Black & Brown Femme Film Festival 2025

Presented by BBFF, the Black & Brown Femme Film Festival returns for its highly anticipated annual celebration of women of color in film. This year’s festival invites audiences to experience bold, original storytelling from around the globe while building community through art, conversation, and collaboration.

Hosted at the Logan Center for the Arts in Chicago, BBFF 2025 will showcase 44 films across a variety of genres, including documentary, animation, horror, comedy, and drama. The selected works reflect a rich diversity of perspectives, creative voices, and cinematic visions that center the experiences of women of color on screen and behind the lens.

More than just a screening event, BBFF 2025 is a space for education, celebration, and connection.

Festival Features:

Panel discussions with filmmakers and industry professionals on topics like independent producing, self-distribution, and community-centered storytelling.
Networking opportunities with fellow attendees, artists, curators, and community organizers.

To ensure inclusivity, BBFF offers a range of ticket options: All-Access Passes, Day Passes, and individual screening block tickets. EBT card holders receive discounted tickets at the door with proof of eligibility.

Explore the 2025 Films

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BBFF 2025 PROGRAM SChedule

FRIDAY FILMS LINEUP

BLOCK 1: INTERNATIONAL SHORTS
Friday, July 25 – 4:15 PM to 6:30 PM
Behind the Veil – Stories from Our Middle Eastern Sisters & European Vignette
A collection of global stories centering migration, family, and identity.

Stray Flower (14:49, Drama) – Hivanand discovers hope—and heartbreaking betrayal.
Director: Nandini Natasja
Polio and Prejudice (9:55, Documentary) – A health worker defies danger to vaccinate Pakistan’s children.
Director: Mahnoor Naveed
The Doll (5:00, Drama) – A young Malala faces a life-changing choice in Afghanistan.
Director: Mehdi Khaksar and Bahar Ramezani
My Silent Shadow (18:54, Drama) – In war’s chaos, a woman uncovers deadly secrets.
Director: Ali Hayvi
Son (17:00, Drama) – A mother’s search reveals her son’s hidden truth in Kurdistan.
Director: Saman Hosseinpour
Oblivion (2:00, Thriller) – A haunting dream blurs time, trauma, and reality’s edge.
Director: Amir Mehdi Tayourlian
Syncopation (18:48, Drama) – Ayla redefines beauty while modeling for a famed artist.
Director: Yasmine Benecour
Swedish Death (12:23, Drama) – Minimalist art uses cherished belongings to survive a brutal winter storm.
Director: Kristina Yee

BLOCK 2: Emerging Voices + Stories of Resistance
Friday, July 25 – 6:30 PM to 8:10 PM

Resilient femme narratives confronting identity, music, and family across the diaspora.

All Your Yesterdays (15:00, Drama) – A husband reveals painful truths to his wife of 40 years.
Director: Dini Parayitam
Thoughts That Come to Mind… (17:00, Drama) – Black diaspora youth perspectives on womanhood and migration.
Director: Keyna D. Robinson
Take Flight (5:00, Drama) – Honors Black ancestors, resilience, and the spiritual journey to freedom.
Director: Danielle Elisa
Weavers (9:59, Documentary) – Three Dali Dong women preserve ancestral weaving.
Director: Jennifer Emma Uribe
F**k Fame (14:21, Documentary) – Feminist rappers resist violence through music.
Director: Saray Argumedo
Better with Milk (15:00, Drama) – In 1947 Brighton, Parvati’s new neighbor revives memories.
Director: Ashika Srinivassan

BLOCK 3: BBFF @Night
Friday, July 25 – 8:10 PM to 9:45 PM
Mature Audience

Skin Deep 7:30 (Drama) – On a hot Florida day, 19-year-old Violeta begins a journey of sexual awakening.
Director: Ashika Srinivassan
Rope Bottom (6:00, Drama) – Indigenous queer femme uses rope play as a powerful healing tool.
Director: Polaris Castillo
Everyone is a Principle (16:00, Drama) – Trans teen Luna finds self-acceptance.
Director: Polaris Castillo
IYKYK (17:54, Drama) – Kusum’s dates unravel around her gender identity.
Director: Bonita Rajpurohit
Leave (20:00, Drama) – A woman experiences her last night of freedom before her husband leaves jail.
Director: Mariana Jaspe

Panel discussion follows with intimacy coordinator Cecilia Kwayke.

