San Francisco Black Film Festival returns for its 27th season with star power, local voices and diaspora stories

San Francisco — The San Francisco Black Film Festival (SFBFF) returns for its 27th season this June, bringing four days of storytelling, celebration and cultural exchange through the lens of Black filmmakers from the Bay Area and beyond. SFBFF 2025 runs from June 19 to June 22 at venues across San Francisco and promises a dynamic lineup ranging from gripping documentaries to laugh-out-loud comedies.

This year’s theme is all about honoring the richness and diversity of Black culture through film. A strong spotlight is being placed on local talent from San Francisco and the greater Bay Area, while continuing the festival’s commitment to showcasing powerful voices from across the African Diaspora.

Bay Area Opening Day, on Thursday, June 19, kicks off at the Delancey Foundation Theater and will feature a special meet-and-greet with legendary actor and San Francisco native Danny Glover. Audiences will also get a chance to hear directly from filmmakers in a post-screening Q&A panel featuring Kevin Epps, director of “If We Don’t Work,” and the creators behind “Vibeland,” including Janaé Williams, Lauren Slone, and director Alexi Papalexopoulos.

“I am so happy to be able to continue the legacy of my grandmother, Ave Montague, and the San Francisco Black Film Festival,” said Cree Ray, Executive Director of SFBFF. “Well, not only my grandmother’s legacy, but my father’s, Kali Ray, too. It’s exciting! Growing up around SFBFF, being able to see the impact that it’s had throughout the years has been an honor.”

Beyond the big screen, SFBFF 2025 brings back its Third Annual Comedy Night, hosted by Bay Area comedian Tammy Tea Love. The festival’s Saturday program, titled For the Culture (June 21), features a full day of screenings, including “Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story,” a documentary chronicling the career of the pioneering Jamaican artist.

The festival closes with a Documentary Extravaganza at the San Francisco Public Library on Sunday, June 22, offering free admission to all attendees. Local short film “Twice As Fast” will be among the highlights in a day dedicated to community engagement and storytelling.

“We cannot wait for SFBFF 2025 to kick off our 27th season and continue to be a part of San Francisco’s artistic culture,” Ray added. “Please join us for SFBFF. We’d love to see you there, as our journey continues.”

Founded by the late Ave Montague, the San Francisco Black Film Festival continues to uphold her vision of creating space for Black stories to be seen, heard and celebrated.

For tickets, event updates and more information, visit https://www.sfbff.org/. 

Follow on Instagram: @sfblackfilmfestival

The Bay View’s executive editor and Hunters Point’s favorite son, filmmaker Kevin Epps, is best known for the game-changing “Straight Outta Hunters Point” and for “Black Rock,” “Rap Dreams,” “Fam Bam” and more. He has collaborated on projects with Google, Yahoo, Discovery Channel, Current TV and a host of other media partners. He was awarded an artist fellowship by the world renowned de Young Museum. His passion for advocacy for his community is legendary. He can be reached at kevin@sfbayview.com.

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