The Black Film Festival of New Orleans is a multi-day event designed to celebrate independent films, filmmakers and musicians. The 10-day series of free screenings at multiple locations will take place from March 31 through April 10 and includes options for virtual screenings. 

The festival begins with the New Orleans premiere of Jonathan Isaac Jackson’s Big Chief Black Hawk on Thursday, March 31, from 5–9:30 p.m. at Café Istanbul, 2732 St. Claude Avenue. Jackson explores Mardi Gras Indian traditions through the eyes of the culture’s youngest Big Chief, Joseph Boudreaux Jr., and his family. Ejaaz Mason’s short documentary Black Suit: Sewing [HER]Story will screen in advance of the main feature. The event will also feature a music performance by Kelly Love Jones from her new work, “Trust.”

The festival will move to the Broad Theater, 636 N. Broad Street, on Friday, April 1, from 5–10 p.m. Visiting filmmakers from abroad will screen short films highlighted by the screening of the award-winning Sundays in July, an intimate look at two lovers navigating the minefield of their egos, fears, and flaws to dive into the most foreign and uncharted territory, true love.

Day three of the festival on Saturday, April 2, will remain at the Broad Theater beginning at noon with the featured documentary One Pint at a Time, following the highs and lows of black beer craftsmen in an industry dominated by white craftsmen. The event will also include screenings of short films from visiting filmmakers and last until 5 p.m.

Day four the festival will move back to Café Istanbul for a 2pm screening of City of a Million Dreams by Jason Berry. The feature-length documentary speaks to the history of jazz funerals in New Orleans. At 7 p.m. the Black Film Festival awards show will be livestreamed on the festival’s Youtube page featuring a performance by local hip hop groups theSmoovcat and the 9th Life.

A weeklong break from live screenings will mark the virtual run of the festival, which will feature an additional 20 films available through streaming only. The films will be available on the festival’s website at bffno.com.

On Sunday, April 10, the festival will come to a close with a full day of New Orleans-based film screenings, including six short films and Jason Foster’s feature length documentary, Many Fires This Time, which follows poet and activist Michael Quess Moore in his pursuit of social equality. The event will take place at Café Istanbul beginning at 2 p.m. and will include a live music performance by Piano G and his quartet.

For more information about the festival including a complete listing of films visit bffno.com or visit the Black Film Festival on Facebook.