Autumn Sun Organization Partners with Detroit for Inaugural HBCU Student Film Invitational

Autumn Sun, a grassroots organization supporting young, Black artists, is set to hold its inaugural, in-person HBCU Student Film Invitational in Detroit.

The festival will feature 25 short films from HBCUs, with students competing for a $10,000 Jury Award.

The event will be broadcast live on HBCU Go TV, part of the Byron Allen Media Group.

Michigan Central is the festival’s Presenting Partner, with support from the City of Detroit Office of Arts, Culture, and Entrepreneurship, The Skillman Foundation, Ally Financial, 313 Presents, and Alabama A&M University.

See the Top 25 finalists here.

“When the doors open for the first in-person HBCU Film Invitational, it will mark six years since the genesis of this endeavor,” founder Bruce Clifton said,

“Detroit is a creative arts hub for every genre, fine and performing arts, dance, everything – so it’s no surprise that our city is growing its opportunities for filmmakers,” Rochelle Riley, Director of Arts and Culture for the City, said. “The City is so proud to partner on an effort to expand opportunities for young voices and diverse voices in the film industry.”

Details for the upcoming festival including hosts, special guests, entertainment and registration for free events will be announced on Aug. 1.

“Filmmakers are innovators in their own right and so it makes perfect sense to have the HBCU Film Festival in Detroit and specifically at Newlab at Michigan Central, which is our new hub for innovation,” Duggan said.

“We are thrilled to be able to host this film festival to showcase the incredible talent that exists at our Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

The festival is scheduled for August 23rd and 24th, featuring film screenings, entertainment, and panel discussions, culminating in the awards presentation and gala.

Visit AutumnSunFest.org and follow @AutumnSunFest on social media platforms to access the most up-to-date information.