The African Diaspora Cinema Festival (ADCF) is inviting Black filmmakers to submit films for the ninth edition of the event to be held at Villa Romana Cultural Institut in Florence, Italy, on September 3–6, 2025.
Since 2013, ADCF has become the international beacon for the African diaspora film and arts communities.
Annually, ADCF continues to receive hundreds of high-quality Black films from the US, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the South Pacific, Canada, and Asia.
The event hosts some of the most vibrant film directors, actors, musicians stylist and runways by fashion mentors. It also presents inspiring and informative panels and workshops featuring top industry professionals and showcases rare cinematic gems followed by filmmaker Q&A.
Rules & terms
Films must fit into one of the six categories: Feature Film, Short Film, Short Documentary, Feature Documentary, Music Documentary, African Contemporary Dance.
All films must be submitted in original language with English subtitles, films with subtitles in Italian are also accepted.
Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month prior to the festival. Films selected must be submitted in original MP4 files via any transfer to the ADCF email, files uploaded to the ADCF FilmFreeway platform for submissions will no longer be accepted for live screening during the festival.
Films selected must be available not later than August 30, 2025, for screening during the African Diaspora Cinema Festival. Films produced before 2021 will not be accepted to the festival.
Awards & prizes
- Best Feature Film
- Best Short Film
- Best Feature Documentary
- Best Short Documentary
- Best Music Documentary
- Best African Contemporary Dance
- ADCF Award
- Villa Romana Award
- Women of Courage Award
- Creative Award
- Role Model Award
Include a concise and complete press kit on submission.
Only films selected will be considered for competition. MP4 and press materials will not be returned under any circumstances. They will be destroyed after the final screenings at the film festival.
Dates & deadlines
- August 16, 2024 – Opening date
- August 31, 2024 –Earlybird deadline
- September 30, 2024 – September first deadline
- October 31, 2024 – October second deadline
- November 30, 2024 – November regular deadline
- December 31, 2024 – December late deadline
- January 31, 2025 January – Winter deadline
- March 31, 2025 – March late winter deadline
- April 30, 2025 – April official deadline
- May 31, 2025 – May official deadline
- June 30, 2025 – June late official deadline
- July 30, 2025 – Notification date
- September 3–6, 2025 – Event date
Learn more about submission rules, fees and application process here.
