[THE CULTURE RECAP] HBCU FIRST LOOK FILM FESTIVAL 2025

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🎤 THE CULTURE RECAP |  HBCU First Look Film Festival

   Where the next generation of Storytellers took center stage

Following an unforgettable night at the Salute THEM Awards at the iconic Howard Theatre, the energy shifted to the campus of Howard University as the 3rd Annual HBCU First LOOK Film Festival officially took over the weekend.

More than just a film festival, HBCU First LOOK created a powerful space where culture, creativity, education and opportunity all collided. Founded by Howard alumna Sheila Eldridge through her award-winning Miles Ahead Entertainment imprint, the festival continues building a direct pipeline between HBCU talent and the entertainment industry.

And this year?  The mission leveled up in a major way.

🌟 CULTURE. LEGACY. IMPACT.

One of the biggest announcements of the weekend came as TUBI revealed its partnership with HBCU First LOOK to launch a dedicated HBCU First LOOK channel — Creating a new platform to amplify emerging Black storytellers and student filmmakers on a national scale.

Another standout moment came as Actress, Producer & Entrepreneur Marsai Martin was officially named Creative Ambassador for the festival.  Her conversation moderated by Loren LoRosa gave students real insight into navigating Hollywood, ownership and creating opportunities at a young age.

This wasn’t performative inspiration — It was access in real time.

🎬 PANELS, MASTERCLASSES & INDUSTRY GEMS

Across three days, the festival delivered a packed lineup of conversations, screenings and career-building experiences designed to prepare the next generation for success in film, television, streaming and digital media.

Highlights included:

*Opening Plenary: Elevating Future StorytellersConversation with Marsai Martin (Black-ish) | Moderated by Loren Lorosa (The Breakfast Club)

*Acting Masterclass with Lauren E. Banks (Howard alum, Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts)

*My HBCU Joy Awards Hosted by Loni Love (Comedian)

*’A Thin Line Between Love & Success’ featuring Lynn Whitfield (A Thin Line Between Love & Hate) and Keith D. Robinson (Dream Girls) Moderated by Cori Murray (Ebony)

*Evening Screening: Above The Tide + Conversation with Julian Gooden (ESPN)

*’The MegaMind Effect’ fireside chat with powerhouse Producer Tressa Azarel Smallwood with Felicia Pride (Bel-Air)

*Global Impact in Film & Digital featuring Academy Award Winning Filmmaker Kevin Wilson Jr. | Dasan Frazier (Actor|Content Creator) | Oronde Garrett (Talent Manager) | Benin Mtume (TUBI Acquisitions)

*Foxhole Fireside Chat w/ Filmmaker Datari Turner (Foxhole) Moderated by Phil Thornton (Producer)

*’The Wood: Black Men in Hollywood’ with LaRoyce Hawkins (Chicago PD) | J. Alphonse Nicholson (P-Valley) & Leslie Small (Director)

*’Hollywood Shuffle: Independent Filmmaking & Finance’ spotlighting the realities of producing independently with Kelley Kali | Imani Robinson | Shaye Ogbonna (Showrunner)

*’Boomerang: AI & Animation for Filmmakers,’ exploring the future of storytelling through technology featuring Brooke Hart Jones (Creator) | Lewis T. Powell | B. Monet

*’Hidden Figures: Women in Power Behind the Scenes,’ celebrating Black women shaping the industry beyond the camera with Lauren Banks | Tracy ‘Twinkie’ Byrd (Casting Director) Moderated by Ronda Racha Penrice

Students also engaged in internship sign-ups, networking opportunities, casting activations and studio recruitment experiences — Including Paramount’s “Beyond the Lights: Elevation Lounge.”

🔥 CULTURE MOMENTS THAT HIT

*TUBI announcing the launch of the HBCU First LOOK channel

*Marsai Martin stepping into her role as Creative Ambassador

*Students connecting directly with executives, producers and industry insiders

*Powerful conversations centered on ownership, independent filmmaking and representation

*Paramount’s activation giving students real-world access to opportunities

*The festival intentionally centering HBCU excellence in every room

*Witnessing the future of storytelling receives gems from individuals that look up to and see on screen now which gives them the motivation and inspiration to know they too can also achieve that level of success and beyond

*The film festival was held at ‘The Mecca’ Howard University and welcomed HBCU students from abroad who all left with life changing information that will carry them to the next level of filmmaking

🎙️ THE CULTURE SPIEL TAKE

HBCU First LOOK isn’t waiting for Hollywood to “discover” Black talent — It’s building its own ecosystem.

What made this festival stand out wasn’t just the celebrity presence or industry names. It was the intentionality behind every panel, every activation and every conversation.  Students weren’t just being inspired — They were being equipped.

From AI and animation to independent film financing and studio recruitment, the festival tackled where the entertainment industry is headed while ensuring HBCU students are positioned at the center of that future.

That’s how you create sustainability in the culture and we appreciate Sheila Eldridge for the opportunity and vision.

📲 FINAL WORD

The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival proved that the next era of Filmmakers, Producers, Actors, Executives and Creatives is already in motion — & HBCUs remain a driving force behind that excellence.

This wasn’t just a festival.It was a blueprint for the future of Black storytelling.

As the world continues to erase our history & stories — It is refreshing to know that the upcoming generation is so passionate about continuing the mission of storytelling.

HBCU First Look Film Festival is essential to the preservation of our culture and we are excited to see what’s next.

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