22nd NC Black film festival set for this weekend in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY-TV) —The 22nd annual North Carolina Black Film Festival kicks off Thursday, bringing four days of film screenings, workshops, and community-centered events to the Port City.

Hosted by the Black Arts Alliance, the festival opens with a reception at 6 p.m. Thursday at The Wilson Center in downtown Wilmington.

The event will run through Sunday, April 13, and will feature a variety of film genres, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to spotlight Black excellence in filmmaking.

Festival Director Charlon Everett said this year’s schedule includes a cinematography workshop, a youth film camp, and the popular “CineMixer,” a networking event that brings creatives together in an engaging environment.

“There’s a little bit for everyone—from young to older,” Everett said.

“Yes, it’s the North Carolina Black Film Festival, but we have international filmmakers—from the North, South, Europe, and Africa. Our festival is a boutique festival for this area and we’re known for our hospitality.”

One of the major highlights of this year’s festival is with acclaimed film director Bruce W. Smith. Smith is an award-winning director, producer, and animator with a career spanning more than three decades.

He is best known as the creator and executive producer of Disney Channel’s hit series The Proud Family and The Proud Family Movie.
“He’s our honoree and we’re going to have fireside a chat with him,” Everett said.

The festival will close with a screening of Draw or Die, a film about Wilmington native and visionary artist Minnie Evans. The screening will take place at the Cameron Art Museum.

Born in 1892, Evans was raised by her grandmother in Wilmington during a time of racial unrest. She became a prolific artist in the 1940s, inspired by her Christian faith and powerful dreams.

Events and screenings will continue through April 13 at various locations. For a full schedule of events and ticket information click here.