Documentary
West Coast Premiere

“Class of Her Own” tells the story of a teacher’s transformation into a trailblazer who used hip hop, dance, and call-and-response to lead her high-need elementary school from an F to an A on the state standardized test in one year. “I’m biased but I feel every adult who impacts the lives of children — from teachers to parents to youth counselors — should watch and learn from Gloria Jean Merriex’s story,” said the film’s director and producer, Boaz Dvir.

Director: Boaz Dvir
Producer: Boaz Dvir
Writer: Boaz Dvir         
Cast: Tamara Tunie, Gloria Jean Merriex, Leanetta McNealy, Don Pemberton, Buffy Bondy
Cinematographer: Boaz Dvir
Editor: Seth Schurman

Best Documentary Feature, Windsor International Black Film Festival, Canada, and Best Teacher Film, Helsinki Education Film Festival International, Finland. Refencing the popular ABC sitcom, Forbes’ Peter Greene described “Class of Her Own” as a “real-life mirror of Abbott Elementary”

Twitter: @boazdvir

Short
Los Angeles Premiere

In rural Hayti, Missouri, matriarch Elizabeth Holiday confronts her past when an unexpected call from her former student, Jeremy, disrupts her routine. As they navigate their shared history and the challenges of their community, they're forced to confront harsh realities, igniting a journey of reconciliation and redemption.

Director: Diamond Batiste
Producer: Ron McCants
Writer: Ron McCants              
Cast: Paula Jai Parker, L.T. Hines II, Forrest Martin, Freda Worthon, Garnett Fisher
Cinematographer: Isaac Yowman
Editor: Alain Fleury

Instagram: @tenetproductionsinc

Short
World Premiere

Two half siblings, Chris & Jamie, meet for the first time. Both adults now, they must determine if blood is really thicker than water and if a connection can be found in the aftermath of their isolated childhoods.

Director: Chelsea M. Davis & Laynie Mitchell
Producer: Chelsea M. Davis & Laynie Mitchell
Writer: Chelsea M. Davis             
Cast: David Carzell, Chelsea M. Davis, Weiyi Zhang
Cinematographer: Tayo Osikomaiya
Editor: Travis Maxwell

The catalyst for this project was my own sense of restlessness with my work. I've been lucky to have some level of success in my acting career, but still feel like I haven't been given the freedom to express myself creatively and personally. I was itching to challenge myself and say something that I hadn't really said out loud before. So, I forced myself to make it happen. I wanted to be able to self fund the project and hand pick the team. I also wanted to make sure I started to build relationships with other young, black creatives and artists. We're all at the beginning of our careers and there's something magical and visceral about this moment in time. Eventually, I pulled this specific story out of a small, fleeting chapter of my own life. Yes, this is somewhat autobiographical. However, it's more of a reimagining of what could have happened. An example of one of the many possibilities I was too afraid to explore in real life. Next best thing? Make a short film.

Short

A young woman and her friends teach a man to respect her "no" - a film about consent and agency in the Latin dance club scene. 

Director: Gabriela Wiltz
Producer: Angela Townsend, Talia Koylass, Luzzo, Full Spectrum Productions & Motion Pictures Dance Productions
Writer: Angela Townsend              
Cast: Angela Townsend, Luiz Ramos, Riggio Cordero, Bobbi Ponder, Maria Luisa Torres, Kimberly Rivera, Rocky Quinones
Cinematographer: Jana McClain
Editor: Ariana De Simone

n partnership with Sexpectations Chi, ISN has collaborated in creating a discussion guide for viewers to use after watching the film. The discussion guide can be accessed here.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaidnofilm/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089850109664

Short
Los Angeles Premiere

Blair and Harper serendipitously meet at a New York City bar after being stood up by their respective parties. Their chance encounter leads them to commiserate over their misfortunes. As the night progresses, an unexpected spark ignites between the two strangers, but do they have what it takes to make the spark last…?