Saturday FILMS LINEUP

BLOCK 4: Proud Roots. Loud Voices + Laugh, Blink, Repeat
Saturday, July 26 – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Home-Land: Hmong American Women (9:51, Documentary) – Hmong women share identity journeys.
Director: Pader Xiong
Maracatu Liberta (17:26, Documentary) – Black families find strength in traditions and Maracatu rhythms.
Directors: Rita da C. G. Gonçalves & Dirceu Lustosa
E Lei No Au I Ko Aloha (9:51, Documentary) – Lei queen shares traditions, ancestry, and land respect.
Director: Andrea Long
Fairy Rice Motherburdy (Comedy) – Gets magical help cooking her abuela’s rice.
Director: Joelle Velez
420 Ways to Die (13:13, Comedy) – Edibles go rogue in twisted revenge.
Director: Samara Huckvale
Hurry Up & Wait (6:37, Comedy) – Rushed woman’s morning unravels in chaotic, comedic disaster.
Director: Miguel Corrado

Panel: “Distribution: The Good, The Bad, and The Reel” with Couquie Hughes & Marissa Lichwick.

BLOCK 5: The Self We Choose
Saturday, July 26 – 3:50 PM to 5:35 PM

Tina. Will You Marry Me? (8:27, Documentary) – Tina finds freedom in unconventional Nigerian-Canadian paths.
Director: Celestina Aleobua
Mother’s Day (10:18, Drama) – Ashleigh juggles love, parenthood, and self-discovery.
Director: Entice Zain
All Dolled Up (13:38, Dramedy) – Five girls find strength through self-acceptance.
Director: Youth Media
The Girl Who Wanted to Fly (20:17, Drama) – Lila escapes into fantasy, dreaming of her future.
Director: Tais Amorimovido
Jjigae (19:12, Drama) – Afro-Korean woman faces trauma after sister’s sudden visit.
Director: Jinra Miles
Nya Does Nothing (Comedy) – Overworked Chicagoan takes extreme measures to do nothing.
Directors: Erisah Apathan & Jenny Casas

Filmmakers Q&A follows.

BLOCK 6: LGBTQIA+ Voices
Saturday, July 26 – 5:35 PM to 6:45 PM

A Catholic Schoolgirl (Drama) – Top student Kaya must confess love before goodbye.
Director: Myra Angeline Soriaso
Lolo (15:00, Drama) – Lolo farms and finds freedom with an old friend.
Director: Ana Gabriela Gutierrez Salgado
We Are Who We Are (16:00, Drama) – In Sierra Leone, best friends marry to rebel.
Director: Priscilla Kounou Hoveyda
Self-Portrait (6:35, Documentary) – Queer Korean-American adoptee uses art to reclaim identity.
Director: Sage Tran
Gutom (10:42, Drama) – Ice scare reunites a Filipino mother and daughter.
Director: Yana Peña Durado

BLOCK 7: BLACK AND BROWN FEMMES IN HORROR & ANIMATION
Saturday, July 26 – 6:45 PM to 8:30 PM

Horror Shorts:

Blood Relations (13:08, Horror) – Zia seeks closure. But the haunted house has other plans.
Director: Apoorva Choudhary
Eye Candy (5:17, Horror) – A cam girl’s virtual séance takes a dark turn.
Director: Allie Morgan
The Hollow of Three Hill (12:06, Horror) – A woman asks a witch about those she’s wronged.
Director: Deboruga Menon

Animation Shorts:

Am I Still Me? (4:49, Animation) – An acid attack survivor’s path to self-acceptance.
Director: Ozira Hawari
Anatomy of a Waterlily (3:22, Animation) – Samsara must choose: family or her dreams.
Directors: Karishma Nair & Jolivene Soupe Lunde
Red Moon (4:21, Animation) – Two girls groove up dancing through life.
Director: Lia Santos
Maalum (7:53, Animation) – A young Black Brazilian girl finds pride in her name.
Director: Luisa Copetti
Bornfree (2:07, Animation) – A child’s view of life in Gaza.
Director: Shinika Patel

Filmmaker Q&A and John Legend Tickets Winner announced

Join Us

Whether you’re a filmmaker, student, film lover, or someone seeking stories that resonate, BBFF 2025 is your space. Celebrate the talent and creativity of Black and Brown women in film through groundbreaking premieres, intimate discussions, and vibrant artistic exchange.

For the full lineup, trailers, and artist spotlights, visit:

BBFF 2025: Black & Brown Femme Film Festival