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Need context, history, funding, and marketing film resources, or deep dives into iconic works? Our references section has your back with everything you need to understand the culture of Black cinema.
Grants


Global Stage: ATL Culture House Opens Submissions for Creatives Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
ATL Culture House officially opens curated submissions for cultural producers and storytellers ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 . Atlanta, GA March 27, 2026 ATL CULTURE HOUSE OPEN CALL As Atlanta prepares to take its place as a cornerstone host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026 , the focus is shifting from the pitch to the city's powerhouse creative economy. ATL Culture House has officially announced an open call for cultural producers, curators, and multidisciplinary creati

African Pictures International
Mar 272 min read


St. Kitts and Nevis Updates Citizenship Programme: Why It Matters for International Black Film Stakeholders
St. Kitts and Nevis implements mandatory biometric data for Citizenship by Investment Programme. What Black film stakeholders need to know about mobility The Citizenship by Investment Unit of St. Kitts and Nevis has announced the upcoming implementation of mandatory biometric data collection for all new applicants under its Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI), with the measure expected to take effect before the end of Q1 2026. The initiative aligns the Federation’s secu

Sahndra Fon Dufe
Feb 243 min read


Final Draft Updates Its Terms of Service: Here's What Every Filmmaker Needs to Know Before Your Scripts Are Gone
Final Draft updated its Terms of Service in 2026. Here's what Black filmmakers, screenwriters, and indie film students need to know before your scripts disappear. When a company like Final Draft updates its Terms of Service and End User License Agreement , it's easy to dismiss as legal housekeeping. But that is not the case If you're building IP, pitching streamers, developing festival-bound scripts, or working on anything you intend to own and monetize, those terms directly

Sahndra Fon Dufe
Feb 246 min read


Resources and Opportunities for Black Talent in Film and TV: January 2026
Looking for film funding or festival entries? Explore the January 2026 Black Film Wire guide to resources for filmmakers across the global Black diaspora. 2026 is heating up to be an exciting year for film and TV. For budding and established black talent, this also represents multiple opportunities to upskill, exhibit work on larger stages, and secure funding for passion projects. It is to this end that Black Film Wire has put together an extensive list of available opportun

John Eriomala
Jan 255 min read


AFFC Storytellers Film Lab Cohort III: Empowering Nairobi's Emerging Female Filmmakers
AFFC Storytellers Film Lab Cohort III is now accepting applications from emerging female filmmakers in Nairobi. 6-week program, apply by February 2. The African Female Filmmakers Collective (AFFC) has announced an open call for its highly anticipated Storytellers Film Lab Cohort III , a transformative opportunity designed specifically for emerging women filmmakers based in Nairobi, Kenya. This intensive six-week program offers hands-on training, professional mentorship, and

Sahndra Fon Dufe
Jan 232 min read


Urban Vision Makes Casting Call For Male and Female TV Role
The Nigerian studio behind ‘The Men's Club’ has put out a call for a male and female role in a new TV Series. Apply by 26 January, 2026. Filmmaker and Founder of Urban Vision 360 Tola Odunsi has put out a casting call for two lead roles in an upcoming TV series. The announcement, made via social media yesterday, states that interested actors and actresses should be between 25 and 35 years old, and preferably be relatively new faces. They are to send a profile, social med

John Eriomala
Jan 151 min read


BLUHOUSE Studio Releases Casting Call For Female Role
Leading Nigerian studio Bluhouse has put out a call for an Igbo-speaking female role. Deadline is January 11. BLUHOUSE Studios, the production house behind films like Freedom Way (2024) , A Quiet Monday (2023) , the Zikoko Life Anthology Series (2025), and Indie pictures like Obi is A Boy (2025) and Kachifo (Till the Morning Come) , has put out a casting call for a female role. Applicants, between 25 and 35 years, are required to send in a monologue in Igbo as seen

John Eriomala
Jan 61 min read


Casting Call Opportunities for December 2025 and Early 2026
BlackFilmWire’s List of Casting Call opportunities in the black diaspora for December 2025 and early 2026.

