Ten award-winning short films by students and recent graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) will premiere January 27 as part of the inaugural HBCU Week NOW Student Film Festival.
The selected films will stream nationally on the HBCU Week NOW YouTube Channel, showcasing powerful storytelling from emerging Black filmmakers across the country. Chosen from 36 submissions, each winning project receives a $5,000 cash award and inclusion in the first-of-its-kind public media festival.
"HBCU Week NOW is committed to recognizing the enduring history, legacy, and cultural contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This new film festival offers emerging filmmakers from HBCUs a prominent national platform, supporting their transition from academic projects to impactful contributions within public media.” “
A National Platform for Emerging HBCU Student Filmmakers
Produced by HBCU Week NOW, a public media partnership spearheaded by Maryland Public Television (MPT) and Black Public Media (BPM), the festival elevates student voices from HBCUs without requiring formal enrollment in film or media programs.
The winning filmmakers represent Hampton University, Howard University, and Spelman College, and their projects span documentary, experimental, animation, and science fiction.
Official 2026 HBCU Week NOW Student Film Festival Selections
For Me, By Me — Hannah Koonce (Spelman College ’28)
From Rodeo to Polo: The First HBCU Polo Team — Kendi King (Spelman College ’25)
The Hale Academy — Audra Davison (Spelman College ’22)
Lady T — Nia Lambert (Spelman College ’25)
One and Only — Zachary Ramseur (Hampton University ’28)
Paralysis by Analysis — Jolene Carter (Howard University ’25)
Shotgun — Quaran Ahmad (Howard University ’25)
StarChild — Miya Scaggs (Spelman College ’25)
What Is The Black Body? — Amira Barrett (Spelman College ’25)
Whispers of White — Kennedy Rome (Spelman College ’26)
Stories That Span History, Culture, and the Future
The festival slate explores themes ranging from the first HBCU polo and lacrosse teams to environmental justice, artificial intelligence, Black femininity, and identity, reflecting the depth and range of contemporary Black storytelling.
Selection Process and Eligibility
Black Public Media issued an open call for submissions in the spring of 2025, welcoming entries from current HBCU students and alumni who had graduated within the preceding three years. Formal enrollment in a film or media studies program was not required, ensuring broad access to talented creators from these institutions.
"These selections demonstrate a strong and vibrant pipeline for authentic Black storytelling that encompasses our past, present, and future. From intimate documentaries to innovative science fiction works, these filmmakers are well-positioned to influence the next generation of narrative media“
HBCU Week NOW Black History Month Features
Beyond the student film festival, HBCU Week NOW will expand its programming throughout Black History Month in February, including:
The return of Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect on PBS stations nationwide
Two new short film premieres on YouTube:
Bayou Magic: The Alvin Jazz Institute (Louisiana Public Broadcasting)
Wall of Sound (Alabama Public Broadcasting)
HBCU Week NOW partners include PBS North Carolina, South Carolina ETV, WXXI Rochester, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, WABE Atlanta, Howard University Television, and WORLD.
ABOUT HBCU WEEK NOW
HBCU Week NOW creates and distributes multi-platform digital content for a global audience about the students, alumni, leaders, and innovative programs of the nation’s HBCUs. Partnering PBS stations are collaborating to produce a collection of original long-form and short films, live events, and other HBCU-themed programming. HBCU Week NOW is made possible by support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and is sponsored by Morgan State University. Subscribe to @HBCUWeekNOW on YouTube and follow @HBCUWeekNOW on Instagram. Visit hbcuweeknow.com for more information.
ABOUT BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA (BPM)
BPM supports the development of visionary content creators and distributes stories about the global Black experience to inspire a more equitable and inclusive future. For nearly 50 years, BPM has addressed the needs of unserved and underserved audiences. BPM-supported programs have won five Emmys®,10 Peabodys, five Anthem Awards, 14 Emmy® nominations and an Oscar® nomination. BPM continues to address historical, contemporary, and systemic challenges that traditionally impede the development and distribution of Black stories.
ABOUT MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION
Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliate, offering entertaining, informative, educational, and inspiring content delivered by traditional broadcasting and streaming on TVs, computers, and mobile devices. A state agency, it operates under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission. MPT creates and distributes local, regional, and national content and is a frequent winner of regional Emmy® Awards. MPT’s commitment to educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through instructional events and Thinkport.org. MPT’s year-round community engagement activities connect viewers with resources on a wide range of topics. For more information visit mpt.org.
