Documentary Short 
World Premiere

Delta Air Lines champions equity in the communities where we live, work, and serve. Delta is honored to stand behind the talented women from Delta and JA Africa who brought authenticity, creativity, and heart to Akwaaba. Through human-centered storytelling, we celebrate film’s unique ability to connect, inspire, and empower young women around the world to keep climbing.

At the helm of this project are three stellar Black creatives —Joy Taylor (Producer), Patricia Swayne (Executive Producer), and Ayana Noble (Production & Art Designer) who joined forces to craft a story rooted in the African diaspora and the voices of young women. From developing the narrative to traveling to Ghana, their collaboration reflects a shared commitment to cultural truth and creative excellence. Together with an extraordinary Black director (Jabriel Films) and director of photography (Azariah Oldacre), Akwaaba came to life as a film that celebrates representation while inspiring the next generation of storytellers.

Director: Jabriel Films
Executive Producer: Patricia Swayne
Producer: Joy Amaya Taylor
Art Direction: Ayana Noble
Cinematographer: Azariah Oldacre
Editor: Michael Wiley

Winner Best Documentary Film at Atlanta Women’s Film Festival 2025

We’d like to add in ways people can support the amazing young women featured in our film. 

JA Africa Worldwide https://ja-africa.org/ and Tumininu “Tumi” Samuel is a remarkable 16-year-old from Nigeria featured in the film who dreams of studying in the United Kingdom to make a difference in the world. Tumi has been accepted to several respected universities for January 2026 including the University of Sunderland, Teesside University, and the University of Wolverhampton to pursue her passion in fields such as Biomedical Science, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, and Cybersecurity. GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/c63cc5d32

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DK9w9dGtftQ/

Narrative Short

In a random act of kindness, Zoya invites a stranger into her hom,e who has no intention of leaving.

Following the death of her mother, Zoya inherits the family home. Her mother was last on a long list of Zoya’s family members that have passed away. There’s no one left in the family home but Zoya. When Amelia, a stranger who claims to have rented her home on Airbnb, arrives, Zoya clings to the unexpected comfort of the presence of another person. Zoya lets Amelia stay the night, not wanting to spend a night alone in the cold home. When a night turns into an indefinite stay, their companionship twists into a game of control and abuse. As the situation becomes dire, it becomes a question of why can’t Amelia leave but more importantly why does Zoya stay?

Director: Maya Gray
Producer: Michael Jasper
Writer:  Maya Gray            
Cast: Serine Sianosian, Rachel Alig, Geneva Cimone, Peter Kalisch, Jamie Criss, and Chad Adbnerson
Cinematographer: Olugbenga Osikomaiya
Editor: Michael Jasper

Documentary Short
LA Premiere

Behind the Mic reveals the experiences of Black voice over artists in Hollywood. Voices we know, but stories we've never heard.

Storyline: Behind the Mic offers a compelling look at the career of actor and voiceover artist Arvie Lowe Jr., while spotlighting the voices and experiences of other Black voiceover actors in Hollywood. The film features candid reflections from Lowe's close friend and acclaimed voiceover talent Ogie Banks III, as well as seasoned performer Hillary Hawkins, who shares her perspective as a Black actor navigating the industry. Through personal stories, career milestones, and hard-won insights, Behind the Mic explores representation, resilience, and the ongoing challenges and triumphs of being a Black artist in Hollywood.

Directors: Deji Emmanuel, Amber Mitchell
Producers: Amber Mitchell, Arvie Lowe Jr.            
Cast: Arvie Lowe Jr., Ogie Banks III, Hillary Hawkins
Cinematographers: Adam Pedrego, Alec Rodriguez
Editor: Amber Mitchell

Awards: Independent Shorts Award - Official Selection;  THE GREAT FILM CLUB - Official Selection; 2025 Culver City Film Festival - Official Selection; Hollywood Stage Script Film Competition - Director American Short Film Winner

Website: filmfreeway.com/btm

Instagram: @btmshort

Short Film

Disclaimer:
This film contains a “scary-good” mix of chills and laughs. Viewer discretion is advised—especially if you startle easily or lack a sense of humor. All characters and spooky situations are fictional… unless your neighbor looks suspiciously like our ghost. Enjoy the screams, but don’t forget to laugh. You’re welcome.

