Reel Black since 1974.
The Newark Black Film Festival (NBFF), founded in 1974, has grown from its roots as a visionary project into the longest-running Black film festival in the United States.
Its inception was inspired by a touring black film festival curated by Oliver Franklin at the Annenberg Center for Communication, Art & Sciences, which caught the attention of Gus Henningburg, the then Executive Director of the Greater Newark Urban Coalition. Seeing its potential, Henningburg proposed the idea to The Newark Museum of Art, which embraced and transformed it into what we celebrate today as the NBFF.
With the establishment of a Selection Committee comprised of volunteer members from key institutions within the community, the festival began to shape a platform that would not only showcase but also nurture the talents of Black filmmakers. This committee was instrumental in handpicking films that span a wide spectrum of the Black experience, from historical documentaries to avant-garde pieces, reflecting both past and present narratives.
Over the decades, the NBFF has been a beacon for over 850 films, drawing nearly 200,000 attendees to The Newark Museum of Art. It has premiered works from young, independent filmmakers such as Spike Lee and Ava DuVernay, and featured influential figures like James Earl Jones and Danny Glover. Each screening, typically followed by a Q&A session with filmmakers and scholars, fosters a rich dialogue and deepens the audience’s connection to the films.
As the NBFF moves forward, it carries with it the legacy of its founders, the visions of the filmmakers it champions, and the spirit of its diverse and engaged audience. It stands as a testament to the enduring power and necessity of Black cinema, committed to inspiring future generations and celebrating the rich tapestry of the Black experience through film.
850+
Films Screened200000
Attendees50
Years of Black Cinematic Excellence"The intimate discussion between the audience and filmmakers is a unique aspect of the NBFF. It adds a level of awareness that is missing when you go to a movie theatre and leave without knowing the impetus behind the production."
- PATRICIA FAISON
Founding NBFF Member
"The NBFF came into existence to fill the void left by movie theaters that were fleeing Newark and other inner cities throughout the United States. The real beneficiaries soon became the newly minted generation of young African American filmmakers who were graduating from film schools with films under their arms and looking for a place to screen them. And even today, if a filmmaker wants to put his or her film to a litmus test for authenticity, I say ‘screen it in Newark.’"
- WARRINGTON HUDLIN
President, Black Filmmaker Foundation
"When we introduced the festival, few black filmmakers were successful in bringing their projects to the screen and those that made it, didn’t stay long. The founders were sensitive to the need for creative expression and we did our best to make it happen. Challenges still exist but the quality of work and their artistic accomplishments on a global scale are changing the landscape.’’
- GLORIA CARTER BUCK
Founding NBFF Member