Welcome to the 27th annual Harlem Film Institute Film Festival. This year we have six films, starting with “A street renaming: Black Panther Party Way”. The film takes a look at a street in Harlem, renamed in dedication to the Black Panther Party, Our second film, “The Million Youth March”, takes a look at the million youth rally, lead by the late Dr. Khalid Muhammad. The film premiered at the first film festival.
The next film, “African Burial Ground Memorial” follows the ceremony and dedication to the burial site of Africans in lower Manhattan. The site includes the World Trade Center area, as well as the center street Courthouses. “Merci’s Journey” chronicles the life of my daughter, Dr.Merci Best, from a toddler to grad school, she is now a neuroscience researcher in Boston,
Anasia: the art of Anasia Mapp”, showcases the exquisite art of Anasia Mapp. The sixth and final film “Mr. Jason Andrew”, tells the haunting story of a life of former Harlem Film Institute student Jason Andrew.
The Harlem Film Institute is honored to induct Hailie Gerima into our Hall of Fame..
Director Turns To AI For Stereotypical Roles Black Actors Won’t Take
Director Paul Schrader sparked a debate after using AI in a film to portray three Black men as a corrupt cop, drug dealer and sexual deviant.
Hollywood has come a long way in its depiction of Black culture, going from an era where we couldn’t even be hired to portray our own race to becoming award-winning actors and actresses in our own right.
Unfortunately, we still deal with controversy when it comes to stereotypical roles reserved specifically for Black people. Although many thespians of color have shown autonomy in what acting jobs they choose to take or deny, the recent developments in artificial intelligence are threatening to add yet another hurdle to clear.
Famed director Paul Schrader proved that with his decision to use A.I. as a replacement for actors in his upcoming film, Three Guns At Dawn. His reason? No Black actors wanted to play the lead roles, which include a corrupt cop, a drug dealer and a sexual deviant.
“We sent it out to actors, and no Black actors wanted to play in a movie where there are no good Black people,” Schrader said in an interview with The Playlist, going on to blatantly add, “And it sort of died. But then AI came along, and I didn’t need Black actors.” The film, which originally had Antoine Fuqua attached to produce it, will reportedly be completely AI-generated. Schrader sees this decision as the project’s main source of pushback, completely ignoring the fact that Black actors simply don’t want to put on a performance that further perpetuates false characteristics of our race.
The Taxi Driver director’s affinity for A.I. has been brewing for a hot minute, even defending the use of it back in 2025 when he wrote on Facebook, “I just asked chatgpt for ‘an idea for Paul Schrader film.’ Then Paul Thomas Anderson. Then Quentin Tarantino. Then Harmony Korine. Then Ingmar Bergman. Then Rossellini. Lang. Scorsese. Murnau. Capra. Ford. Speilberg [sic]. Lynch. Every idea chatgpt came up with (in a few seconds) was good. And original. And fleshed out. Why should writers sit around for months searching for a good idea when AI can provide one in seconds?”
A few days ago, he added to the theory after getting self-satisfying results from ChatGPT on a prompt for a screenplay adaption of the Russell Banks novel, Affliction. “To ignore AI is to ignore the future,” he wrote as a closing statement. Our only rebuttal is, what about ignoring human decency?
“Million Youth March 1998”.
“African Burial Ground Memorial II”.
“Merci’s Journey”.
“Anasia: The Art of Anasia Mapp”.
“Mister Jason Andrew”.
(BPRW) HOUSTON’S BIFA FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES BLACK CINEMA, ROOTS, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
Two-day event features 19 independent films, a free outdoor Gumbo Festival and a Red Carpet Awards Gala honoring the 50-year legacy of “Roots”
(Black PR Wire) HOUSTON, Texas – The Black Independent Filmmakers Association will present the 2026 BIFA Film Festival on Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4, at the Community Collective for Houston, located at 12401 S. Post Oak Rd., Houston, Texas 77045.
Presented under the theme “Roots & Culture: Stories That Matter,” the two-day celebration will bring together independent filmmakers, actors, writers, artists and members of the Houston community for film screenings, filmmaker conversations, live entertainment, vendors, youth engagement and a special commemoration of the 50-year legacy of Alex Haley’s “Roots.”
The Saturday Film Festival will take place from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. and feature 19 independent films presented across two screening spaces. The program includes feature films, shorts, documentaries and stories addressing family, history, identity, culture and contemporary life.
An all-day Film Festival Pass is $20.
Outside the screening areas, the community is invited to enjoy the BIFA Gumbo Festival from noon until 7 p.m. Admission to the outdoor Gumbo Festival is free. Gumbo and other refreshments will be available for purchase.
“This festival is more than an event – it is a declaration that our stories matter and that we have the right to own how those stories are told,” said Thomas Carter, founder of the Black Independent Filmmakers Association. “BIFA is creating a place where independent filmmakers can be seen, heard and celebrated. We want people to leave inspired by the films, connected to the filmmakers and proud of the stories coming from our community.”
The celebration will continue Sunday, October 4, with the BIFA Red Carpet Awards Gala from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The gala will recognize outstanding independent films and performances while honoring Dr. My Haley with the Lawson Lifetime Humanitarian Award. The evening will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of “Roots” and its continuing cultural influence on generations of writers, filmmakers and audiences.
The gala will be hosted by Dr. Winnie King and will feature a keynote address from Melinda Spaulding Chevalier, vice president for public affairs at Rice University, along with a special “Roots” tribute performance.
Sunday’s Red Carpet Awards Gala is a separately ticketed event.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
BIFA Film Festival: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Film Festival Pass: $20
Outdoor Gumbo Festival: Noon-7 p.m.
Gumbo Festival admission: Free
Food purchases are separate.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
Red Carpet Awards Gala: 5:30-9 p.m.
Separately ticketed event
Location:
Community Collective for Houston
12401 S. Post Oak Rd.
Houston, Texas 77045
Tickets and complete festival information are available at BIFAFilm.com.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Members of the media may request interviews with BIFA founder Thomas Carter, participating filmmakers, actors, festival honorees and other featured guests. Advance requests for red-carpet access, photography, video coverage and on-site interviews are encouraged.
ABOUT THE BLACK INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS ASSOCIATION
The Black Independent Filmmakers Association is a Houston-based organization dedicated to supporting, developing and celebrating Black independent filmmakers and storytellers. Through festivals, screenings, workshops, educational programs and community partnerships, BIFA creates opportunities for independent voices to present authentic stories and connect with audiences.
BIFA’s guiding declaration is simple and powerful: We Own Our Stories.
Source: Black Independent Filmmakers Association (BIFA)