Logline:
An overconfident wannabe auteur sets out to make the ultimate horror film inside a haunted house—unintentionally summoning a real demon and turning his low-budget shoot into a hilarious nightmare.

Synopsis:
Braxton Sayles is a self-proclaimed genius—witty, stylish, and completely clueless. After suffering through a terrible horror movie, he becomes convinced he can do better. Armed with a beret, big ideas, and little knowledge, he recruits his film-student friend Aaron and a group of equally inexperienced classmates to create the greatest horror film ever made.

To keep things “authentic,” Braxton picks an abandoned house with a dark past as their filming location. But once production begins, strange occurrences take over. Something unseen is growing stronger each day. Out of options, Braxton calls in Madam Moreena Butts, a no-nonsense medium who may be their only hope of surviving the shoot.

Lights, camera… Death?

Director: Chelsea Bartel
Producer(s): Raven Mone’t Bryant, Bryson Scott
Writer: Bryson Scott
Cast: Bryson Scott, Sabin Senehang, Taylor Layne, Raven Mone’t Bryant, Audrey Ettel, Anirudh Mohan
Cinematographer: Michele Cadei
Editor: Sophia Franklin

Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvHojRzNRwE

Instagram: @behindthescreams__

Short

After holding a catastrophic dinner party, a long-term couple struggles for their marriage and identity, sparked by Elle's recent transgender disclosure to her homosexual husband, Fritz

Director: Kelley Kali
Producer: Kelley Kali, Jenna Cavelle and Brittani Ward
Writer: Shonnie Jackson  
Cast: la georgea, Dan Bucatinsky, L’lerrét Jazelle and Jack Turner
Cinematographer: Audrey Pomme
Editor:  Steven Markowitz

2025 - Currently in Oscar Qualification
2025-American Black Film Festival — Official selection and world premiere screening.
2025-HollyShorts Film Festival — Official selection in an Oscar-qualifying short film festival

Programming
2025-Festival & special screenings (LA) -Special/industry screening at NeueHouse
2025- Screened at the Oscar-qualifying for the 98th Academy Awards

Website: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36987351/ 

Instagram:  @elleellefilm

Short Film, Narrative
World Premiere

The aftermath of a knifepoint robbery has left this young athlete plagued with an unsettling, haunting fear.

Director: Solomon Williams
Producer: Jayda Williams
Writer: Solomon Williams              
Cast: Isaiah C Gordon, Kyle Langais, Shamira St Aubyn-Williams, Donovan Reid, Marc St Aubyn, Rebecca St Aubyn Williams, Leon Williams, Junior Giscombe, Finn Middleton, Stephanie St Aubyn, Sam Pengelly
Extras: Olivia Pires, Shania Walster, Caius Roach, LaTasia Walster, Shaye Small, Makaio Roca, Julia Malinowska, Stephan Saranta-Pasley, Vernelle Gowa, Caius Samuels, Leona Walster, Selena Walster, Soriyah Walster
Cinematographer: Roman Routledge
Editor: Lucy Gidley

Official Selection in 'Berlin Indie Film Festival' & 'La Indie Shorts' Nominee

Instagram: @Solstown
Twitter: @Solstown

Short
World Premier

When a troubled patient with no past warns a psychologist to “wake up,” he spirals into a nightmarish reality where everyone around him follows a mysterious script—and the only way out may be facing a truth he’s desperate to avoid.

Director: Javon Johnson
Producer: Javon Johnson, SmithaLee, JaVarius Conway of Bear Fruit Entertainment
Writer: Nyree Brown            
Cast: Jaden Jones, Avy Blu, Tariq Isaiah, and Tracey Sampson
Editor: Hana Mitchell

This project was written by 17 year old Nyree Brown, a young aspiring actor and writer from Anderson, SC.

Website: www.iamjavonjohnson.com and www.bearfruitsc.org

Instagram: IamJavonJohnson, BearFruitSC

Twitter: https://x.com/JavonJohnson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/javon.johnson.56

Feature
USA Premiere

Narciso (11), is a Black orphan boy living at Carmen's house until he is adopted. He dreams of having a family, but has had only disappointments so far. To cheer the boy up, his friend, Alexandre gifts him an old basketball, with the promise that, if he scores three baskets, a genie will appear and make his wishes come true.

