Welcome to the Charlotte black film festival
The mission of the Charlotte Black Film Festival (CBFF) is to provide a platform for African American filmmakers and content creators to showcase their work, celebrate their culture, and tell their stories. We promote diversity and inclusion in the film industry by highlighting the talents and contributions of Black artists and those telling the stories of the African diaspora.
Through screenings, workshops, panel discussions, and networking events, CBFF seeks to foster collaboration, education, and inspiration among filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences. The festival’s goal is to empower Black creatives, provide opportunities for their voices to be heard, and contribute to the advancement of social, economic, and cultural change through the power of cinema.
Signature EVENTS
Events
COMPETITIONS
COMPETITIONS
Festival box office
2024 sponsors
News & Impact
CEO of CBFF on Cover of Pride Charlotte Magazine
The founder of the Charlotte Black Film Festival, Tommy Nichols, is not only passionate about the films, he’s also on a mission to advance job creation in Charlotte using digital technology education and training in film production. Nichols says he’s dedicated to “creating empowering platforms for dope people to do amazing things.”
CBFF Creates Streaming Platform for African Americans Creators
For 11 years, Charlotte Black Film Festival has empowered African American creators with networking and exposure, and now they have created a streaming platform that offers even more opportunities for success.
The Great 28: Black Charlotteans who are shaping our city
As technology advances, so do Tommy Nichols’ efforts to close the digital divide in underserved communities. Through his various organizations, Nichols has trained and engaged with more than 700 youth, adults, and seniors in classes ranging from digital filmmaking to coding to helping seniors securely navigate the Internet. This year, he will look to expand his digital footprint by introducing The Center for Digital Churches, which will focus on equipping churches with technology tools to grow and close the digital divide. Most recently, the National Park Service contracted with Nichols to write, direct, and produce a “History of African Americans in The Great Smoky Mountains.” The documentary short will premiere in March during the National Public Lands Alliance conference in San Francisco. “As I have broken barriers, I continue to enlarge the space by creating equity and inclusion in the film and technology industries