Director: Kedren Spencer
Producer: KSRH Productions 
Writer: Kedren Spencer, Rebecca L. Hargrove             
Cast: Rebecca L. Hargrove, Zarrette J. Rogers, Bryce M. Wood, Freddie Fulton, Lawrence James, Kedren Spencer, and Tamara Jade.
Cinematographers: Gerard Pickett and Khalil Henley
Editor: Maddison Whitfield and Thomas J. Cooksey

2023 New Faces, New Voice Audience Choice Award Winner. 2023 The Artist's Forum Festival of the Moving Image Audience Choice Award, Best Actress, and Best Original Score Winner. 2024 Atlanta Women in Comedy Festival Best Romantic Comedy Winner.

Website: https://www.ksrhproductions.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksrhproductions

Short
World Premiere

"A soldier is tasked with securing open territory from an opposing threat until his encounter with an orphaned teenager changes everything."

Director: Kalvin Ogbuefi
Producer: Kalvin Ogbuefi, Bezait Ali
Writer: Kalvin Ogbuefi             
Cast: Havon Baraka (Kaleb), Zendaya Andersen (Esther)
Cinematographer: James J. Duhon
Assistant Director: Eva Fabray
Gaffer: Manny Gonzalez
Makeup Artist: Tatiana Noele
Editor: Michael Tang
Composer: Andrew Asemokai

Website: Production Company website
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekenesdreams/

Documentary Short
West Coast Premiere

Love, Law, Legacy delivers a timely message about justice, representation, and the critical contributions of Black lawyers, elected officials, and judges. Its concise format makes it ideal for events and provides a powerful tool to inspire dialogue and reflection in ongoing national conversations about equity and diversity.

Director: Joseline Jan-Louis Hardrick
Producer: Joseline Jean-Louis Hardrick
Writer: Joseline Jean-Louis Hardrick       
Cast: Justice Peggy A. Quince (retired), Arthenia L. Joyner, Delano S. Stewart, Donald R. Odom, 
Cinematographer: Ricky Roberts
Editor: Tamika R. Guishard

First-time filmmaker

Website: www.journeytoesquire.com/documentary
Instagram: @journeytoesq
Twitter: @journeytoesq
Facebook: @journeytoesq

Short

After the racially charged shooting of an unarmed teenager, an officer of color must decide whether to stand on the side of the law or seek justice for his community.

Director: Jonathan Rowan
Producer: Jonathan Rowan, Myava Mitchell, Mary Minor, Kirk D. Marshall
Writer: Jonathan Rowan             
Cast: Jason Mimms, Joey Coverson, Auriel Branson, Saffran Harris, Lauren McGrath, Rachel Burke, Sarah Parlow, Ken Gregory, Cameron Dymally, C.J. Lindsey, Elle Verneé
Cinematographer: Yancey Wells
Editor: Simon Moore

Best Student Film – AfroComicCon International Film Festival, Audience Afro Pick - AfroComicCon International Film Festival, Best Student Film – Charlotte Black Film Festival, Best Student Film – Urban Mediamakers Festival; Best College Short – Denton Black Film Festival, Best Short Film – California Indies, Best Short Film – Santa Monica Shorts, Best Student Film - Bill Johnson Black Film Festival

Instagram: instagram.com/supastarproductionz

Facebook: Facebook.com/supastarproductionz

Documentary 
USA Premiere

A documentary that creates conversation about two cultures, that explores the similarities that Hip-Hop and Kung Fu share through movement and identity.

Director: Ashanti Damisi 
Producer: Chen Yu, Ashanti Damisi
Writer: Ashanti Damisi, Chen Yu
Cinematographer: Zhao Yue
Editor: Chen Yu

I made this film with little to no budget and was still able to produce this film under Chinas restrictions and guidelines. It was very important for me to tell the story through the lens of identity and movement because that’s how I was able to find my voice in the world and was interested in how others found their voice. 

