Welcome to the 2026 Washington, DC Black History Film Festival. Since 2017, this event is funded and provided with the support of the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and The Council of the District of Columbia. In 2026, the BHFF will be held at the Lincoln Theatre on Friday, February 20, from 12 noon to midnight.176 film projects were submitted with 15 being selected, comprising of 2 scripts, 3 features and 10 shorts.

The BHFF is produced with the support of:

• DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
• Office of Cable, Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment
• Mayor’s Office of African American Affairs
• 202 Creates
• Creative Affairs Agency
• Fulton Films
• African Ancestry

BHFF DC Run of Show

Start Time – Film/Activity – Running Time in minutes

12 Noon Welcome – 5 min

12:05 PM Joe Barry Carroll – 9 min

12:15 PM Living Harriet Tubman -27 min

12:42 PM Just and Perfect – 29 min

1:12 PM The Spirit We Move With – 20 min

1:32 PM Justice and Reconciliation – 33 min

2:00 PM Film Legal and Location Panel – 60 min

3:00 PM This is Not An Elective – 15 min

3:15 PM Strut The Yard: The Documentary – 44 min

4:00 PM Rise of The Legion – 61 min

5:00 PM Go Go Music Opening Reception Trap Tribute – 120 min

7:00 PM Welcome & Lamman Rucker African Ancestry Reveal 15 min

7:15 PM Mayoral Proclamation 15 min

7:30 PM Performances -15 min

8:00 PM A New Day Begun: The Black National Anthem – 21 min

8:22 PM Through The Years – 34 min

9:00 PM I Was The Weirdo – 83 min

10:30 PM The Great Organizer Ella Baker – 28 min

11:00 PM Prophet: The Story of Nat Turner – 84 min