Director: Jeferson De
Producer: Cristiane Arenas 
Writer:  Jeferson De, Cristiane Arenas  
Cast: 
ARTHUR FERREIRA - "Narciso"
SEU JORGE - "Gênio"
BUKASSA KABENGELE - "Joaquim”
JU COLOMBO - “Carmen”
FAISKA ALVES - “Alexandre”
DIEGO FRANCISCO - “Naldo”
LEVI ASAF - “Carlinhos”
TEKA ROMUALDO -“Josefa”
MARCELO SERRADO - “Fernando”
FERNANDA NOBRE - “Luiza”
ERNESTO PICCOLO - “Jaime”
JULIANA ALVES - “Sonia”
LARISSA NUNES - “Lili’
Cinematographer: Lílis Soares
Editor: Pedro Iglesias Amaral

Montreal Independent Film Festival (2025) Honorable Mention 

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

Short film

An ordinary gas station employee finds himself facing a series of unexpected events during his night shift, uncovering the mystery behind the disappearances haunting the town.

Director: Lynda D'Alexis
Producer: Jérôme Nadessin - Novafox Films
Writer:  Lynda D'Alexis            
Cast: Claudius Vermilas, Noelor Montout, Morgan Poleton, Williams Babeu 
Cinematographer: Lucas Sousseing
Editor: Lynda D'Alexis , Jérôme Nadessin

AWARDS:
- Best Action Film – Short to the Point 2025 – 15th Edition (Romania)
- Best Emerging Talent – Prix de Court 2025 – 12e édition (Martinique)
- Best Actor – Claudius Vermilas, Cinestar International Film Festival Guadeloupe 2025 – 7e édition
- Nominee – Venice Short Film Festival 2025 (Los Angeles)
- Official Selection – Screamfest Horror Film Festival 2025 – 25th Edition (Los Angeles)
- Official Selection – Montreal International Black Film Festival 2025 – 21st Edition
- Official Selection – Chelsea Film Festival 2025 – 13th Edition (New York)
- Official Selection – Sinistro Horror Film Festival 2025 – 3rd Edition (Brazil)

This independently produced short film serves as a proof-of-concept for the feature currently in development.

Instagram: @nightshiftmovieproject @novafoxfilms 

Documentary Short
Los Angeles Premiere

Director: Shareina Chandler
Producer: Lauren Hill Vaughan
Cast: Iniko, Cat, Supernova, Fantasia
Cinematographer: J Jackson
Editor: Jasmine McCullough

Documentary short
West Coast Premiere

A young father’s world flips upside down after a tragic accident. This is his story of reinvention as he navigates life as a creative and quadriplegic sound designer.

Director: Joyce Tsang
Producer: Ricardo Roberts, Hung Le, Alisha Kramer, David Jeffers, Stephanie Yang
Cast: David Jeffers, Yasmine Jeffers, Brody Jeffers, Jaxson Jeffers
Cinematographer: Frazer Lockhart and Caleb Goodnight (Charlotte Unit), and Kyle Meek (NYC Unit)
Editor: Stephanie Yang

Awards: 

1. Charlotte Black Film Festival - Winner, "Made in the Carolinas" category

2. Cinema Touching Disability - Winner, Audience favorite and Winner, 3rd place

3. NYC Short Documentary Film Festival - official selection

Website: http://www.quadlifedoc.com

Instagram: @Quad_Life_Doc

Short Documentary
West Coast Premiere 

In the wake of a forgotten 20th-century genocide, Shadows of the Past explores the fragments of memory, identity, and resistance left behind by the Herero and Nama peoples after German colonial forces carried out one of history’s earliest acts of racial extermination. Weaving together personal testimony, archival imagery, and experimental forms such as dance and collage, the film meditates on generational trauma and the struggle to be heard. As debates over Germany’s recent reparations deal expose deep political and emotional rifts, Shadows of the Past asks what it means to seek justice when history has tried to erase you.

Director: Teairrah Nicole Green
Producer: Pamela Green 
Cast: Jephta U. Nguherimo, Dr. Esther Muinjangue, Laidlaw Peringanda, Shatiwa Kaliteke, Kaikovi Zauisomue, Naudano Hamunyela,Nia Ricks, Ana Levi, Isabella Mansapit.  
Cinematographer: Teairrah Nicole Green, Charles Valdez
Editor: Teairrah Green, Kelsey Ryan

Any awards, accolades: Best Student film and Best Editing at the Global Film Festival 

Website: https://www.teairrahgreen.org/shadows-of-the-past-2/ 

Instagram: @teairrah_green_

Short film 

When Becks learns her biological clock has only six months left, she launches into a frantic race for love, marriage, and motherhood because nothing says romance like a deadline.

