The Ottawa Black Film Festival Returns March 20–24, 2026
The Ottawa Black Film Festival Returns March 20–24, 2026
The Ottawa Black Film Festival (#OBFF26) returns for its sixth edition, both in person and online, featuring 40 films from around the world. Created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, the festival celebrates Black creativity and provides a platform for both emerging and established voices.
The opening night, Friday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m., will feature L’été de Jahia by Olivier Meys, a moving drama about friendship and resilience set in a Belgian asylum center. Among the highlighted films are The Fisherman from Ghana, a magical comedy that won an award at the Venice Film Festival, and the documentary Of Mud and Blood, which follows the lives of coltan miners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The festival also includes the online program Spotlight on Canadian Cinema, showcasing eight feature films exploring Black experiences in Canada, as well as the Being Black in Canada program, which supports young Black filmmakers in the creation of documentary short films.
Panels, workshops and the OBFF Black Market will also allow creators to share their knowledge and discuss the social and cultural issues affecting the Black community.
“The Ottawa Black Film Festival will take place from March 20th to 24th 2026 at La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins. Preceded by a cocktail hour and red carpet, the opening night of the festival will start with a movie called L’été de Jahia by Olivier Meys, a story about friendship, solidarity and overcoming hardships. Then, discussion panels will start off the second day of the festival, exploring young talent in the Black community. The panel will also suggest how to be a successful and well equipped movie director. During the afternoon and evening of the 21st, there will be a regular showing of movies, notably Of Mud and Blood and The Fisherman. The community is encouraged to attend the event in person. Movies will also be available to view on the festival’s website.”
Tickets and festival passes are now available at OttawaBlackFilm.com.
