Celebrating Black Storytelling: The 18th Annual Day of Black Docs Returns to Los Angeles

Celebrating Black Storytelling: The 18th Annual Day of Black Docs Returns to Los Angeles

The power of documentary filmmaking to illuminate untold stories and explore complex narratives will take center stage this May as the Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West (BADWest) presents the 18th Annual Day of Black Docs. The two-day event, held at the American Film Institute's Mark Goodson Theater in Los Angeles, is a showcase dedicated to celebrating and elevating Black documentary filmmakers and the diverse stories they tell.

A Weekend of Insight, Dialogue, and Cinema

This year's festival unfolds over two days, offering an engaging blend of panel discussions, film screenings, and networking opportunities. The event kicks off on Friday, May 16, with an opening reception and a thought-provoking panel discussion titled

"Love/Resistance/Power." Esteemed filmmakers Karen Hayes (A Better Way: James Lawson, the Architect of Nonviolence), Laurens Grant (Black in Space: Breaking the Color Barrier), Jennifer MacArthur (Family Tree), and Adisa Septuri (Ifine (beauty)) will take part in a conversation moderated by award-winning producer and director Krystal Tingle. Attendees will also view selected clips from the panelists' works, followed by a reception.

A Day Packed with Documentary Excellence

On Saturday, May 17, the focus turns fully to the screen with an all-day lineup of impactful documentaries. The program includes both feature-length films and a short, showcasing a range of themes and stories:

• We Want the Funk by Stanley Nelson & Nicole London

• Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It by Paris Barclay (Los Angeles Festival Premiere)

• It Was All A Dream by dream hampton

• Shepherd’s Calling by Wubetu Shimelash

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Renowned film critic and producer Tim Cogshell will host the screenings, guiding audiences through the day’s thought-provoking cinematic offerings. Festivalgoers can also indulge in delicious bites from local Black-owned businesses, including Mama Aunties Vegan Goodies and Sybil’s Tacos.

Tickets and Access

Tickets are available exclusively online, with no walk-ins permitted. Options include:

• General Admission ($25) for all-day access

• Per Block ($18)

• Reserved Seating ($50) for those who prefer guaranteed premium seats

• Night & Day Combo ($40), which covers both the Friday panel and Saturday screenings

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Tickets must be secured by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, through the event’s official Eventbrite page.

A Space for Community and Culture

The Day of Black Docs is more than a film festival—it is a cultural gathering space for audiences to engage with Black stories, filmmakers, and the broader documentary film community. It offers a platform for both emerging and established creators to share their work while fostering meaningful conversations around representation, activism, and storytelling.

For more information and ticket purchases, visit the BADWest official Eventbrite page.

Celebrating Black Storytelling: The 18th Annual Day of Black Docs Returns to Los Angeles