John Eriomala
Dec 19, 20253 min read
Film Festivals


CAMIFF 2026 Opens in Grand Style as Festival Marks Landmark 10th Anniversary in Buea
CAMIFF 2026 opens its 10th anniversary edition in Buea with a landmark ceremony at Mountain Hotel, uniting African and international filmmakers for a week of screenings, tributes, and industry exchange, while celebrating a decade of impact in Central African cinema. The Cameroon International Film Festival officially commenced its landmark 10th edition in Buea with a vibrant and emotionally resonant opening ceremony, setting the tone for what promises to be a defining moment

Cheng Fon Njong
Apr 253 min read


DAY 3 HIGHLIGHT: Craft, Collaboration and Cinema Community Defined a Packed Third Day at CAMIFF.
…………………………………………………………………………. By Njei Ryan FOR BLACK FILM WIRE By Day Three, CAMIFF 2026 had fully hit its stride. The festival grounds carried that unmistakable midpoint energy, where strangers have become collaborators, workshop participants are beginning to sound like filmmakers, and every room seems to be holding a different conversation about the future of African cinema. Thursday was one of those festival days where everything seemed to happen at once. Acting. Directing

Njei Ryan
Apr 246 min read


ABFF-SELECTED CAMEROONIAN DRAMA LIGHTS OUT MAKES LANDMARK AVANT-PREMIERE IN DOUALA, STARRING WALE OJO, ELIZABETH NGONGANG AND SYNDY EMADE
Psychological Dementia Drama from the Team Behind Cameroon’s Oscar-Submitted Half Heaven Draws Industry and Press to Majestic Bessengue Ahead of ABFF Miami and Ohio Premieres DOUALA, CAMEROON- According to Black Film Wire, LIGHTS OUT, the psychological drama addressing dementia through the lens of family, grief, and institutional neglect, held its Cameroon avant-premiere on Saturday, 18 April 2026, at Majestic Bessengue, one of the country’s newest and most strategically posi

Sahndra Fon Dufe
Apr 217 min read


Silicon Valley African Film Festival Appoints Teresa Chapman to International Advisory Board
Bimbo Ademoye's latest YouTube film arrives with 8 million views, a standout supporting cast, and serious style, but does the dual performance at its centre fully deliver? April 13, 2026 Teresa Chapman The Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF) has announced the appointment of Teresa Chapman to its International Advisory Board, effective immediately. Teresa’s addition marks a strategic step for the festival as it continues to expand its influence as a leading platform

Y. Marie Kiven
Apr 132 min read


Cameroon's Lights Out Lands on ABFF 2026 Lineup as Festival Unveils 30th Anniversary Slate With Jamie Foxx, Marsai Martin and More
The American Black Film Festival has unveiled its 2026 lineup, with Cameroon's Lights Out earning a world premiere slot among the international narrative features in this landmark anniversary slate. Atlanta, GA April 9, 2026 AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVALS’ 30TH ANNIVERSARY | MAY 27-31 https://www.abff.com/miami/ The American Black Film Festival has revealed its official 2026 lineup, celebrating its 30th anniversary with a slate tied to Jamie Foxx, Marsai Martin, Courtney B.

Sahndra Fon Dufe
Apr 92 min read


Blair Underwood and Prisma James Named Faces of CAMIFF 2026 | Hollywood Star's Cameroonian Roots Take Centre Stage at 10th Anniversary Edition
April 20–25, 2026 | Buea Mountain Hotel, Buea, Cameroon CAMIFF 2026 marks a decade of African cinema with an international feature film competition, star-studded cultural events, and industry programming across six days on the slopes of Mount Cameroon. BUEA, CAMEROON - March 2026 The Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF) returns to the slopes of Mount Cameroon this April for its landmark 10th anniversary edition. Running April 20–25, 2026, at the Buea Mountain Hotel

Y. Marie Kiven
Mar 143 min read


Son of the Soil Reaches No. 1 on Netflix Nigeria Top 10 Chart
British-Chinese Director, Chee Keong Cheung ’s action thriller, Son of the Soil , has attained the top spot on the Netflix Nigeria Top 10 Chart less than 24 hours after release. This follows the film’s arrival on the streaming giant, after impressive showings at the 2025 African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) and the 2026 Pan-Afriican Film Festival . The film follows Zion Ladejo ( Razaq Adoti ), an ex Nigerian soldie

John Eriomala
Mar 31 min read


“We wanted to conjure a picture of the Nigeria we know and love” - Akinola Davies Jr., Rachel Dargavel, and Funmbi Ogunbanwo on Making “My Father’s Shadow”
Exclusive interview: Akinola Davies Jr., Rachel Dargavel & Funmbi Ogunbanwo discuss making My Father's Shadow, Nigeria's first Cannes competition film. From L-R: Akinola Davies Jr., Rachel Dargavel, Funmi Ogunbanwo, Wale Davies, and Sope Disiru. Image: Fatherland Productions Some films announce themselves quietly, arriving without fanfare before lodging themselves somewhere deep and permanent. My Father's Shadow , the debut feature from Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Dav

