The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series, founded in 1997 by African Voices magazine and Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus, is the first Brooklyn-based festival dedicated to supporting films produced, directed, and written by women of color. The festival spotlights a diverse range of cinematic works, including narratives, documentaries, animations, and web series, with particular attention to stories by women of African, Caribbean, Latino, Asian, Indian, and Native American descent.
Since its inception, Reel Sisters has screened over 5,200 films, growing from a two-day event into a month-long celebration that includes lectures, workshops, and curated events throughout the year. In 2018, the festival made history by becoming the first Academy Award-qualifying festival for narrative shorts dedicated exclusively to women of color.
Reel Sisters is supported by major cultural organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Brooklyn Council on the Arts, and continues to empower women filmmakers and amplify their voices through its platform.
Reel Sisters celebrates trailblazers and pioneers in film and media:
The festival nurtures emerging filmmakers through initiatives like the Micro Budget Fellowship program, which has premiered works such as:
Reel Sisters has awarded over $70,000 in fellowships and cash awards, directly supporting the advancement of women of color in the film industry.
Reel Sisters has premiered significant works, including:
In 2021, Spelman College acquired the archives of African Voices Communications, Inc., ensuring the festival’s rich history will be preserved for future generations.
Through its dedication to championing diverse voices and fostering innovative storytelling, the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival remains a vital platform for celebrating and empowering women of color in cinema.
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