prior to submission.

Once a film is officially accepted to the festival, the filmmaker can no longer withdraw it from the festival lineup. The filmmaker is also responsible for submitting the screening materials at least four weeks before the festival. If the screening will be a world premiere, please let us know as we will do our best to promote to the local community, and please keep us abreast of production and marketing activities!

Houston Black Film Festival is also hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt (about 3 minute or less) from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Houston Black Film Festival or its assignees, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Filmmakers also note that NO SCREENERS WILL BE RETURNED, period by the Houston Black Film Festival. Also, filmmakers may submit trailers of works that are not complete as long as these works will be completed by the festival deadline. Filmmakers are responsible for all clearances, or licenses associated with their film submission.

HoustonBFF accepts film submissions from all filmmakers; however, to be eligible for the festival’s competitive program, one of the film’s creative principals, i.e. the writer, director or producer must be Black or of African heritage or the cast must be predominately African American.

Narrative feature films should be at least 60 minutes in length; short films should be 30 minutes in length or less, and student films must have been completed while the filmmaker was enrolled as a full or part-time student in a college or university. Web series content creators must submit at least 3 episodes, in ALL genres, less than 20 minutes in length each.

The Houston Black Film Festival does not pay filmmakers to screen their films. The HBFF.does not pay licensing or screening fees for films submitted to the festival via Festhome or otherwise. With your submission, you agree that no screening fee will be paid by the festival to screen your film. The number of screenings, days and venue is at the sole discretion of the festival.

Films that are available to the public, via online/or in theatre distributions are ineligible Web series, Podcast, Radio Dramas are allowed to compete although publicly available.

You may purchase festival passes here. https://www.myeventmate.com/houston-black-film-festival