Established in the spring of 2013, the Black Warrior Film Festival unites local and national filmmakers in a cultural experience designed for the entire community to enjoy. 

Student filmmakers from the University of Alabama, joined by students from several other universities across the South, entertain audiences every year at the festival. Additionally, featured professional filmmakers attend the Black Warrior Film Festival for screenings, lectures and workshops with the student filmmakers.

“One of our most popular guests was Ava DuVernay, the director of “Selma,” who came to Black Warrior in 2014,” Trent Carlson, executive director of Black Warrior Film Festival, said.

Carlson said students of all majors and passions are welcome to contribute to the annual Black Warrior Film Festival, and it provides students a great opportunity to organize and manage an entire professional film festival.

“While there are clear ways for film students, or for any student who is passionate about making films, to get involved, there are also aspects of the festival that serve as fantastic ways for a student of any major to get experience,” Carlson said.

The Black Warrior Film Festival has publicity, business and outreach teams available for students who are not directly interested in filmmaking.

“The mission of the Black Warrior Film Festival is to provide a cultural experience for student filmmakers and community members alike,” Carson said. “Black Warrior strives to offer student filmmakers across the South the opportunity to experience their films being screened at a film festival. Black Warrior presents a way for student filmmakers to be recognized for their work, as well as a way to interact with industry professionals and network with other filmmakers.”

Current members of Black Warrior Film Festival are very passionate about the organization’s mission and have enjoyed being involved for the past three years.

“We put a lot into this festival, and it is incredibly rewarding to see what we are able to provide student filmmakers throughout the South. Being a part of this organization offers you with incredible experience and does so in a somewhat nontraditional way, which I know our members appreciate,” Carlson said.

The fourth annual Black Warrior Film Festival is scheduled for February 26-27, 2016.

“We’re in the process of planning out the event and we are very excited about what’s to come,” Carlson said.

To get involved and to learn more about the Black Warrior Film Festival, visit http://www.blackwarriorfilmfest.com/ or email [email protected].