The Innovative Arts Conservatory Foundation is proud to host the Fade 2 Black Film Festival, a platform designed to celebrate and elevate filmmakers, with a special focus on the African American experience. The festival highlights the creativity, diversity, and unique stories that emerge from the African American community and other marginalized groups, fostering a deeper understanding of their cultures, histories, and perspectives through the art of cinema. By amplifying a wide range of voices and narratives, the festival seeks to inspire dialogue, challenge stereotypes, and honor the rich contributions of African American filmmakers and underrepresented creators to the cinematic world. Through this initiative, the Innovative Arts Conservatory Foundation aims to cultivate a more inclusive and vibrant arts community, empowering diverse voices and creating a lasting impact on the cultural landscape.

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Fade to Black:  Film Festival - Entry Process &



Timeline

Timeline

The Fade 2 Black: Film Festival is proud to offer filmmakers a platform to showcase their work, with a focus on highlighting the African American experience and other underrepresented voices in the film industry. Below is the entry process and timeline for the 2025 festival.

January 2025: Call for Entries

• January 6, 2025: Official call for entries begins. Filmmakers can submit their films application submission below. Full details on submission categories, entry fees, and guidelines will be available on the festival website.

February 2025: Early Bird Submission Deadline

• February 28, 2025: Early bird submission deadline. Filmmakers who submit by this date will receive a discounted entry fee.

April 2025: Regular Submission Deadline

• April 15, 2025: Regular submission deadline. Standard entry fees apply for submissions received by this date.

April 2025: Screening & Selection Process

• April 20-30, 2025: A panel of industry professionals, filmmakers, and critics will review all submissions and select the films to be showcased at the festival.

May 2025: Late Submission Deadline

• May 10, 2025: Final deadline for late submissions. Films submitted after the regular deadline will incur an increased entry fee.

May 2025: Notification & Announcement

• May 1-5, 2025: Filmmakers whose films are selected will be notified via email.
• May 8, 2025: Official public announcement of selected films. The full festival lineup will be published on the festival website and shared via press releases.

June 2025: Pre-Festival Preparation

• June 1-10, 2025: Filmmakers will submit high-quality screening copies, press kits, and any additional promotional materials for the festival. Final logistical details, including screening times and locations, will be confirmed during this period.

June 2025: Festival Presentation

• June 20-21, 2025: The festival will take place over three days, featuring screenings, panel discussions, workshops, networking opportunities, and an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding films and performances.

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​​Submission Guidelines & Categories

The Fade to Black Film Festival aims to celebrate and elevate African American filmmakers as well as filmmakers from other underrepresented communities.

Film Categories:

• Narrative Features
• Documentaries
• Short Films
• Student Films (must be from filmmakers currently enrolled in 6-12, college, or university)
• Animation
• ​Music Videos

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Film Format: All films must be submitted in high-quality digital formats (e.g., .MP4, .MOV).

Language: Films must be in English or include English subtitles.

Submission Fees:

• Early Bird: $50
• Regular: $70
• Late Submission: $90

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Submission Process: Filmmakers can submit their films via the festival’s official submission platform (e.g., FilmFreeway or Withoutabox). Filmmakers will need to provide relevant details, including a film synopsis, director bio, and promotional materials.

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