HBCU First LOOK Film & TV Festival Celebrates Black Creativity
News related to:HBCU First LOOK Film & TV Festival · 3 min read
WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, November 12, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The 4th Annual HBCU First LOOK Film & TV Festival, presented by STARZ, recently transformed the Howard University campus into a hub of creativity and industry insight. The three-day event, held from November 5 to 7, featured a lineup of star-studded panels, film screenings, and networking opportunities, aiming to provide aspiring Black creatives with a comprehensive masterclass in the film and television industry.
STARZ's P-Valley stars, Nicco Annan and Shannon Thornton, kicked off the festival by sharing their experiences and insights into the craft of television. Additionally, rising actors Kennedi Reece and DaSan Frazier of Netflix’s "A Different World" offered a glimpse into the next chapter of the beloved series, which has already been renewed for a second season.
The festival also hosted a diverse array of industry professionals. Grammy-winning producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis joined Tony Award winner Myles Frost for a conversation about the business of music. Actress and filmmaker Nicki Micheaux examined opportunities in the growing drama market presented by TVOne. Film screenings were at the heart of the festival, offering a platform for storytelling and connecting audiences directly with the creative talent behind the work.
The opening night ‘Friday Night Lights’ showcase featured award-winning films such as "Rise of the Legion" and "93 ’Til," the latter produced by and starring LaRoyce Hawkins, formerly of "Chicago PD." These films highlighted independent filmmaking and the creative vision required to bring original stories to the screen.
A special "GOD WITH US" Clips & Conversation featured writer-director Jimmy Jenkins and actress Ashley Olivia Fisher in a discussion moderated by TV producer Jawn Murray ahead of the film’s November 13 theatrical release.
Beyond the screen, FRAMEWRK Vol. 001: BELLY celebrated the visual legacy of Hype Williams’ influential film through an immersive exhibition of contemporary art, music, and installations. Closing night was a tribute to ANDSCAPE’s 10th anniversary, celebrating the fusion of Black culture and sports in storytelling.
The HBCU First LOOK Film 2026 Challenge attracted more than 450 submissions, showcasing emerging filmmakers whose work explored history, family, and identity. Three winners received a combined $8,500 in awards. Mya Delgado of Howard University earned the $2,500 second-place award for "Flowers," an intimate short film about a mother preparing her daughter for life after her death. Christian Sutton of Coppin State University received the $1,000 third-place award for "My Alter Ego," a film examining identity, trust, and self-discovery.
The festival honored accomplished HBCU alumni during the Salute THEM Awards Luncheon, recognizing their careers as a testament to what is possible across the entertainment industry. CBS’s "Beyond the Gates" star and Howard alum Colby Nixon was on hand to receive her “Storytellers” award, along with producer and "Visionary" award winner Alexis Powell, architect of "The Spirit Tunnel" on "The Jennifer Hudson Show." "Storyteller" honorees Jade & Jadah (Howard University) as well as broadcast journalist and "Changemaker" award recipient Jamila Mustafa (Delaware State University) were also in attendance.
At the Fuel Your Future Career & Wellness Lounge, supported by STARZ, Black Girl Vitamins, and aspireTV, students accessed professional headshots, video elevator pitches, career resources, networking, and wellness programming. The festival’s founder, Sheila Eldridge, emphasized the importance of providing students with access, mentorship, and opportunities to turn their potential into careers.
Partners of the festival included STARZ, ANDSCAPE, aspireTV, BGV, TV One, Storytellers Lab, Café Mocha Network, Howard University Radio, D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME), and HBCUgo.tv. The event not only provided a platform for emerging talent but also served as a destination and career pipeline for storytellers rooted in HBCU culture.