A woman begins receiving letters from a distant relative hinting at family secrets and rituals. These are things she does’t want to know or engage in. But like any mystery, she’s involved whether she wants to be or not. Reluctantly, she tumbles down a rabbit hole of research in search of a tree that may hold special powers. Her search for the tree is just the beginning of reconnecting with her family present, past, and future.

Locus

A woman reluctantly searches to find a tree that may turn out to be a site of power - connecting her to the family she drifted away from long ago. Told in a series of inner musings and phone conversations.

When fireworks are confiscated from the community of East New York, Tomiwa goes against his mother's wishes in order to obtain them. He is informed that he has to travel outside of his neighborhood in order to get fireworks. So him and his goods travel to Howard Beach, but are met with animosity from a deep rooted race war from both communities.

July 4th, East New York

Against his mother’s wishes, Tomiwa sets out on a quest to obtain fireworks in a different neighborhood on July 4th.

Samira is a recent college graduate and a current disappointment to her mother. Despite her poetic way with words, she can't seem to find the right ones to stand up for herself against her mother's constant dismissal. This results in a dance-off, the massive consumption of goat meat, and a kid figuring out how to want herself.

Hooyo Macaan

A recent college graduate and a current disappointment to her mother is faced with the biggest challenge yet. Her mommy issues…

Separated from his family and freshly homeless, Donnie’s life takes an unexpected turn when he lands a janitorial job at a boxing gym that trains state and national champions. His consistency and quiet determination catch the attention of the gym’s owner, Coach Tony, who offers Donnie not just work, but a safe haven. As Donnie’s admiration for the gritty world of boxing grows, he is drawn into the ring himself. Despite Coach Tony’s initial hesitation, the two begin a demanding journey of physical and mental training. Through struggle and perseverance, Donnie discovers discipline, purpose, and the strength to keep going. Ultimately, Donnie must confront his abusive past in order to move forward, fighting not only for himself, but for the liberation of those he loves, merging his passion for boxing with the pursuit of healing and redemption.

English

Donnie

Kicked out his abusive stepfather and now homeless, a Nigerian-American teen finds refuge and purpose in the gritty world of Boxing.

On the day of his release from prison, young father Obi must reunite with his estranged daughter Ife and finally face up to the lie that she has been led to believe - that he was in space. Obi arrives at the vibrant Nigerian café owned by Tola, Obi’s partner and mother to Ife, dressed in an orange spacesuit and helmet; an attempt to stretch his deception just long enough to build a relationship with his hopeful daughter. First, he must win over Ife, a smart little girl who has learned every fact about space in anticipation of her dad’s long-awaited return. Across a café table, Obi and Ife bond over cosmic wonders, with her probing questions slowly unravelling the fragile lie that has kept their distant bond alive. As Obi’s anxiety spikes, he realises that he must make a choice: tell Ife the truth, or risk losing her in the lie forever.

The Truth About Space

A young man is released from prison and has to face up to the lie that his estranged daughter has been led to believe – that he was in space.

Haunted by a night of reckless joy with his friends, Jaylen, now an adult, struggles to reconcile the carefree thrill of their youthful adventure with the lasting scars it left behind. As he grapples with his troubled past and a strained relationship with his father, Jaylen must face the choices that shaped his life and find a way to move forward.

Gift Horse

Haunted by a night of reckless joy with his friends, Jaylen, now an adult, struggles to reconcile the carefree thrill of their youthful adventure with the lasting scars it left behind. As he grapples with his troubled past and a strained relationship with his father, Jaylen must face the choices that shaped his life and find a way to move forward.

Bella’s morning starts with a broken plate and parental indifference. At school, a health lesson on drug-resistant gonorrhea sends her into a spiral—she’s convinced her pimples and period changes mean she has it. Misinformed friends only fuel her panic. Meanwhile, Bella’s mother, Sheila, grapples with how to discuss sex with her daughter after overhearing alarmist reactions from other parents. Realizing she and her husband were once just as uninformed, she decides it’s time for open conversations. But Bella’s father would rather avoid it—until Sheila makes it clear that change is coming. A story about misinformation, generational gaps, and the courage to have honest conversations.

Bella is Dying, Maybe Next Week

12 year old Bella decides something is deeply wrong with her because of one rookie mistake: checking her symptoms on the internet. Little does she know that everyone - including her parents - is just as clueless as her.

DARNELL JOSEPH, a 29 year old Army veteran, cuts his hair before hanging himself in his apartment. When he loses consciousness, he recalls a moment from his childhood with his younger brother, KOREY. When Darnell regains consciousness, he discovers that he is still alive because the structure that he was hanging from collapsed. Darnell returns to his hometown, Detroit, to find Korey working as a barber. Korey and Darnell have a stilted conversation as Korey is angry that he hasn’t heard from Darnell in a couple years. Korey tells Darnell to visit their father, JAMES. Darnell arrives at James’ house, approaches the door, but can’t bring himself to knock. He leaves. The next day, he visits an old military friend which convinces him to try harder to communicate with his father. He returns to James’ house and discovers he is in hospice from a terminal illness. Korey explains the burden that their father’s illness put on him as the sole care provider to which Darnell responds apathetically. Korey goads Darnell into a squabble and expresses his resentment for Darnell leaving him to grow up alone. Darnell returns to his hotel room where he scrolls through Korey’s social media and realizes how much of Korey’s life he’s missed. Later that night, Korey calls Darnell to report that James has died. Darnell meets Korey at the funeral home to prepare James for the funeral service. In the preparation room, Darnell gives James a haircut for his final send off, relieving Korey of the task. Sometime later, Darnell returns to James’ house and gives Korey a haircut.

The Cut

When a troubled veteran returns home to reconcile with his estranged brother, an unexpected challenge threatens to derail his journey of healing.

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Discover the stories shaping this year’s Seattle Black Film Festival. The Virtual Catalog features a curated selection of films available to stream during the festival window, highlighting innovative work by Black filmmakers locally and globally.

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