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.

16^th 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 & 12^th 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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