The Micheaux Film Festival has officially revealed the full lineup for its seventh edition, set to take place October 23–26, 2025, at The Culver Theater and surrounding venues in Los Angeles. Named in honor of pioneering filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, the festival has become a vital platform for multicultural storytelling and underrepresented voices across film and television. This year’s program continues that mission with 36 World Premieres, over 100 Los Angeles Premieres, and a dynamic mix of features, documentaries, shorts, series, panels, and masterclasses.
A Platform for Global Storytellers
Co-founded by Noel Braham and Courtney L. Branch, the Micheaux Film Festival remains one of the most important spaces for emerging creators. It’s not just a showcase — it’s a movement that pushes the boundaries of independent cinema.
“This year’s lineup offers a powerful commentary on the urgent issues confronting humanity,” said Branch. “The filmmakers in this year’s program are boldly using their voices to examine and critique the systems that shape our lives, tackling subjects ranging from education and mental health to immigration and beyond.”
The 2025 submissions hit record highs, with nearly half of directors identifying as first-time or early-career filmmakers. More than 60% of projects feature majority women, BIPOC, or LGBTQIA+ crews, while 8% of directors self-identify as having a disability — further proof that Micheaux continues to champion true diversity behind the camera.
Feature & Documentary Highlights
Opening night kicks off with It’s Dorothy, a reimagining of the Wizard of Oz legacy featuring Ashanti, Lena Waithe, Rufus Wainwright, and Amber Ruffin. The film explores how Dorothy’s journey has become a cultural mirror across generations — a fitting start for a festival devoted to evolution and imagination.
Other feature highlights include Silent Prey, a mystery thriller from Avan Hardwell; The ReWrite, Terry Dawson’s satirical take on Black authenticity in Hollywood; and Lives Beyond Motion, a documentary celebrating the resilience of male dancers of color, including Bill T. Jones and Kyle Abraham.
The festival closes with She Dances, a touching family drama starring Steve Zahn, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Ethan Hawke.
Shorts and Series: Diverse, Daring, and Unapologetic
Micheaux’s shorts programming has become one of its strongest draws, offering distinct perspectives across identity, genre, and emotion.
This year’s slate features over 20 curated blocks, including:
- “Life and Death, Vol. 1” – Exploring mortality and memory through standout films like Rear Desert and Laundry.
- “Sex+” – Fearless and funny explorations of intimacy and identity, highlighted by Fufu and Soup and Cuming Out starring Saved by the Bell’s Alycia Pascual-Peña.
- “Go Hard or Go Home” – Stories of perseverance, including GO from Dusan Brown and Negro League Nights starring Deric Augustine and Jordan L. Jones.
- “The Scaries” – A chilling collection of horror shorts like Let the Myth Be and Cut Me If You Can, which cleverly subverts the “Black character dies first” trope.
Series premieres include Remember, a heartfelt queer dramedy starring Bernard David Jones and Hosea Chanchez, and the powerful docuseries Diminished Returns: The Black Wealth Gap in Washington, D.C., which examines the systemic barriers impacting Black communities in the nation’s capital.
Panels, Masterclasses, and Industry Spotlights
Beyond the screen, Micheaux continues to build bridges between creativity and opportunity. This year’s festival features an impressive lineup of panels, fireside chats, and workshops designed to empower and educate filmmakers.
Highlights include:
- “Story & Soul: A Conversation with Felicia Pride” (Queen Sugar, Grey’s Anatomy)
- “Behind the Page: How Showrunners Stay Inspired” featuring creators from All American, Bel-Air, and Black-ish
- “Career Retrospective: How I Built My Digital Empire with Kinigra Deon”
- “The Future of Film & TV: A State of the Industry”, unpacking the evolving Hollywood landscape
- A Fireside Chat with Tommy Davidson, celebrating his three-decade legacy from In Living Color to The Proud Family
For emerging creatives, workshops like “Actors Workshop with Chris Greene” and “Show Me the Money: The Economics of Film & TV” offer practical insights on career sustainability and creative growth.
Events and Community Connections
Micheaux has built a reputation for blending art, culture, and celebration. The 2025 edition continues that legacy with events like “The Black Out” Opening Soiree, “The Warriors Circle” VIP Mixer, and the Young Hollywood Gold Closing Party, culminating in the Micheaux Awards Show honoring standout achievements in filmmaking.
From the Quick Cup Meet-Ups that foster networking to the Carbon Copy Climate Narrative Pitch Competition, the festival remains committed to cultivating community and sparking collaboration.
Why the Micheaux Film Festival Matters
In an era where diverse voices still fight for equitable visibility, the Micheaux Film Festival stands as a crucial cultural pillar — one that doesn’t just celebrate inclusion but builds infrastructure for it. By platforming storytellers of color, women, LGBTQIA+ talent, and those from underrepresented backgrounds, Micheaux continues to shape the future of film and television.
With its blend of artistry, authenticity, and access, the festival remains one of the most important multicultural film events in the country — a living tribute to Oscar Micheaux’s pioneering spirit and a vibrant reminder that independent doesn’t mean invisible.
For the full 2025 Micheaux Film Festival lineup, visit micheauxfilmfest.com.