Jerry Chiemeke
Feb 2017 min read
Apps
Giveaways


From Donald Glover to House of David: Kara Smith Is Amazon MGM's New Head of Drama
Kara Smith, the executive behind Donald Glover's Mr. and Mrs. Smith, was promoted July 8 and landed her first big win two days later, with the House of David Season 3 renewal. By Kiven Marie Michael Iskander as David Donald Glover's Mr. and Mrs. Smith put Black creative leadership at the center of one of Prime Video's biggest recent hits and the executive behind it just got a major promotion. Amazon MGM Studios named Kara Smith Head of Drama on July 8, elevating a veteran of
Samuel Ogbegun
20 hours ago2 min read


Top Boy actor Micheal Ward Acquitted of Rape and Sexual Assault Charges
Micheal Ward has been found not guilty of all charges in his criminal trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London. Michael Ward Photo Credit: PA Media | 2025 On Friday, July 10, a jury acquitted Ward of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault following allegations related to an encounter with a woman after they met at a London nightclub on January 2, 2023. Throughout the trial, Ward maintained that the encounter was consensual. Speaking outside the court, Ward’s

Adesewa Ojo
3 days ago1 min read


House of David Renewed for Season 3- Inside Its Numbers, Its Faith, and Its Blind Spot
House of David's Michael Iskander as David, alongside King Saul, Queen Ahinoam, and the House of Saul in the Prime Video series. By Sahndra Fon Dufe Michael Iskander as David and…. On House of David Prime Video announced Friday that House of David, its sweeping biblical drama from Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios, has been renewed for a third season. Creators Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn confirmed the news in a statement, saying they're "incredibly grateful to fans around the

Sahndra Fon Dufe
4 days ago9 min read


Tomi Adeyemi, Amandla Stenberg and What the Children of Blood and Bone Debate Means for Black Fantasy’s Next Decade
Six months before Children of Blood and Bone opens in theaters, its author tells the world she won't be watching it By Sahndra Fon Dufe Author Tomi Adeyemi and actress Amandla Stenberg appear alongside the cover of Children of Blood and Bone, which is being adapted by Paramount Pictures. On July 4, Tomi Adeyemi, the Nigerian-American writer whose 2018 debut spent 175 combined weeks on the New York Times bestseller list across its trilogy posted a TikTok that split her fandom

Sahndra Fon Dufe
4 days ago10 min read


Celebrate July 4th with These 12 Black-Led Films
For many Americans, July 4th celebrates the nation's independence. For Black communities, however, the holiday also invites reflection on a more complex history, one that includes the ongoing struggle for freedom, equality, and justice. Black cinema has long preserved these stories, honoring the resilience, triumphs, and cultural contributions that have shaped America. Whether you're in the mood for laughter, romance, action, or powerful historical dramas, these Black-led fil

Adesewa Ojo
Jul 45 min read


The Midyear Pulse: What's Actually Popping in Black Culture Right Now
Six months into 2026, here's what's actually moving, on the pitch, on the charts, and everywhere in between. By Y. Marie Kiven The Midyear Pulse: What's Actually Popping in Black Culture Right Now . 1. On Screen: South Africa's Streaming Takeover. The Polygamist Keeps Climbing, and Its Star Isn't Waiting Around South Africa's "The Polygamist," the Sue Nyathi adaptation that's become one of the year's biggest African streaming stories, climbed to No. 2 globally on Netflix's T

Y. Marie Kiven
Jul 29 min read


BET’s INTERNATIONAL ACT CUT: Reform or Retreat?
A category restructure promised African artists more paths to win at the 2026 BET Awards. Instead, it produced the first total shutout since the modern era began and the numbers say the loss wasn't for lack of firepower. By Sahndra Fon Dufe Tems delivers a live performance of "What You Need" at the 2026 BET Awards, one of three categories she'd lose by the end of the night. The 26th annual BET Awards were held Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, host

Sahndra Fon Dufe
Jul 211 min read


Chris Brown Ordered to Pay $13M: Here's What the Verdict Actually Says
A Los Angeles jury found Chris Brown liable for negligence after his dog mauled his former housekeeper. Here's what the case actually covered, and what it didn't. By Y. Marie Kiven R&B singer Chris Brown arrives at Southwark Crown Court on July 11, 2025 in London, England.Leon Neal/Getty Image A Los Angeles County jury ruled on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, that Chris Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, must pay nearly $13 million to his former housekeeper, Maria Avila, after

