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By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | July 11, 2025
Atlanta will shine in the global film spotlight once again this August as the 16th Annual BronzeLens Film Festival (BLFF) returns with nearly 100 films from 60 countries, spotlighting stories created by or about people of color. Running from August 20–24, 2025, the festival promises a vibrant blend of screenings, masterclasses, and celebrations, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for diverse storytelling in cinema.
On Wednesday, July 9, the BronzeLens Film Festival announced its Official Selections for 2025. The lineup features a diverse mix of short narratives, features, documentaries, dance films, student projects, web series, and music videos. These works come from creators across the globe—including Angola, Australia, Botswana, France, Mexico, South Africa, the United States, and more—underscoring the festival’s growing international reach.
Founded in 2009 as a nonprofit organization, BronzeLens was born from a bold vision: to promote Atlanta as a global film mecca for people of color, while creating opportunities for aspiring filmmakers to learn, connect, and grow. The concept was originated by William Pate, President of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB), with Kathleen Bertrand, then ACVB Senior Vice President, tasked with bringing the idea to life. Bertrand conducted a feasibility study, identified a gap in the market, and in 2010 launched the inaugural festival—screening 24 films across four days, supported by panels with industry giants like Will Packer, Rob Hardy, Roger Bobb, and Tirrell Whittley.
That debut also included the first feature film from Ava DuVernay, “I Will Follow,” and soon after, BronzeLens became a founding member of the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM), now known as ARRAY. This strategic alliance propelled BLFF onto the national stage and cemented its role as a launchpad for visionary Black creatives.
Today, BronzeLens is more than just a festival—it’s a movement. Under the leadership of Executive Producer Kathleen Bertrand and Artistic Director Deidre McDonald, BLFF now operates year-round. Its programming includes the Page to Screen Book Club, children’s initiatives, industry workshops, and an upcoming Facebook Live series spotlighting screenwriters, funded by the City of Atlanta’s Power2Give program.
A major milestone came in 2016 when BronzeLens became an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival in the Short Film category. This means winners of Best Short at BLFF are eligible for Oscar consideration without the typical theatrical release. In 2018, BLFF’s winning short “Wale” made it to the Oscars shortlist—a testament to the festival’s growing influence. The 2024 winner, The Rebel Girls, directed by Felicia D. Henderson, took home Best Short, Best of Festival, and earned Nika King a Best Actress award.
16th Annual
2025 BronzeLens Official Selections
Dance Videos
.Do .Re . Mi DYSNOMIA
Cut Me Summa Dat Noise ORIGIN
The Danger of Silence
Music Videos
Born For This Mission (Walk Through The Fire) FREEDOM
PATIENCE Rage
Documentary
American Beauty
Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story
Beyond The Headlines: The NABJ Journey
Come Together: Art’s Power for Change
Facing the Wind
Following Harry
Guardians of the Flame
Love, Joy & Power: Tools For Liberation
Me Period
Mount Mutombo
Rap Dixon: Beyond Baseball
We Were Here – The Untold Story of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe
When We Free The World
Short Documentary
Beads, Braids & Barrettes
Bloodlines, Mississippi
Even Me 2.0
Exodus
Grounded: Creating Space for Black Peace
Her Fight, His Name: The Story of Gwen Carr and Eric Garner
Hoops, Hopes & Dreams
Howardena Pindell: Inner Circle
Keur Simbara
Say Yes To Destiny
She is Us: The Story of Judge Songhai Armstead
They Call Me Sue
Welcome Home
With Grace
Features
A Kismet Holiday
A Mess of Memories
Can You Stand The Rain
Color Book
Ratchet
Secrets, Scores, and Seduction
The Rhythm & The Blues
International Features
NAWI The Fisherman
Student Films
Anything Helps THE ENCROACHER
Curtain Call The Interviewee
Desync Washed
Intsikelelo Yamnzi Weekend One
Jean & I
Web Series
Hogtown / Ainsi Va Manu Welcome to the Forties
Short Films
?Enought!
A Beauty Supply In Queens
ADO
An Extraordinary Life
B Is For Bachata
Before You Let Go
Black Ballerina You Should Be a Model
Blackberry Winter
Chronology
Complicated Grief
COURAGE
Don’t Be Late, Myra
Don’t Hang Up
Father Time
Flick
Hard
I Wish I Were Pretty
Issa Date
JULES
LAUNDRY
Love Is Blind: Short Film
Missing Rhythms
Moonluck Wonton
Nothin’ Good & 12th Street
Old Gray Mare
Once Upon A Dime
Project Foster
Red Clay
Ree’s Destiny
Run Like We
SOAR
The Cut
The Golden Boy
The Last Dance
The Off-Brands
The Ohio, Texas Remix
The Performance
The Untying
The Lyricist
Thomasville
Time Is Money
UNCAGED
Unexpected Ties
Waiting
Where The Children Go To Play
While You Were Sleeping
Wi Cyah Stay
Winter PsalmYasodhora
This year’s screenings will take place at the historic Tara Theatre, while the grand awards ceremony will be held at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center on the campus of Morehouse College. The Thompson Buckhead Hotel returns as the official festival hotel.
Beyond the films, BronzeLens is known for its powerhouse panels and workshops. These sessions offer attendees actionable insights and invaluable industry access.
The highlight of Superstars Weekend is the BronzeLens Women Superstars Honors, held at Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts. This signature event celebrates Black women who have transformed film and television—whether in front of or behind the camera. Honorees are chosen for their groundbreaking storytelling, cultural impact, and commitment to mentoring the next generation. It’s not only a night of glitz and recognition, but a space where trailblazers and emerging voices build lasting connections.
“We are constantly in awe of the breadth and beauty of stories we receive from around the world,” said McDonald. “BronzeLens is about celebrating the art of filmmaking while building the networks that ensure these stories get told.”
With submissions pouring in from places as far as Botswana, France, Jordan, and Panama, BronzeLens has built a global platform with local roots. Its commitment to education, representation, and innovation continues to position Atlanta as a thriving nexus for diverse storytelling in film.
For the full list of 2025 Official Selections, visit BronzeLens Film Festival Official Site or check out the announcement video on YouTube.
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