Black Harvest Film Festival Opening Night

About this event

November 6 | Black Harvest opens with four standout short films, presentation of the Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Prize, and a post-screening reception celebrating the filmmakers and the future of Black cinema.

EVENING HOSTS: EVROD CASSIMY AND LEANN TROTTER

2026, dir. Various USA, Switzerland, France, Senegal, 71 min.

In English, French, and Wolof with English subtitles | Format: Digital

$25 – Gene Siskel Film Center Members and SAIC students, staff, and faculty

$35 – Students

$40 – General Audiences

Celebrating its 32nd year in 2026, the Black Harvest Film Festival is Chicago’s annual showcase for Black film across the diaspora. Born from an urgent need to celebrate the Black experience, the Black Harvest Film Festival unites filmmakers and audiences to showcase the power of Black cinema. This annual festival highlights emerging and established talents and historical narratives, enriching the landscape of Black culture. The festival curates both short and feature length films, proudly presenting influential auteurs and emerging filmmakers of color side by side.

The film festival will be held at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center November 6–15, 2026.

Festival passes and individual tickets are available for purchase. Audiences additionally can choose from two Festival pass options:

Opening Night plus five screenings: $80 general public / $55 members

Six regular screenings: $60 general public / $36 members