FILMS

The Toronto Black Film Festival is dedicated to giving unique voices in cinema the opportunity to present audiences with new ways of looking at the world. A dynamic, refreshing and audacious Festival whose ambition is to encourage the development of the independent film industry and to promote more films on the reality of Black people from around the Globe. Cool, international, independent, politically incorrect and eye-opening, TBFF is about discovery. TBFF will showcase the most outstanding and most powerful Black films while creating a space to debate major cultural, social and socio-economic issues.


The Toronto Black Film Festival is dedicated to giving unique voices in cinema the opportunity to present audiences with new ways of looking at the world. A dynamic, refreshing and audacious Festival whose ambition is to encourage the development of the independent film industry and to promote more films on the reality of Black people from around the Globe. 

How Black Panther Changed the World

An in-depth look into the ground-breaking success and production of Black Panther​

There are not many films that shook up the industry quite like the way Black Panther did. A financial powerhouse that made over 1.3 billion dollars and as of now sits as the twelfth highest grossing film of all-time. After 17 successful movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you would think Disney would just stay the course and continue using their successful formula. Yet thanks to determined leadership, a collaborative director and a powerful story, the 18th film Black Panther, was anything but familiar. Join us as we reflect on the picture’s many achievements, it’s cultural significance throughout the world and the challenges it faced, getting onto the big screen. 

Sisters in the Struggle Documentary NFB

Hidden Figures 

Three brilliant African-American women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) -- serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world.

Hidden Figures Be the First 1 

Hidden Figures-''There's no bathroom for me here...''

The Hate U Give- Trailer

The Hate U Give  - Hailey and Starr Fighting Scene from the Movie

13th 

This documentary by Ava DuVernay includes scholars, activists and politicians, analysing the criminalisation of African-Americans and the US prison boom

When They See Us 

A series created, co-written and directed by Ava DuVernay about the events of a 1989 case and the Central Park 5 (now known as the Exonerated 5), who were wrongly imprisoned for a violent the assault. 

American Son 

This film,  by Kenny Leonbased on the Broadway play of the same name, shows the increased tensions of an estranged couple face as they search for their missing teen son alongside indifferent police.

Clemency 

Years of carrying out death row executions are taking a toll on Warden Bernadine Williams. As she prepares for another one, Williams must confront the psychological and emotional demons that her job creates.  By Chinonye Chukwu

Just Mercy 

The true story of lawyer, Bryan Stevenson, battling to overturn thewrongful murder conviction of Walter McMillian.

Dear White People 

A Netflix series following several Black college students at a largely white Ivy League school – based on the film of the same name.

In My Blood It Runs 

FilmmakerMayaNewell follows a 10-year-old Aboriginal boy and his family as they strive to give him the best education possible as he grows up Alice Springs, Australia.

Hidden Figures 

The true story of three African-American women working at NASA as mathematicians, starring Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson

Burden

An orphan raised within the Ku Klux Klan is persuaded to leave by his girlfriend. When the Klan seeks him out for vengeance, a black congregation led by a benevolent reverend take him, his girlfriend and her son in. 

Black Panther

After his father's death, T'Challa returns home to Wakanda to inherit his throne. However, a powerful enemy related to his family threatens to attack his nation. 

BlackkKlansman

Ron Stallworth is the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs PD. Determined to make a name for himself, Stallworth bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. 

Black

Two worlds collide when Mavela, a gang-affiliated teenage girl, falls for a boy from a rival gang. When their passions prove too powerful to resist, the young lovers find themselves facing an impossible dilemma. 

Moonlight

Chiron, a young African-American boy, finds guidance in Juan, a drug dealer, who teaches him to carve his own path. As he grows up in Miami, Juan's advice leaves a lasting impression on him. 

Do The Right Thing

Sal is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out, becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should show black actors, but Sal disagrees. 

Get Out

Chris, an African-American man, decides to visit his Caucasian girlfriend's parents during a weekend getaway. Although they seem normal at first, he is not prepared to experience the horrors ahead. 

