33rd Annual African Diaspora International Film Festival Starts This Saturday – Caribbean Life

The 33rd Annual African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) is set to light up the screens of New York City from Saturday, November 29 to December 14, 2025. With over 70 films hailing from more than 30 countries, this festival is not just a cinematic event but a celebration of cultures, stories, and experiences.

Founded in 1993, ADIFF quickly carved out a niche for itself by expanding traditional cinematic perspectives. The festival showcases socially relevant, award-winning films made by and about people of color, bringing together narratives from diverse locations such as Peru, Zimbabwe, and Jamaica. By blending groundbreaking new voices with classic films, ADIFF’s mission fosters dialogue around critical issues facing the African Diaspora.

This year’s festival will take place at key venues across New York, including Teachers College at Columbia University, Cinema Village, and The Lenfest Center for the Arts. Attendees can look forward to engaging directly with filmmakers and gaining insights into the creative and cultural inspirations behind select films.

For those unable to attend in person, ADIFF will host a Mini Virtual Festival, offering 20 films that can be streamed nationwide across the United States and Canada. This initiative ensures that the stories presented can resonate beyond geographical confines, reaching a wider audience.

Kicking off the festival is an exciting VIP Reception followed by the New York Premiere of “The Dutchman,” a modern psychological thriller based on Amiri Baraka’s 1964 play. This event marks the commencement of ADIFF’s Opening Night Film and promises an engaging post-screening Q&A with director Andre Gaines and Rolling Out journalist Derrell Johnson.

As the festival draws to a close, the VIP reception will accompany the New York Premiere of “Fanon,” delivering a powerful biographical drama about Martiniquan psychiatrist Frantz Fanon during his crucial years in 1950s Algeria. Following the screening, Director Jean-Claude Barney will participate in a Q&A, offering audiences a chance to delve deeper into the film’s poignant themes.

The festival will spotlight a unique narrative surrounding the African Diaspora in India through the NY Premiere of “Rhythm of Dammam.” This powerful drama emits a resonant message about the Siddi community, utilizing family rituals and traditional Dammam music to explore intergenerational trauma.

In a special spotlight event, trailblazing director Leslie Harris will discuss her groundbreaking role in the film industry, particularly after a screening of her landmark 1992 film “Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.” This conversation promises to be enlightening and a testament to Harris’s influence as one of the first Black women to write, direct, and produce a theatrically released feature film.

Gala Screenings offer an exciting lineup, including “Sugar Island,” a compelling portrayal of identity and struggle from the Dominican Republic, and the US Premiere of Moroccan thriller “The Ants.” Each selection highlights the power of storytelling and their cultural significance.

Another compelling section of the festival, “Silenced Voices: Cinema and Censorship,” revisits critical films that were once banned or suppressed for challenging societal norms. Featured titles include “Within Our Gates” (1920) by Oscar Michaux, which was censored for its raw portrayal of racial violence, and “Uptight” (1968) by Jules Dassin, known for its sympathetic depiction of Black militants. This year, a panel discussion on Censorship and Cinema, featuring legal scholar Tanya Katerí Hernández, will take place on December 12, inviting critical discussions around the intersection of film and freedom of expression.

Filmmakers from across the globe will have their voices heard, with seven New York premieres from FESPACO, acclaimed for being one of Africa’s most significant film festivals. This inclusion not only enriches the festival but also brings global narratives to local audiences.

The featured films this year promise gripping stories, such as the moral thriller “Diya, the Price of Blood” from Chad, recognized at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and the Afro-Brazilian historical epic “Malês: The Revolt,” which sheds light on resistance during the 1835 uprising in Salvador.

In a commitment to accessibility, seniors around New York City will have the chance to attend a free community screening of “Who in the Hell is Regina Jones” on December 3 at Teachers College, Columbia University. This initiative aims to expand cultural accessibility and ensure that cinematic experiences are available to audiences of all ages.