BEST LONG DOCUMENTARY
NO KNOCK-NO CHARGE?
The Amir Locke Story
DIRECTED BY ANDREW TYLE
Referred to as the “Blueprint for justice”, this riveting gut-wrenching film exposes dual police departments, St. Paul and Minneapolis' unmistakable 'culture of coverup' and execution. This documentary features Dr. Eric Michael Dyson, Congresswoman IIhan Omar, Attorney Ben Crump, Roland Martin, Rev. Al Sharpton, Jeff Storms, Debra Watts (cousin of Emmet Till), Activist/Attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, Activist Marques Armstrong, and is Narrated by Attorney Cannon Lambert who represented Sandra Bland.
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
Are You A Librarian?
Black Librarians and Freedom
Through Literacy
DIRECTED BY RODNEY FREEMAN
Are You a Librarian? Uncovers the hidden legacy of Black librarians—from the era of slavery and segregation to today’s battles over book bans and intellectual freedom. Through powerful interviews, archival footage, and expert insights, the film tells the story of how Black librarians transformed underfunded, segregated spaces into vital cultural and educational hubs for their communities.
The villagers of Sayit are about to receive title deeds, marking the first time in centuries they will claim legal ownership of their land. While this is great news for many, 38-year-old Star faces the risk of losing her home. The title deeds are based on kinship ties, and since her parentage is unknown and she is unmarried, her situation is precarious. Things take a turn when Star discovers a photograph of her younger self in "The World Book of Nomads." In the picture, a mysterious hand with familiar tribal markings catches her attention, as she recognizes those marks as belonging to a local food seller.
When Addison Lee inherits her grandmother’s home in a rapidly gentrifying Washington, D.C. neighborhood, she must navigate family tensions, community expectations, and her own grief to decide whether to keep or sell the house. Set over the course of one afternoon and a family dinner, the film captures the humor, conflict, and deep love that define inheritance—not just of property, but of legacy, identity, and belonging.
BEST SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM
THE AMERICAN WAY:
Life, Liberty, and Being Pursued by the Mob
DIRECTED BY TIFFANY B. LEE
Tracing a legacy of racial violence against Black citizens, The American Way examines how citizenship in America has historically been defined through whiteness. At America's 250th Anniversary, The American Way asks audiences to consider how this legacy of violence and exclusion continues to shape who is allowed to be "American." The American Way has been chosen as a finalist in the East Village New York Film Fesitval and was selected for both the Mesa International Film Festival and the American Motion Pictures Festival.
The documentary, titled "GREAT: The Metropolitan Story", explores the rich legacy, historical significance, and cultural impact of Metropolitan Baptist Church. Through the voices of church members, clergy, and prominent guests, this documentary will celebrate the church’s gold standard of preaching, its vibrant and powerful music ministry, and its unwavering commitment to faith, service, and community leadership.
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They made Nashville their home despite the blatant, harsh realities of deep rooted racism and its cruel impact. Rather than take the easy way, they carved a path of lifetime activism. While recognizable leaders such as MLK, Diana Nash & John Lewis etc. were in the public eye, leaders like the Searcy’s were working diligently ‘behind’ the scenes and continue today well into their 70's. This is the story of a remarkable couple who ‘under the radar’ contributed to vast amounts of ‘change’ in Nashville and explores why we are better if we acknowledge and understand what they contributed.
Referred to as the “Blueprint for justice”, this riveting gut-wrenching film exposes dual police departments, St. Paul and Minneapolis' unmistakable 'culture of coverup' and execution. This documentary features Dr. Eric Michael Dyson, Congresswoman IIhan Omar, Attorney Ben Crump, Roland Martin, Rev. Al Sharpton, Jeff Storms, Debra Watts (cousin of Emmet Till), Activist/Attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, Activist Marques Armstrong, and is Narrated by Attorney Cannon Lambert who represented Sandra Bland.
DR. PARK doesn't just treat patients — she transforms them. The Great Adventures at Park Clinic is an animated children's health edutainment series where every two-minute vertical episode turns a scary medical moment into a joyful adventure. For children who rarely see themselves celebrated in healthcare spaces, DR. PARK is the doctor they've always needed.
Benjamin, after losing his wife of fifty years, post her transition, finds himself a grieving patriarch. His grandson, in an effort to help him cope with his grief, suggests he try going on a dating app. This unleashes a series of comedic misfires and emotional spirals that provides him a journey of self-realization.
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
SISTERS IN DESTINY
Angela Davis & Derty Archimède
DIRECTED BY PASCAL FREDERIC ARCHIMEDE, DIMITRY ZANDRONIS
Two women. Two continents. One shared fight.
From Guadeloupe to the United States, Sisters in Destiny explores the intertwined journeys of Gerty Archimède, a trailblazer of feminism and anti-colonial struggle, and Angela Davis, a global symbol of civil rights and resistance.
Award Winning Film- Serene and the Magic Seeds is a magical, heartfelt journey inspired by true events. When a young girl learns that her beloved grandmother, Frances, has been diagnosed with cancer, her world shifts in an instant. Searching for hope, Serene discovers the teachings of the legendary Dr. Sebi — and in a vivid, dreamlike vision, she is shown a path toward healing, courage, and purpose.
What began as an undercover assignment during the COVID lockdown became the love of his life. But when a police officer reconnects with the woman he fell for, a dangerous figure from his past threatens to destroy their future.
Dog or Die is a visceral, emotionally charged short film told through powerful narration, stylized montage, and fragmented cinematic moments. The film traces the psychological and historical weight carried by a young Black man named Ethan — from the brutality of the slave ship to the unrelenting pressures of modern America.