Festival Highlights
Opening Night Ceremony
Join us for a kick-off to the festival with a keynote by PCC President Dr. Adrien L. Bennings and more on Friday, February 2 at 6:30pm (doors 6pm)! This in-person-only event will be held at the Hollywood Theatre. Please visit their website to learn more about Hollywood’s COVID-19 protocols.
Connection Weekend
We’re bringing a myriad of ways to connect as a community during the festival. Join us on February 9 for the screening of Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman at PCC Sylvania Performing Arts Center. Watch Mambar Pierrette at 6pm (doors at 5pm) on February 11 at PAM CUT’s new venue Tomorrow Theater, 3530 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202.
Centerpiece Weekend
Centerpiece Weekend takes place February 15–17, featuring the International award winner film Sira, at Hollywood Theatre, on February 16 at 6:30pm (doors 6pm), which will be followed by a performance. We welcome our visiting director Mmakgosi Anita Tau, For Them That Prey (Short), at PCC Cascade Campus Moriarty Auditorium on February 17 at 2pm. Learn more about PCC COVID-19 health and safety procedures.
Family Fest
On Saturday, February 24 at 2pm, please join the North Portland Library’s Black Cultural Library Advocates after the film Hawa, for a creative family activity. Hawa is a coming-of-age film centered around a young teenage girl in France who is living with her terminally ill grandmother. Fearing that social services will take her away, she sets out to get herself adopted by former first lady Michelle Obama.
Life and Times Documentaries
This year’s documentaries share personal stories of what is home, perseverance, and ingenuity. As you navigate our selected documentaries, you will learn about the unique perspectives within the migration experience from both in and outside the continent. Throughout these four films, we celebrate the resilience of African and Pan-African people and the ways we honor the personal journey.
Women Filmmakers Week and Closing Night Celebration
omen Filmmakers Week (February 29 – March 2) will feature films by an emerging force of women filmmakers, within African cinema.
Virtual Screenings
We’re excited to have the Multnomah County Library host our virtual film programming through Kanopy. The screenings are free and available to anyone with a library card and access to a streaming device. View available virtual film selections and get more details about viewing our virtual program online.
After-Film Q&A Sessions
Join us for live, online Q&A sessions with film directors and other experts. The Q&A’s will be after evening films on Thursdays through Saturdays throughout the festival.
All after-film discussions will be recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel for later viewing if you miss one.
The Marketplace and Restaurant Guide
Come out and experience our marketplace of African and Black-owned vendors! You can support our local vendors during in-person screenings at PCC Moriarty Auditorium or by visiting and shopping at our virtual marketplace and restaurant guide!