The heart of the Black Creators Forum is a three-day symposium (online and in person) which includes speakers and workshops for Black artists led by notable Black filmmakers, scholars, industry professionals and critics. The goal is to share strategies, foster collaborations and build sustainable networks to ease the barrier to entry for Black visionaries in multiple disciplines who want to work in film. The Forum also supports year-round screenings, events, and grant opportunities for emerging Black filmmakers.

Learn more about this year’s symposium below!

2024 Black Creators Forum Symposium

Pass registration is now closed for the 2024 Black Creators Forum Symposium! We're excited to bring this year’s virtual Symposium on November 9th and 10th, along with an in-person kickback sponsored by Century House on November 15th, where creators can connect and network. Passholders will gain access to insightful panels, industry workshops, and opportunities to connect with other Black creators working in film.

Past BCF sessions have featured industry leaders like Barry Jenkins, Shaka King, and Maya Cade, offering invaluable insights on topics such as camera departments, writer's rooms, and music supervision.

Past Attendee Quotes

“It's been endlessly motivating and insightful! I've grown both in my art practice and my understanding of what I want from the work I do through each passing conference…”

“The BCF has really been transformative to my artistic practice and my social life. I never thought as a southerner, I could interact with other artists, especially Black artists so intimately.”

“I think every year, I leave very rejuvenated! My first year, I was a baby out of college, and I didn't know anything and the pandemic started, but that year I left feeling like all the hope in the world! And every year builds on it, it's nice to see where I am every year when I come back.”

FAQs - Need to Knows for the Forum

Pass registration for the 2024 Black Creators Forum Symposium is now closed. To participate in future Black Creators Forum Symposiums, you'll need to complete the registration form in advance to receive a pass and gain access to all sessions. Even if you've attended in the past, registration is required each year.
The Symposium will be hybrid! Panels and industry workshops will occur virtually on Zoom throughout the weekend of Nov. 9 and 10.
We’re excited to host a happy hour kickback in person on Friday, November 15.
The Black Creators Forum Symposium is completely FREE, but registration for 2024 is now closed. For those already registered, some sessions may also require additional sign-up through Zoom links. 2024 attendees will also receive a free pass (in-person and/or virtual) to the Indie Memphis Film Festival, running from November 14 to 19, 2024.
You are not required to be in Memphis for the virtual portion of the Forum Symposium – we welcome participants from around the country and the world! The in-person kickback is only open to those based in Memphis or visiting filmmakers/festival attendees. Please note: All virtual events will be in Central Standard Time.
We’re glad to return to the lovely Century House (151 Vance Ave) for this year’s in-person portion of the Symposium. Century House is accessible to enter from the ground floor but is in a part of downtown with limited parking, so we encourage attendees to plan accordingly to secure parking. Please reach out to BCF staff if you foresee any issues with attending the kickback.