Innovative three-day masterclass at Howard University immerses aspiring Black creatives in industry panels, film screenings and networking
For three days in November, Hollywood didn’t just visit Howard University — it set up shop. The 4th Annual HBCU First LOOK Film & TV Festival, running November 5–7, turned “The Yard” into a live classroom where students got more than lectures: they got face time with the people actually running the industry. With STARZ stepping in as the inaugural presenting sponsor, the event made good on its “How to Be the Next” theme by delivering a packed schedule of screenings, panels, and candid career conversations.
WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, November 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The festival kicked off with P-Valley stars Nicco Annan and Shannon Thornton, who shared firsthand insights into their craft and what it takes to sustain a television career. Rising actors Kennedi Reece and DaSan Frazier of Netflix’s “A Different World” offered a glimpse into the next chapter of that beloved series, which has already been renewed for a second season.
The lineup didn’t stop with actors. Grammy-winning producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis joined Tony Award winner Myles Frost for a conversation about the business of music. Actress and filmmaker Nicki Micheaux explored opportunities in the growing vertical drama market presented by TVOne.
Film screenings put storytelling at center stage, connecting audiences directly with the creative talent behind the work. The opening night ‘Friday Night Lights’ showcase featured award-winning “Rise of the Legion” and “93 ‘Til,” the latter produced by and starring LaRoyce Hawkins, formerly of “Chicago PD.” Both films highlighted independent filmmaking and the creative vision required to bring original stories to the screen.
A special “GOD WITH US” Clips & Conversation featured writer-director Jimmy Jenkins and actress Ashley Olivia Fisher in a discussion moderated by TV producer Jawn Murray ahead of the film’s November 13 theatrical release.
Beyond the screen, FRAMEWRK Vol. 001: BELLY celebrated the visual legacy of Hype Williams’ influential film through an immersive exhibition of contemporary art, music and installations. Closing night was a tribute to ANDSCAPE’s 10th anniversary, celebrating the fusion of Black culture and sports in storytelling.
The HBCU First LOOK Film 2026 Challenge attracted more than 450 submissions, showcasing emerging filmmakers whose work explored history, family and identity. Three winners received a combined $8,500 in awards.
Jada Davis of Florida A&M University claimed the $5,000 grand prize for Rooted in Resilience: Black Farmer Perspectives on Land, Loss, and Legacy, a documentary exploring Black landownership, generational loss and cultural heritage.
Mya Delgado of Howard University earned the $2,500 second-place award for Flowers, an intimate short film about a mother preparing her daughter for life after her death.
Christian Sutton of Coppin State University received the $1,000 third-place award for My Alter Ego, a film examining identity, trust and self-discovery.
HBCU First LOOK Film & TV Festival Co-Ambassadors Laya DeLeon Hayes and DaSan Frazier celebrated the Film Challenge winners and the Festival’s 2026 I Aspire 25 honorees during the Salute THEM Awards Luncheon, which recognizes accomplished HBCU alumni whose careers demonstrate what’s possible across the entertainment industry. CBS’s “Beyond the Gates” star and Howard alum Colby Nixon was on hand to receive her “Storytellers” award, along with producer and “Visionary” award winner Alexis Powell, architect of “The Spirit Tunnel” on “The Jennifer Hudson Show.” “Storyteller” honorees Jade & Jadah (Howard University) as well as broadcast journalist and “Changemaker” award recipient Jamila Mustafa (Delaware State University) were also in attendance.
The learning continued beyond the screening rooms. At the Fuel Your Future Career & Wellness Lounge, supported by STARZ, Black Girl Vitamins and aspireTV, students accessed professional headshots, video elevator pitches, career resources, networking and wellness programming.
“Talent is only part of the equation. Students need access, mentorship and opportunities to turn their potential into careers,” said Sheila Eldridge, founder of the HBCU First LOOK Film & TV Festival. “Thanks to our partners for sharing our vision of building a destination and career pipeline for storytellers rooted in HBCU culture.”
Partners include STARZ, ANDSCAPE, aspireTV, BGV, TV One, Storytellers Lab, Café Mocha Network, Howard University Radio, D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) and HBCUgo.tv.
Please find VIDEOS + PHOTOS HERE. For more information, visit www.hbcufirstlook.com.
Festival Contact:
Shelia Eldridge | sheila@milesaheadentertainment.com
Jalila Larsuel | jalila@jlmediapr.com
Tracy Anderson
HBCU First Look Festival
+1 646-372-9006
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Also worth a look: ADIFF opens with Whoopi Goldberg-narrated doc on pioneering Black TV journalist and PenMasters Global crowns Joe Battaglia’s Beneath The Rings as 2026 Book of the Year, opens 2027 contest.
Why it matters: The festival’s 450-plus submissions and $8,500 in prizes underscore a growing pipeline of Black storytellers emerging from HBCUs — a demographic the entertainment industry has historically overlooked. Events like this aren’t just networking opportunities; they are direct investments in closing the access gap that Sheila Eldridge identified, turning raw talent into sustainable careers.