Y. Marie Kiven
Jun 305 min read


From Donald Glover to House of David: Kara Smith Is Amazon MGM's New Head of Drama
Kara Smith, the executive behind Donald Glover's Mr. and Mrs. Smith, was promoted July 8 and landed her first big win two days later, with the House of David Season 3 renewal. By Kiven Marie Michael Iskander as David Donald Glover's Mr. and Mrs. Smith put Black creative leadership at the center of one of Prime Video's biggest recent hits and the executive behind it just got a major promotion. Amazon MGM Studios named Kara Smith Head of Drama on July 8, elevating a veteran of
Samuel Ogbegun
20 hours ago2 min read


Top Boy actor Micheal Ward Acquitted of Rape and Sexual Assault Charges
Micheal Ward has been found not guilty of all charges in his criminal trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London. Michael Ward Photo Credit: PA Media | 2025 On Friday, July 10, a jury acquitted Ward of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault following allegations related to an encounter with a woman after they met at a London nightclub on January 2, 2023. Throughout the trial, Ward maintained that the encounter was consensual. Speaking outside the court, Ward’s

Adesewa Ojo
3 days ago1 min read


House of David Renewed for Season 3- Inside Its Numbers, Its Faith, and Its Blind Spot
House of David's Michael Iskander as David, alongside King Saul, Queen Ahinoam, and the House of Saul in the Prime Video series. By Sahndra Fon Dufe Michael Iskander as David and…. On House of David Prime Video announced Friday that House of David, its sweeping biblical drama from Wonder Project and Amazon MGM Studios, has been renewed for a third season. Creators Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn confirmed the news in a statement, saying they're "incredibly grateful to fans around the

Sahndra Fon Dufe
4 days ago9 min read


Tomi Adeyemi, Amandla Stenberg and What the Children of Blood and Bone Debate Means for Black Fantasy’s Next Decade
Six months before Children of Blood and Bone opens in theaters, its author tells the world she won't be watching it By Sahndra Fon Dufe Author Tomi Adeyemi and actress Amandla Stenberg appear alongside the cover of Children of Blood and Bone, which is being adapted by Paramount Pictures. On July 4, Tomi Adeyemi, the Nigerian-American writer whose 2018 debut spent 175 combined weeks on the New York Times bestseller list across its trilogy posted a TikTok that split her fandom

Sahndra Fon Dufe
4 days ago10 min read


Celebrate July 4th with These 12 Black-Led Films
For many Americans, July 4th celebrates the nation's independence. For Black communities, however, the holiday also invites reflection on a more complex history, one that includes the ongoing struggle for freedom, equality, and justice. Black cinema has long preserved these stories, honoring the resilience, triumphs, and cultural contributions that have shaped America. Whether you're in the mood for laughter, romance, action, or powerful historical dramas, these Black-led fil

Adesewa Ojo
Jul 45 min read


The Midyear Pulse: What's Actually Popping in Black Culture Right Now
Six months into 2026, here's what's actually moving, on the pitch, on the charts, and everywhere in between. By Y. Marie Kiven The Midyear Pulse: What's Actually Popping in Black Culture Right Now . 1. On Screen: South Africa's Streaming Takeover. The Polygamist Keeps Climbing, and Its Star Isn't Waiting Around South Africa's "The Polygamist," the Sue Nyathi adaptation that's become one of the year's biggest African streaming stories, climbed to No. 2 globally on Netflix's T

Y. Marie Kiven
Jul 29 min read


BET’s INTERNATIONAL ACT CUT: Reform or Retreat?
A category restructure promised African artists more paths to win at the 2026 BET Awards. Instead, it produced the first total shutout since the modern era began and the numbers say the loss wasn't for lack of firepower. By Sahndra Fon Dufe Tems delivers a live performance of "What You Need" at the 2026 BET Awards, one of three categories she'd lose by the end of the night. The 26th annual BET Awards were held Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, host

Sahndra Fon Dufe
Jul 211 min read


Chris Brown Ordered to Pay $13M: Here's What the Verdict Actually Says
A Los Angeles jury found Chris Brown liable for negligence after his dog mauled his former housekeeper. Here's what the case actually covered, and what it didn't. By Y. Marie Kiven R&B singer Chris Brown arrives at Southwark Crown Court on July 11, 2025 in London, England.Leon Neal/Getty Image A Los Angeles County jury ruled on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, that Chris Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, must pay nearly $13 million to his former housekeeper, Maria Avila, after

Y. Marie Kiven
Jun 305 min read
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