Let me look those up.Here is the updated article with project descriptions:
ESSENCE Festival of Culture 2026 Doubles Down on Film and TV, From Exclusive Studio Previews to Indie Shorts
ESSENCE Festival of Culture Presented by Coca-Cola is planting a serious flag in the film and television space this year. The festival’s 2026 daytime programming, set for July 3 through 5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, includes exclusive studio previews, an indie film slate drawn from more than 600 global submissions, and a pitch competition.
Prime Video is bringing first looks at three projects:
- Ride or Die — An action comedy starring and executive produced by Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham as two lifelong best friends whose world gets turned upside down when one reveals she has been living a secret life as an international assassin. The eight-episode series premieres July 15 on Prime Video. Creator Ben Watkins and cast members including Octavia Spencer and Michael Ealy are expected to participate.
- Neagley — A Reacher spinoff starring Maria Sten, who reprises her role as Frances Neagley, now a private investigator in Chicago who is pulled into a dangerous conspiracy after an old friend dies in suspicious circumstances. Alan Ritchson appears in a guest role.
- The Greatest — The first-ever authorized scripted series on Muhammad Ali, executive produced by Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society and created by Ben Watkins. Newcomer Jaalen Best stars as Ali, with Michael Ealy as Malcolm X, Amin Joseph as Sonny Liston, Omari Hardwick and Dana Gourrier as Ali’s parents, and Kai Parham as his brother. The series traces Ali’s life from his early days as Cassius Clay through his rise as one of the most iconic figures in history. Cast members Jaalen Best, Dana Gourrier, Michael Ealy, Amin Joseph and Kai Parham are expected to participate alongside creator Ben Watkins.
Disney is bringing an exclusive look at one project and a world premiere:
- The Drop: A Snowfall Saga — The FX spinoff of the acclaimed six-season crime drama Snowfall picks up in 1990s Los Angeles, where fan-favorite characters Wanda Bell (Gail Bean) and Leon Simmons (Isaiah John) are trying to reinvent themselves as the fallout from the crack epidemic fuels the explosive rise of West Coast rap. Wanda believes hip-hop has the power to reshape American culture and assembles a ragtag crew to make it happen, navigating the dangerous overlap of music and street politics. The series premieres September 8 on FX and Hulu. Cast members Gail Bean, Isaiah John, Asante Blackk, Peyton Alex Smith and Simmie “Buddy” Simms III are expected to participate.
- The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Season 4 — A world premiere screening of the newest season of the beloved Disney animated series.
On the independent side, the ESSENCE Film Festival received more than 600 submissions from filmmakers around the world and will spotlight narrative features, documentaries, social impact stories, short films and the growing microdrama format. This year’s slate includes:
- A Portrait of a Postman — Featuring Tina Knowles.
- Please Return Your Cart — Executive produced by Issa Rae.
- ChikaBOOM! — Starring Yara Shahidi.
- Funny Feelings — Featuring Mack Wilds, Pretty Vee, B. Simone, Terri J. Vaughn, Etienne Maurice and Pastor Mike Jr.
- FreeLance — Starring KevOnStage and Spence Moore II.
- Switches — Featuring Sinqua Walls.
Sanaa Lathan will also participate in the ESSENCE Film Festival Pitch Competition.
Beyond the screenings, the daytime lineup extends into wellness, food, beauty, books and community programming.
- Keke Palmer leads a mat pilates session as part of Unbothered & Well, a new wellness destination covering women’s health, mental health and self-advocacy.
- Chef Nina Compton returns as curator of the ESSENCE Food & Wine Festival.
- The Book Festival features programming curated by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Mara Brock Akil, with appearances from Tiffany D. Cross, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Jamilah Lemieux, Tayari Jones and more.
- Suede: Men’s Experience returns with conversations around culture, style and finance, alongside DJ Envy’s Drive Your Dreams Car Show.
- Presenting partner Coca-Cola will bring its own footprint to the weekend featuring appearances from Normani, Ryan Destiny and Eva Marcille, with performances by Mario, Coi Leray, Destin Conrad and Grambling State University’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band.
Daytime programming is free with registration through the E360 app. General doors open at 10 a.m. CT on Friday, July 3, with Convention Center VIP access beginning at 9 a.m. CT.