Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival

Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival DBWFF highlights Black, African American, and African Diaspora films, fostering collaboration
among black female filmmakers in Dayton and nearby areas.

We aim for a lasting space within the industry where we are consistently recognized and celebrated.

The countdown is officially over. ✨Join us for the Opening Night Patio Party of the 3rd Annual Dayton Black Women’s Film...
05/21/2026

The countdown is officially over. ✨

Join us for the Opening Night Patio Party of the 3rd Annual Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival this Thursday at 6:30 PM at The NEON. Come celebrate Black women in film, community, storytelling, music, conversation, and a weekend built FOR US BY US. 🎬

We’ll also have specialty handcrafted cocktails and mocktails available all night long while we gather, connect, and kick off an unforgettable weekend of cinema and celebration. 🍉🍸

We’ve poured so much love, passion, and intention into this festival, and there’s truly nothing else like it in Ohio. Before the films begin, come grab a drink, take photos, meet filmmakers, and celebrate the power of Black women creating space for ourselves through cinema.

📍The NEON
130 E 5th St, Dayton, OH
🗓 May 21–24, 2026
⏰ Patio Party starts at 6:30 PM
🎟 Tickets on sale now at neonmovies.com

Ciarah’s short film Internal Connections will screen as part of the Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival’s Hometown Heroes...
05/20/2026

Ciarah’s short film Internal Connections will screen as part of the Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival’s Hometown Heroes Shorts Program on Sunday, May 24 at 3 PM before the 30th anniversary screening of The Watermelon Woman. The program highlights emerging local filmmakers and celebrates the next generation of storytellers from Dayton and beyond. Tickets are on sale now at neonmovies.com.

Ciarah is a filmmaker from Dayton, Ohio whose work is shaped by a life spent moving from place to place, never quite having one consistent home to grow up in. Through that experience, she found comfort in storytelling and escapism, getting lost in films like Fantastic Mr. Fox and shows like Adventure Time. Those stories became a creative refuge and eventually inspired her own path into filmmaking.

She is currently a junior studying film at Wright State University, where she continues to develop her voice as a storyteller. Passionate, determined, and deeply connected to her community, Ciarah is focused on building a name for herself through filmmaking before graduation.

You don’t want to miss our Hometown Heroes Shorts Program at the Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival THIS SUNDAY AT 3:00 ...
05/19/2026

You don’t want to miss our Hometown Heroes Shorts Program at the Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival THIS SUNDAY AT 3:00 PM! Featuring a short from Cleveland native and Wright State University MoPix alum, Sav Rae Jackson.

Sav Rae Jackson is a visual and written storyteller with a deep passion for filmmaking, photography, and creative writing. As a screenwriter, filmmaker, and portrait artist, she is committed to telling artistic and authentic stories that reflect colorful communities through a multidisciplinary lens.

Through filmmaking, Sav creates work that naturally honors Black, q***r, and gender expansive experiences. Inspired by the nonlinear nature of coming of age, her work centers the impactful stories of ordinary people and the many seasons of growth we move through in life.

05/19/2026

The third Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival will spotlight Black women storytellers and film preservation May 21-24 at The NEON in downtown Dayton.

The Garden of Dreams Scholarship was created in honor of my grandmother, whose love for art, film, and education shaped ...
05/16/2026

The Garden of Dreams Scholarship was created in honor of my grandmother, whose love for art, film, and education shaped so much of who I am today. She’s the reason I became such a movie buff, always encouraging creativity, storytelling, and the importance of pouring back into others.

This scholarship is proudly sponsored by W.E. Lusain Funeral Home, owned and operated by her daughter, Miracle Oladele. Last year, we were honored to award $1,500 in scholarships to Brittany Gause, a Motion Picture Production student at Wright State University.

Every ticket purchased for the Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival goes directly back into supporting Black women in film and education. Thank you for helping us continue a legacy rooted in love, community, and opportunity.

ONE WEEK AWAY 🎬.The 3rd year of the Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival is officially one week away, and my heart is so f...
05/14/2026

ONE WEEK AWAY 🎬.

The 3rd year of the Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival is officially one week away, and my heart is so full.

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors, partners, and collaborators who continue to believe in this festival and the work we’re doing to uplift Black women in film. Some of our supporters, like , have been with us since the very beginning, and that kind of continued support means more than words can explain.

I’m also incredibly grateful for the new partnerships and collaborations we’ve built along the way. Every ticket shared, sponsorship given, repost made, and encouraging word has helped this festival grow into something bigger than I ever imagined.

Thank you for pouring into DBWFF and helping us create space for Black women filmmakers, storytellers, and community. It truly means the world to us. 💐

See you all next week 🗣️.

The countdown is REAL 🎬 The Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival is just 8 days away!Join us May 21–24 at The Neon for fou...
05/13/2026

The countdown is REAL 🎬 The Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival is just 8 days away!

Join us May 21–24 at The Neon for four days celebrating Black women in cinema with powerful short films from around the country, our Opening Night premiere of Basement People, a free workshop at the Dayton Metro Library, a special Barbara O. tribute with legendary filmmaker Zeinabu irene Davis, and our Closing Night 30th anniversary screening of The Watermelon Woman alongside our Hometown Heroes Shorts Program 💐

This year is bigger, bolder, and more intentional than ever. We cannot wait to celebrate with y’all.

🎟 Tickets on sale NOW — link in bio!

Barbara O. was more than an actress. She was a force. A groundbreaking artist whose work helped shape the legacy of the ...
05/09/2026

Barbara O. was more than an actress. She was a force. A groundbreaking artist whose work helped shape the legacy of the LA Rebellion movement, Barbara dedicated her career to telling honest, revolutionary stories about Black life, Black womanhood, and liberation through cinema. Born right here in Dayton, Ohio, her impact stretched far beyond this city, becoming a vital part of Black independent film history.

This year, the Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival is deeply honored to celebrate Barbara O. in a much-needed tribute surrounded by the love and support of her family, friends, and community. Joined by her brother Marlon and legendary filmmaker and friend Zeinabu irene Davis, we will gather to honor her incredible legacy with special screenings of two films she starred in.

Barbara O. opened doors, challenged systems, and created space for generations of Black women filmmakers and storytellers to dream bigger. We cannot wait to celebrate one of Dayton’s very own icons and make sure her name continues to live on through the power of cinema 💐🎬.

Saturday, May 23rd at 12 PM
Tickets are on sale now for $13.50.
Link in bio or purchase directly at neonmovies.com

🚨 ONLY 12 SEATS LEFT 🚨Our FREE Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival workshop at the Dayton Metro Library is almost full! 🎬...
05/08/2026

🚨 ONLY 12 SEATS LEFT 🚨

Our FREE Dayton Black Women’s Film Festival workshop at the Dayton Metro Library is almost full! 🎬✨

Join us Friday, May 22 from 4PM–7PM for an inspiring evening of conversation, filmmaking, history, and creativity with special guests Karen D. Brame, Danielle A. Scruggs, and Angelina Mitchell.

If you’ve been thinking about coming, this is your sign to reserve your spot NOW before registration closes 👀

📍Dayton Metro Library (West Branch)
🎟 FREE EVENT
🖤 Open to aspiring filmmakers, creatives, students, and community members

Register now before the final 12 seats are gone!

Address

130 E 5th St
Dayton, OH
45402-2420

Website

http://www.daytonbwff.org/

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