Tomorrow's Truth-Tellers - Student Film Competition & Talkback

See social justice through the eyes of a new generation. Seven remarkable social justice films take audiences inside stories and issues they may never have encountered—and offer unexpected perspectives on issues they thought they knew.

The program features six extraordinary short films, each under 30 minutes, selected from a highly competitive field of nearly 100 submissions from student and emerging filmmakers nationwide. These six emerging filmmakers rose to the top for their powerful storytelling, fresh perspectives, and distinctive approaches to social justice. In addition, we will air the first-ever winner of the newly established Howard University Filmmaker Competition.

SESSION COMPONENTS

• Opening remarks by OCTFME Director and DC Film Commissioner LaToya Foster
• Screening of the finalist films
• A talkback hosted by Emmy-winning producer Opal Hope Bennett
• A joint reception bringing together student and emerging filmmakers, attending jury members, and the broader community to celebrate this year’s finalists

MEET THE JURY

The student competition films were adjudicated by a distinguished jury bringing deep expertise in filmmaking, civil rights, documentary storytelling, and film education:

• Anurima Bhargava, civil rights advocate and filmmaker
• Louis Massiah, acclaimed filmmaker and founder of Scribe Video Center
• Srikanth Nandigama, award-winning cinematographer and educator

SEE WHO WINS

Come watch the films, then join us Saturday evening to see the winners announced during New Orleans’ National Impact: Three Families Behind a Movement.

Register here to be there when the next generation of civil rights storytellers is recognized.

Five Awards will be presented:

• Best Documentary Short – Student Filmmaker
• Best Documentary Short – Emerging Filmmaker
• Best Narrative Short – Student Filmmaker
• Best Narrative – Emerging Filmmaker
• Social Impact Grand Prize.

The Grand Prize identifies the film with the greatest potential to support organizing efforts that spark meaningful engagement and action on a social justice issue. The awardee will receive technical assistance from March On! to develop a social impact campaign.

PARTNER

Ronald W. Walters Leadership & Public Policy Center, Howard University’s Office of External Affairs, and the Department of Media, Journalism & Film