The Halifax Black Film Festival returns for its sixth year – billing itself as an online event featuring 73 films from around the world, the Being Black in Halifax program for emerging filmmakers and the industry series HBFF Black Market – from 24-27 February.

The event offers a wide range of films and events to coincide with African Heritage Month, while providing valuable resources and networking for the local black film community.
HBFF 2022 opens Thursday, February 24 at 7 p.m. with Namibian filmmaker Desiree Kahikopo-Meiffret’s period drama The White Line, followed by the availability of the entire program of features, shorts and documentaries. at 21h. The closing title of the festival is the documentary by Enver Samuel. Murder in Paris, investigation into the assassination of anti-apartheid activist Dulcie September.

Created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, the Halifax Black Film Festival is a valuable platform to amplify black voices and showcase the work of black artists who would otherwise go unnoticed locally. This year also includes work from local filmmakers like Koumbie’s new short, I Hate You, about a couple who start their day with a dose of rejection, and Israel Ekanem’s short Kill Your Masters, about two black slaves. who risk everything for their own good. own freedom.

“We are proud to celebrate African Heritage Month with another impactful and powerful edition of the Halifax Black Film Festival,” Colas said in announcing the event. “More than ever, HBFF is an important platform that celebrates black talent and empowers filmmakers to create meaningful work.

“It is essential to raise awareness of current struggles so that we can be inspired to become agents of change. Our goal is to connect members of all cultural communities through films, allowing us to better understand ourselves and see the world through each other’s experiences.

Being Black in Halifax

The Being Black in Halifax series continues to be a highlight of the festival, with four local filmmakers telling their personal stories, illustrating their challenges while offering hope for change in their communities during a dark and oppressive time. story.

This year’s entrants are Guyleigh Johnson (Scratching the Surface), Deborah Castrilli (Framework), Tyus MacSween (Washed Up) and Jodell Stundon (Finding a Way Out). HBFF 2022 will also feature participants of the Being Black in Canada filmmaking program from Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver, who have benefited from mentorship and training by mentors in multiple areas of filmmaking.

In addition to screenings and presentations, the HBFF black market industry series will tackle a variety of film and societal issues, and explore where change is happening and where it has yet to take place.

Topics for these free roundtables will include the diversity behind the camera on Nova Scotia film sets, a conversation with filmmaker Juanita Peters about making feature films and episodic television, learning how to pitch projects, storytelling untold stories from black communities and exploring the lack of diversity in the media and what this means for marginalized communities.

The HBFF22 All Access Pass is available for just $49, providing access to all festival programming. Individual movie ticket prices range from $9 to $15. Full details are available at HalifaxBlackFilm.com.