A Celebration of Black Films Rooted in the HBCU Culture!
The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival & Challenge is an innovative annual HBCU Initiative dedicated to building a pipeline to the entertainment industry for HBCU students and graduates who are creators and leaders in the film, television and broadcast industries.
Do you love creating dynamic and engaging visuals that tell a story? Have a strong foundation in visual communication, branding, typography, and digital design? We’re looking for YOU! If interested, please send your resume and portfolio for consideration to info@hbcufirstlook.com.
HBCU Students & Alumni Filmmakers this is for you!
The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival has opportunities for ALL! In 2025, we partnered with Filmhub and Tubi to bring your films to the big screen. Filmmakers who submitted their films to the film festival had the opportunity to distribute their films on TUBI!
If you are a filmmaker who attended an HBCU, but do not qualify for the HBCU First LOOK Film Challenge, you still have the opportunity to distribute your films, broaden you audience, and monetize your work!
** For submissions to be considered for the HBCU First LOOK Tubi Collection, films MUST have a runtime of 20 minutes or more **
Submissions are welcome on a rolling basis. To learn more about this opportunity, RSVP for our HBCU First LOOK x Tubi informational webinar happening on June 30th, 2026 from 6 PM – 7 PM EST. Click the link below to sign-up. Zoom link will be distributed upon registration.
Submissions for the 2026 HBCU First LOOK Film Festival are still open. Submit your film for a chance to gain industry exposure, fellowship opportunities, and cash prizes.
Film categories include:
- Feature
- Shorts
- Mobile
- Documentary
- Animation
- Family & Faith
- Health & Wellness
- Global Impact (International Films)
- Verticals **NEW**
Submissions close on August 28th, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Don’t miss out on your chance to Be the Next! For challenge details and submission information, click the link below!
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