Instagram:@duhmisee

Animation, Music Video

Director: Nolan Williams, Jr.
Producer: NEWorks Productions
Compose/Lyricist: Nolan Williams, Jr.
Art Director/Illustrator: Willie C. Cordy, Jr.
Animation & Motion Graphic Director: Gabriel Genesis
Music Producers: Warren Jones & Nolan Williams, Jr.         
Cast: Rayshun LaMarr, Benjamin H. Moore, John Riddle & Nova Y. Payton

Winner of 33 international film, music and media prizes, including:

· Award of Excellence – Music Video, 2024 Best Shorts Competition (International)

· Award of Excellence – Animation, 2024 Best Shorts Competition (International)

· Award of Excellence – African American Theme, 2024 Best Shorts Competition (International)

· Award of Excellence – Music Video, 2024 IndieFEST Film Awards (International)

· Award of Excellence – Animation, 2024 IndieFEST Film Awards (International)

· Award of Excellence – Original Song, 2024 IndieFEST Film Awards (International)

· Award of Excellence – African American Theme, 2024 IndieFEST Film Awards (International)

· Award of Excellence – Liberation/Social Justice/Protest, 2024 IndieFEST Film Awards (International)

· "Best Lyrics Video" – 2024 International Music Video Competition

· “Best Animation” – 2024 Davey Awards Gold Prize

· "Best Animation" – 2024 Chicago Indie Film Awards 

· "Best Animation Short" – 2024 Indie Short Fest (Los Angeles International Short Film Festival)

· "Best Animation Short" – 2024 Independent Shorts Awards

· "Best Animation Music Video" – 2024 Los Angeles Movie & Music Video Awards

· "Best Animation Music Video" – 2024 Europe Music Video Awards

· “Best Art Direction” – 2024 Davey Awards Gold Prize

· "Best Director - Music Video" – 2024 New York Film & Female Actress Awards

· “Best Human & Civil Rights Special Project” – 2025 Anthem Awards Silver Prize

· "Best Human Rights Short" – 2025 Philadelphia International Filmmaker Awards 

· “Best Music Video” – 2024 AVA Digital Awards Platinum Prize

· “Best Music Video” – 2024 Davey Awards Gold Prize

· "Best Music Video" – 2024 London Global Film Awards

· "Best Music Video" – 2024 Los Angeles Film Awards

· "Best Music Video" – 2025 Magnolia Independent Film Festival

· "Best Music Video" – 2024 Paris International Short Festival

· "Best Short Score" – 2024 Arthouse Festival of Beverly Hills

· "Best Social Commentary Video" – 2025 Las Vegas Music Video Awards 

· “Best Social Video” – 2024 Davey Awards Gold Prize

· “Best Use of Animation” – 2024 Davey Awards Gold Prize

· “Best Use of Music” – 2024 Davey Awards Gold Prize

· Bronze Medal: Listener Impact: Content/Message Delivery – 2024 Global Music Awards

· "Outstanding Achievement Award for Music Video" – 2024 Indie Short Fest (Los Angeles International Short Film Festival)

· "Special Achievement Award for Social Justice & Hope" – 2024 California Music Video & Film Awards

Websites: neworksproductions.com / nolanwilliamsjr.com

Instagram: @neworksproductions / @nolanwilliamsjr

Facebook: @neworksproductions / @nolanwilliamsjr

Short
USA Premiere

Worried Celeste decides to organize a surprise party to bring the family back together. However, tensions within the family ensure that things turn out completely differently than planned.

Director: Kooshin M. Hussein
Producer: Suzan de Swaan, Danielle Guirguis
Writer: Kooshin M. Hussein, Gabriel D. Calvo Nencel    
Cast: Joy Delima, Manoushka Zeegelaar Breeveld, Fjodor Jozefzoon, Eline Havenaar, Jean Pierre Nshimyumuremy
Cinematographer: Dionne Cats
Editor: Wies Hundling

Additional details about the process: Surprise is an Aware talent development production.

