Denton Black Film Festival Reveals 2027 Theme: Together We Make
News related to:Denton Black Film Festival · 2 min read
DENTON, TX, UNITED STATES, September 28, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Denton Black Film Festival has unveiled its 2027 theme, "Together We Make," as it prepares to host its 17th edition from January 27 to February 7, 2027. This event, the largest Black film festival in Texas and the Southwest, will mark the first major Black film festival of the year in the United States. The festival will expand its reach this year with a virtual extension from February 1 to February 7, 2027, and Creative Connect events across Texas, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among filmmakers, artists, and other creatives.
The festival will feature a variety of categories for film and screenplay submissions, including Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Short Narrative Films, Short Documentary Films, Original Music Videos, College Student Shorts, Texas High School Student Shorts, and Texas Short Screenplays. Submissions are now open and will close on October 15, 2026, with an extended deadline on November 4, 2026. Filmmakers and creatives from around the world are encouraged to submit work that reflects the richness, diversity, and complexity of Black experiences, cultures, and communities.
The festival is supported by the City of Denton and by Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand through the Jordan Black Community Commitment. It is also supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts. The festival aims to celebrate Black culture while creating opportunities for people to connect through shared stories and experiences.
As the nation's first major Black film festival of 2027, the Denton Black Film Festival is poised to set the tone for the year's storytelling, culture, and community events. The festival's theme, "Together We Make," underscores the collaborative spirit that drives the festival and the broader community it serves.
The 2027 festival will take place in Denton, Texas, from January 27 to January 31, with virtual programming continuing through February 7. The festival will build momentum toward its 2027 edition through the Road to DBFF campaign, which will highlight the creative people, communities, and connections that contribute to the festival's work. The campaign builds on Creative Connect gatherings held since June in San Antonio, Austin, Waco, and Houston. Through these conversations, DBFF is introducing the festival to creatives across Texas while learning more about their work, interests, and communities. Additional Road to DBFF activities will be announced.
The festival will feature a range of events, including film screenings, workshops, and panel discussions. Filmmakers and creatives from around the world are invited to submit their work, with regular and extended submission deadlines. The festival will also offer sponsorship opportunities for organizations interested in supporting the Road to DBFF tour and other festival activities.
The Denton Black Film Festival Institute, the organization behind the festival, is committed to celebrating and promoting Black culture through film, music, art, and other creative experiences. The festival's theme, "Together We Make," reflects the collaborative spirit that drives the festival and the broader community it serves.