HBCU Film Festival Returns to Howard With 'Different World' Cast

The HBCU First Look Film and TV Festival is set to return to Howard University in Washington, D.C., for its fourth annual run this year. The three-day event takes place from Nov. 5 to Nov. 7 and focuses on connecting aspiring actors, writers, and filmmakers with established industry figures. This year's theme is 'How To Be The Next,' aiming to help creative professionals break into Hollywood.

Starz serves as a major sponsor for the upcoming festival. The network will send stars Nico Annan and Shannon Thornton from the show P-Valley to discuss the series. Their third and final season is scheduled to drop on the platform on Dec. 3. The cast will join a lineup that includes iconic producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. They will also be joined by Tony Award winner Myles Frost from MJ The Musical.

Alumni from Howard University and cast members of the classic sitcom A Different World will participate in panels. Kennedi Reece, Jade Johnson, and Jadah Clay are all set to appear during the event. These appearances are part of a broader programming schedule that includes master classes and screenings designed to support Black storytelling.

One HBCU student will receive a substantial award during the festival. The winner of the HBCU First Look Challenge will be announced at an awards luncheon. The contest drew more than 450 applicants from various institutions. The selected student will take home an $8,500 prize along with an internship opportunity to help launch their career.

Jada Evans, a graduate student at Florida A&M University, is a finalist for Best Feature Film. Her project is titled Rooted in Resilience: Black Farmer Perspectives on Land, Loss, and Legacy. Evans told Cassiuslife.com that being named a finalist affirmed her belief in social advocacy within film. She noted that the platform allows social workers to demonstrate how their training helps them confront disparities through storytelling.

The luncheon will also honor several HBCU alumni, including Eva Marcille, Michael Strahan, and Tone Bell. Panels at the festival cover specific industry topics. One session, titled 'Do the Right Thing,' will address the legal side of the business. Another panel, 'Hidden Figures,' will focus on women working behind the scenes in production.

Additional programming includes a master class with actress and filmmaker Nikki Micheaux. Director Rotimi will screen clips from his new film God with Us, which opens in theaters on Nov. 13. Bentley Kyle Evans will introduce New State of Mind, a series focused on HBCUs that is headed to AspireTV. The festival concludes on Saturday with a panel and gala celebrating the 10th anniversary of Andscape, ESPN's platform for Black sports stories.