Malcom X

Biographical epic of the controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader, from his early life and career as a small-time gangster, to his ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam. 

Origins

“Origin” aims to link the violent repercussions of American slavery to the horrific crimes of the Holocaust to India's degrading caste system in a narrative that combines gnawing grief with a cyclical sense of history. 

Nope

A man and his sister discover something sinister in the skies above their California horse ranch, while the owner of a nearby theme park tries to profit from the mysterious, otherworldly phenomenon. 

Shirley

In 1972, the first-ever Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, launched a trailblazing campaign to become the president of the United States. 

Bob Marley One Love

Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley overcomes adversity to become the most famous reggae musician in the world. 

Birth of a Nation

The Birth of a Nation is a landmark of film history. It was the first 12-reel film ever made and, at three hours, also the longest up to that point. Its plot, part fiction and part history, chronicling the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth and the relationship of two families in the Civil War and Reconstruction eras over the course of several years—the pro-Union (Northern) Stonemans and the pro-Confederacy (Southern) Camerons—was by far the most complex of any movie made up to that date. The film was controversial even before its release and has remained so ever since; it has been called "the most controversial film ever made in the United States". Lincoln is portrayed positively, unusual for a narrative that promotes the Lost Cause ideology. On the other hand, the film portrays African Americans (many of whom are played by white actors in blackface) as unintelligent and sexually aggressive toward white women. The film presents the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) as a heroic force necessary to preserve American values and a white supremacist social order. In response to the film's depictions of black people and Civil War history, African Americans across the nation organized and participated in protests against The Birth of a Nation. In places such as in Boston where thousands of white people viewed the film, black leaders tried to have it banned on the basis that it inflamed racial tensions and could incite violence. The NAACP spearheaded an unsuccessful campaign to ban the film. Griffith's indignation at efforts to censor or ban the film motivated him to produce Intolerance the following year.

The Talk

Debuted in 2017, “The Talk” highlights the painful, but necessary conversations Black parents have with their children to help prepare them for prejudices they may face growing up in a society that judges them based on the color of their skin. Directed by Malik Vitthal and produced together with BBDO and Egami Group, the film received numerous accolades including a Daytime Emmy Award. 

The Look

Created in 2019, “The Look” uses historical references and contemporary stories to highlight the bias experienced by Black men in America. The film helps to build empathy, change perspectives, prompt personal introspection, and bring people together for conversation. Produced by Saturday Morning with Anthony Mandler and Malik Sayeed, the film is used as an educational tool at institutions across the country. 

Widen the Screen

Words alone won’t create change. Sustained action and investment are necessary to address the systemic bias and inequality in advertising and media. Widen The Screen is an expansive content creation, talent development, and partnership platform that celebrates creativity and enables Black creators to share the full richness of the Black experience. Only when we Widen The Screen to Widen Our View can we all broaden the spectrum of the images we see, the voices we hear, the stories we tell, and the people we understand. Fully. 

Redefine Black

No asterisk. No quotations. No question. But there are negative words in the dictionary that define us otherwise. Have you ever seen them? They are harmful words that affect how we think of ourselves. Offensive words that impact how we feel. Derogatory words that influence perceptions of us. Words like dirty, wicked and hostile. Words that need to change. We know that the words others use to describe us do not define us. 

Disrupt & Dismantle

Inequities and in​justices need to be challenged and changed. Procter & Gamble in partnership with BET present Disrupt and Dismantle. A series tackling a number of inequities and injustices plaguing the Black community. Join Soledad O'Brien and Bevy Smith for a conversation to explore the recurring inequity and injustice Black people face in America and how we can rally our community to affect positive change. Visit DisruptDismantle.com to learn more on how you can step up for acts of good. 

NO Studios

Founded by Academy Award winner and Wisconsin native John Ridley, Nō Studios is both a member-driven physical space and digital platform geared toward artists and art lovers. Nō Studios is dedicated to supporting talent, elevating artists, and most importantly to bridging communities through the shared appreciation of interpersonal expression. 

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