Windsor prepares for Inaugural Black Film Festival

Hermes Fomutar

Windsor is gearing up to host its first-ever Black film festival next month, promising to celebrate and showcase achievements in Black filmmaking and storytelling.

Scheduled to take place at downtown’s Armouries Theatre from August 16 to 18, the Windsor International Black Film Festival (WIBFF) will feature a diverse lineup of approximately 15 films from around the globe. Participating countries include Canada, France, and the United States, among others.

Founded by Queen Eghujovbo, who serves as CEO, the WIBFF aims to provide a supportive platform for Black filmmakers to share their narratives without the pressures of competing against larger productions.

Eghujovbo, a former Calgary resident now residing in Windsor, was inspired to create the festival after watching a film that inaccurately portrayed South Africa. Her vision upon moving to Windsor was clear: establish a space where Black stories could be authentically told and projected.

From over 50 submissions received, the WIBFF will curate a selection of 10 to 15 films spanning various genres, including feature films, documentaries, and children’s films. This curated platform offers Black filmmakers an opportunity to amplify their voices and showcase their work in a meaningful way.

Hermes Fomutar, President of WIBFF, emphasized the festival’s broader mission to empower Black filmmakers to express themselves fully and promote narratives that highlight Black values, culture, experiences, and historical perspectives.

In collaboration with the Black Scholars Institute at the University of Windsor, the WIBFF aims to foster dialogue, understanding, and appreciation for Black filmmaking both locally and globally.

For those interested in attending, ticket information can be found on the festival’s official website.

The inaugural Windsor International Black Film Festival represents a significant milestone in the city’s cultural landscape, promising enriching experiences for film enthusiasts and a platform for underrepresented voices in cinema.