The fourth annual Black Film Festival returns to Madison, Wisconsin, November 19 through 22, 2026, bringing together Black cinema, community conversation, nostalgic favorites, and new voices. Presented by the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development and Justified Anger: Courses, the festival celebrates Black joy, resilience, art, education, and culture across three Madison locations.

Siobhan Jackson joined Fusion on 93.1 JAMZ to discuss the festival, its growing community impact, and why creating space for Black storytelling matters. What began as an opportunity for volunteer engagement has grown into a community staple, with screenings that invite audiences to laugh, reflect, and discover something new.

Black Joy and Black Storytelling Take Center Stage

This year’s Madison Black Film Festival brings familiar movies together with independent films, short films, and video essays from Black creators. The lineup makes room for holiday comedy, sports drama, Black horror, and conversations about representation and the Black experience.

For Jackson, holding part of the festival at The Center for Black Excellence and Culture represents an exciting next chapter. After watching the space take shape, bringing the festival through its doors feels especially meaningful.

The festival welcomes people to participate while keeping Black voices and experiences at its center. Jackson encouraged attendees to embrace a space where Black joy can be expressed freely. Come ready to listen, learn, enjoy the films, and respect the community the festival celebrates.

Opening Night Features Alabama Brawl and Support for Nehemiah

The festival begins Thursday, November 19, with Seeing Transformation: Opening Ceremony & Fundraising Eventat The Center for Black Excellence and Culture, 671 W. Badger Road.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for cocktail hour, followed by Alabama Brawl: A Documentary & Talkback at 6:15 p.m. Live music and bar service begin at 7:30 p.m.

In the interview, Jackson described the Montgomery boat brawl as a significant cultural moment for Black Americans, making the documentary a fitting starting point for discussion.

Opening night also launches fundraising leading toward Nehemiah’s 35th anniversary in 2027, supporting the continuation of its community work. This evening requires separate registration from the free festival screenings.

Free Film Screenings Across Madison

Friday, November 20, brings the festival to OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, 2701 International Lane, Suite 101. Screenings include Hedda at 12:30 p.m., Kokomo City at 2:30 p.m., and Black Burns Fast at 4 p.m. Jackson highlighted the importance of making space for the intersections of Black and queer experiences.

Saturday, November 21, screenings move to Madison Public Library’s Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin Street. The schedule includes How Fox News Melts Your Brain | Part Two at 9:30 a.m., Remember the Titans at 10:45 a.m., Sinners & the Death of Black Art at 12:45 p.m., and Roll Bounce at 2:30 p.m. Discussion sessions accompany the two video essays.

Sunday, November 22, the festival returns to The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Highlights include Black Boyhood is Hell at 11 a.m., Almost Christmas at 12:30 p.m., Black Media Breakdown: When They’re EVIL but Black at 2:30 p.m., and Makin’ Cake at 3:45 p.m.

The closing reception begins at 5 p.m., with free food courtesy of House of Flavas. A short film session starts at 6 p.m., followed by a Black filmmaker panel at 7 p.m. featuring Dasha Kelly of Makin’ Cake and Naomi Re’a of Sherman Park. This Christmas closes the evening at 8 p.m.

Discover New Black Creators

Alongside the familiar titles, Jackson is especially excited about The Village, a comedy series she described as bringing a Parks and Recreation style of humor to Chicago’s South Side.

The festival also spotlights Sherman Park, a Black horror short film discussed during the interview as working toward becoming a feature. These selections give audiences an opportunity to discover emerging work and hear from the people helping bring those stories to the screen.

Check the organizers’ latest information for individual short film and pilot screening details.

Register for the Madison Black Film Festival

The November 20 through 22 film screenings are free, with registration available for individual screenings. The November 19 opening ceremony and fundraiser requires separate registration.

Visit nehemiah.org for festival information and registration links, or explore Justified Anger: Courses to learn more about the educational work that helped inspire the festival.

Whether you come for Roll Bounce, a holiday favorite, or a filmmaker you are discovering for the first time, the Black Film Festival offers Madison a chance to experience Black storytelling together.