Synopsis
Becks has it all—she’s smart, successful, and living her best single life in Los Angeles. But everything changes when she’s hit with a shocking diagnosis: early menopause. Suddenly, the clock is ticking louder than ever, and she has just six months left to decide what she really wants.

Determined not to waste a moment, Becks dives headfirst into the LA dating scene, swiping, mingling, and scheming her way toward “the one.” Things take a turn when she meets Cliff, a charming but newly celibate man who has zero interest in rushing toward fatherhood. Their mismatched desires send Becks into a hilarious spiral of desperation, hope, and hard truths.

After a whirlwind of awkward dates, romantic false starts, and self-discovery, Becks realizes the only person who truly has her back—is herself. With wit and courage, she decides to rewrite the rules, proving that being Single AF doesn’t mean being powerless.

Director: Louise Cousins 
Producer: Carissa Buffel, Jennifer Beliard 
Writer: Louise Cousins         
Cast: Ashley Denise Robinson, KeiLyn Durel Jones 
Cinematographer: Tanisa Moreno 
Editor: Catie Brigandi 

Documentary

Supershero: The Journey of Johna Rivers offers a powerful glimpse into the life of Johna Rivers, a proud Watts native whose path from adversity to advocacy is both urgent and inspiring. Told through her own words and lens, this short documentary unfolds as a personal video diary, capturing Johna’s transformation into a fierce community champion. Despite significant socio-economic challenges and her lived experience as a former foster youth, Johna emerges as a force for change—amplifying marginalized voices and modeling resilience. Produced as part of the Supershero Project, the film supports a bold mission: to reframe how girls of color see and value themselves. Supershero is not just Johna’s story—it’s a rallying call to recognize the strength of one and the potential of many.

An impact project powered by Better Youth, Inc.

Director: Syd Stewart
Producer: Brandon Jermaine
Writer:  Syd Stewart            
Cast: Johna Rivers
Cinematographer: Phil Roc
Editor: Kenny Yates

Supported by the LA County Youth Commission:

The LA County Youth Commission serves as the official youth advisory body to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, amplifying the voices and experiences of young people—particularly those who have been impacted by the foster care, juvenile justice, and other County systems.

http://www.sydsteword.com, http://www.betteryouth.org

Instagram: @sydsteword, @betteryouthlive

Short
World Premiere

After a job goes wrong, a thief turns to music to try and escape his past.

Director: Carter Michael
Producer: Erica Duke, Carter Michael, Mariah Morgenstern
Writer: Carter Michael             
Cast: Carter Michael, Zachary Coles, Chris Smith, Jeremy Shelton, Thomas Craven, Patrick Boylan, Renee Wylder, Kayla Topp, Joelle Tshudy, Jamie Slovon, Cameron Cipolla

Cinematographer: Kevin Torres
Editor: Maximilien Blanc

Short
West Coast Premiere

Director: Melanie Lund 
Producer: Melanie Lund 
Writer: Melanie Lund              
Cast: MALIK MCCULLOUGH, SHADAI CARR, NATHANIAL SMARR
Cinematographer: THOMSON NGUYEN
Editor: ANDREW SWISHER

Third Place FilmFestKnox 8 minute shorts competition, Emerging Filmmaker Award- Melanie Lund 

Instagram: @melaniesuza

Short 

Jared and Van inherit their grandmother’s dilapidated brownstone. The siblings have opposing views on what to do with the house until a surprise offer forces one to make arrangements behind the other’s back.

Director: Chad B. Hamilton
Producer: Gorby Mufan Shih
Writer: Chad B. Hamilton
Cast: Nayib Felix, Marion Grey, Dan Jessup
Cinematographer: Jamal Solomon
Editor: Patrick K. Nichols

“Audience Award” Columbia University Film Festival

“Outstanding Independent Film Award” Detroit Black Film Festival

"Honorable Mention Best Narrative Short” Gary International Black Film Festival

Notable Screenings:

Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival

Pan-African Film Festival

Urbanworld Film Festival

Micheaux Film Festival

Website: www.chadbhamilton.com

Instagram: @waybackhomefilm , @chadbhamilton