FESTIVALS: On the Radar: Fall 2019

You can put the sun hat and beach blanket away. Fall is in the air and that means a new season of film festivals is underway. Many of the upcoming festivals offer opportunities for black filmmakers to showcase their work, even if they aren’t afro-centric events. The festivals in the fall tend to be smaller, leading up to the big winter festivals like Sundance, Slam Dance, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Palm Spring International Film Festival. However, despite being smaller in scale, they still offer prime opportunities for up-and-coming filmmakers to share their work.

The following are some festivals to keep an eye on to attend and to submit your work to. There are only a few geared specifically towards black vision, but many represent and cater to rising and established independent filmmakers.

1. The Baltimore International Film Festival is Oct. 2-8 and helps to fiscally contribute to Baltimore’s artistic environment. It exhibits African American, African Diaspora and LGBTQ films by burgeoning indie filmmakers. http://www.bibff.com/
   
2. The International Black Film Festival takes place Oct. 3-6. Hazel Joyner-Smith started the festival in 2006 and it's been a steady hub of education, networking and training for all aspects of film ever since. Special guests this year will include Louis Gossett Jr., Sheryl Lee Ralph, Brett Dismuke and Tracy "Twinkie" Byrd. The Nashville-based festival exposes audiences to the best African American and African Diaspora films. https://www.ibffevents.com/
   
3. The Urban Film Festival takes place in Miami Oct. 11-13. It's too late to submit work, but if you want to see new black voices in cinema, this is a hot spot. During the festival, they not only offer panels, but workshops where aspiring filmmakers can learn cinema-related skills. http://urbanfilmfestivals.com/
   
4. The 55th Chicago International Film Festival will be held at the AMC River East 21, Oct 16-27. As the longest-running film festival in North America, it promotes new filmmakers and iconic auteurs and appeals to the cinephile in all of us. "Industry Days" are held during the festival and include workshops, talks, and masterclasses. Past guests have included award-winning producer Charles D. King (Fences) and Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen (Twelve Years a Slave). https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/
   
   
   
5. Austin Film Festival is set for Oct. 24-31. It has a list of extensive events, including panels, screenings and film, and writing competitions. Confirmed panelists include Dayo Adesokan (writer Superstore, Young & Hungry), Akela Cooper (writer Nun 2, Jupiter's Legacy) and Ayanna Floyd Davis (writer The Chi, Hannibal). https://austinfilmfestival.com/
   
6. The 2019 New York Short Film Festival takes place in one of the greatest cities in the world. Submissions are now closed. It falls on Nov. 2-8 in legendary Greenwich Village at the ever-popular Cinema Village, home to various types of cinema for over five decades. The festival is helmed by actor Cailin Kless and represents the cream-of-the-crop of indie filmmakers. http://www.newyorkshort.com/
   
7. 16th Annual Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Fest rounds out the fall season of festivals and is accepting submissions until October 6. It is the brainchild of Chicago and Los Angeles filmmakers and had its inaugural dates in 2003. It is one of the most affordable festivals to attend and submit to. It takes place Nov. 8-9. http://www.projectchicago.com/