Award Categories

Best Documentary about a School

Entries in this category can be focused on faculty/staff/administrator(s) at an HBCU; a program at an HBCU; or the HBCU’s overall compelling history.

Best Documentary about an HBCU alumnus

Entries in this category can be focused on HBCU alumni (i.e., entrepreneurs, activists/legislators, scientists etc.)

Jurors’ Choice

Film festival attendees will select this award. All submitted films will be eligible no matter the focus of the film

Best HBCU student(s)-only Film

Entries submitted by current HBCU students will be eligible for this award.

FAQ

Who is eligible and what is the entry fee?

Undergraduate and graduate students at colleges and universities throughout the United States are eligible to participant. There is no entry free to participate.

What is the submission deadline?

The festival submission deadline is March 1, 2025.

When is the Film Festival?

April 11, 2025.

How do I submit an entry?

Film entries should be submitted to FilmFreeway using the link on this website.

What should the film be about?

Submitted films can be about any aspect of the legacies of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) including but not limited to HBCU faculty, HBCU alumni, campus life, and institutional history. The best documentaries tell a clear and compelling story.

How long should the film be?

Submitted films should be 5-10 minutes.

Will there be prizes awarded to the best films?

Yes, prizes will be awarded to the best films in each category. Cash prizes of $1,500 for first-place films and $750 for second-place films will be given to filmmakers for the best films in each category.