Austin’s only event dedicated to Black cinema, the Capital City Black Film Festival, is back in 2021 for a hybrid event, showcasing Black filmmakers and stories both online and in person after a fully virtual showcase in 2020.
The theme for the ninth annual fest is “Triumph,” which feels especially thematically apt given the continued trials and tribulations of the last year.
Running December 3-5, the festival will screen films on their website from Black creators all around the world. Look out for more details coming soon about their in-person event in Austin, where audiences will get the chance to see select screenings as they were meant to be seen, in the theater and among fellow film-lovers.
CCBFF cofounder Winston G. Williams said the festival “is looking for films that “shift the narrative from the hardship and perils of the Black experience, and challenge filmmakers to share work that centers on the joy, love and resilience of the Black diaspora.” They are officially accepting film submissions, so finish up those final edits, burgeoning filmmakers!
Williams added, “Our goal is to deliver a moving, deeply inspiring festival that recognizes the resilience of Black people, our complexities and the beauty in our stories,
This year, Williams’ production company, CWP Entertainment, is partnering with the festival to identify select films to secure global distribution deals. CCBFF is excited to offer filmmakers not only a showcase for their work, but potentially the opportunity to take their film beyond the festival circuit and into theaters.
Capital City Black Film Festival, Dec. 3-5. Passes and info at capcitybff.com. Submissions are open until September 30: submission guidelines at Film Freeway.
This article appears in August 20 • 2021.