bcchtx film festival 2026
The Inaugural Festival
April 17–19, 2026 | Houston, Texas
Three days celebrating Black stories, filmmakers, creativity, and community.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
In April 2026, Black Cinema Club HTX brought its commitment to Black storytelling to a new stage with the inaugural BCCHTX Film Festival.
Over three days, filmmakers, creatives, industry professionals, and film lovers came together across Houston to experience independent films, conversations, workshops, networking, and community-centered programming.
The inaugural festival was more than a weekend of screenings. It created a space for Black filmmakers to share their work, audiences to discover new stories, and Houston’s creative community to connect around a shared love of Black cinema.
And this was only the beginning.
2026 BY THE NUMBERS
3 DAYS
of film, conversation, and community
4 films
featured throughout the festival
400+ attendees
across festival programming
12 EVENTS & EXPERIENCES
including screenings, panels, workshops, and celebrations
2026 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
fresh frames
A special screening of Heart of Sunshine, directed by Joy Ofodu, featuring Houston native Madison Jade and Giovonnie Samuels (All That, Freedom Writers, Bring It On: All or Nothing), followed by an engaging conversation on navigating the entertainment industry as an emerging creative.
space city shorts
Our First Showcase of Houston's Finest Short Films
Moderated by Shannan E. Johnson
Script Consultant, The Professional Pen
Heavy is the Head
Director: Chap Edmonson
Ree's Destiny
Director: Steven Mosley
Starflame's Curse
Director: Marvin Oris
FEATURED GUESTS
The inaugural BCCHTX Film Festival welcomed filmmakers, actors, writers, producers, educators, and creative professionals who shared their knowledge, stories, and experiences throughout the weekend.
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Writer, Director & Creator of Bel-Air
Featured Speaker | The Director's Cut Masterclass
Click here to learn more about the guest -
Producer, They Cloned Tyrone
Featured Speaker | Industry Conversation -
Director of Development, Universal Pictures
Featured Speaker | Center Stage Closing Conversation -
Filmmaker & Professor of Film, University of Houston
Featured Speaker | Houston Hittas -
Actress, Dancer & Writer
Moderator | Houston Hittas
Joy Ofodu
Filmmaker & Voice Actor
Featured Filmmaker | Heart of Sunshine Screening & Discussion
Olivia Charmaine Morris
Actor
Featured Guest
Madison Jade
Actress
Featured Guest | Heart of Sunshine
Giovonnie Samuels
Actress
Featured Guest | Heart of Sunshine Screening, Discussion & CREATE-a-thon Mentor
Nate Edwards
Director
Panelist | Houston Hittas
Unique James
Producer & Manager
Panelist | Houston Hittas
Isaac Yowman
Filmmaker & Creative Director
Panelist | Houston Hittas
Jalene Mack
Entertainment Attorney, Producer, Writer & Actress
Panelist | Houston Hittas
Christian Robinson
Actor
CREATE-a-thon Mentor
Choni Francis
Actor
CREATE-a-thon Mentor
Cameron Dean
Storyteller
CREATE-a-thon Mentor
Korstiaan Vandiver
Storyteller
CREATE-a-thon Mentor
Shannan E. Johnson
Script Consultant, The Professional Pen
Moderator | Houston Short Film Showcase & CREATE-a-thon Mentor
Christiana Martin
Screenwriter
CREATE-a-thon Mentor
2026 Programming
Day 1 | Opening Night
Scenes & Soundtrax: Boomerang
In partnership with The Press Players Club, the inaugural festival kicked off with an unforgettable evening of music, film, and community, setting the stage for a weekend celebrating Black cinema.
Day 2 | Film & Education
A full day of curated film screenings, educational sessions, workshops, masterclasses, and engaging conversations designed to inspire, educate, and connect filmmakers and film lovers. The day concluded with the Black Cinema Club HTX Anniversary Party.
Day 3 | Industry House & Creative Sessions
The festival closed with a day dedicated to collaboration, career development, and creative growth. Programming included CREATE-a-thon, Houston Hittas, Center Stage, and the Film Grant Ceremony, bringing together industry professionals, emerging filmmakers, and the community while celebrating the launch of the Black Cinema Club HTX Academy.