Short Film

In this thrilling tale of family secrets, lies and deception, Pius Montgomery, head of the billion-dollar Uncle Pius’ Devilishly Hot Hot Sauce company, forces his four children to compete in a series of games to save his grandkids from an old debt he owes the Devil. It’s a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat ride that culminates in an ending no one sees coming!

Director: Keena Ferguson Frasier
Producer: Miatta Vincent Ronca, Delece James
Writer: Miatta Vincent Ronca 
Cast: Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Iona Morris, Sammie Wayne, Miatta Vincent Ronca, Rolando Boyce, Dana L. Wilson, Kamal Bolden, Kent Faulcon, Benita Nall, Paris Nicole, Kayla Paschall, Delano Jarrell Foster III, Charity Joy Harrison, Logan Carter, Londyn Carter, Brooke Yamamoto, Kao Courseault, Nicola Lambo, and Graciela Marshall.
Cinematographer: Jason Weary
Editor: Domonic Smith

 Awards
Winner: The Premiere Short Award at the Anthology Film Festival.
Nominee: Outstanding Dramatic Short and Outstanding Dramatic Writing at Micheaux Film Festival
Nominee: Best Short Film at the Bronzelens Film Festival 

Website: iiofcups.com

Instagram: @ii_of_cups_productions

Facebook: @ii.of.cups.productions

Short
West Coast Premiere

A pastor and his troubled young adult group embark on a retreat to a remote Nebraska camp, unaware it will be their last together. While struggling with personal demons and a church that rejects them, they are forced to confront dark secrets that threaten their survival. Trapped in isolation, the group must overcome their differences and the weight of their pasts. With their faith and lives on the line, they discover that their own inner turmoil may be their greatest enemy.

Director:  Quincy T. Christian
Producer:  Quincy T. Christian, Reginald Dawson, Mike Ehrhart
Writer:  Quincy T. Christian
Cast: Grifon Aldren, Shae’Kell Butler, Jessica N. Johnson, Justin “Marcey Yates” Young, Myeisha Essex, Brandon Williams, Christian J. Velez, Cameron Ram, Asheia Cook Arre, Walter Shatley, Amblessed Kanu
Cinematographer:  Mike Ehrhart
Editor:  Shannon Smay

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wickedfleefilm/

Twitter: https://x.com/wickedfleefilm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572511634993

Full-length documentary
West Coast premiere

Interstate is about how the construction of the Interstate highway system in the United States from the 1950s to the 1980s destroyed black communities in countless urban areas. It uprooted lives, stripped African Americans of generational wealth, and redrew urban maps to force tens of thousands of black people to more remote locations.

In Miami, Overtown was cut into quarters by the construction of i95 and i395, leading to a population collapse from 40,000 black residents to about 10,000 in a decade. In the Rondo neighborhood of Saint Paul, a black community that had fled the Jim Crow south decades before found themselves displaced from their family homes and businesses. In New Orleans, highway planners cut through the heart of Tremé, America’s oldest black neighborhood. In Baltimore, the Highway to Nowhere cut a 6-lane scar through the heart of West Baltimore in the place where redlining was first codified into law. And in Montgomery, the cradle of the American civil rights movement, vengeful highway planners re-routed a benign highway path to cut directly into the homes, businesses and churches of civil rights leaders like Ralph Abernathy, Rosa Parks and others.

Insterstate explores different themes such as economics, redlining, alternative paths that were not taken, language that was used to justify the destructive routes, health impacts and what comes next.

The documentary features interviews with people like Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Civil Rights historian Richard Bailey, founder of Miami's Black Archives Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields, urban activist Amy Stelly, and many others who experienced displacement with their families as children and struggled to rebuild shattered lives in distant neighborhoods.

Director: Oscar Corral, Haleem Muhsin
Producer: Oscar Corral, Haleem Muhsin     
Cast: Sec. Of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, US Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Urban Planner Amy Stelly, Miami Historians Marvin Dunn & Dorothy Jenkins Fields 
Cinematographer: Haleem Muhsin
Editor: Oscar Corral

Website: https://filmfreeway.com/projects/3328432