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The Roxbury International Film Festival takes place over ten days with workshops, panel discussions and film screenings taking place at the Museum of Fine Arts and other venues. The Roxbury International Film Festival is a competitive festival. It is a festival that celebrates people of color: You do not have to be of color to participate in the festival, but your work must include a multicultural cast, theme or production team. The goal is to screen films that show more diverse images of people around the world.
For years, filmmakers, distributors and film enthusiasts wondered why Boston, one of the largest metropolitan areas on the east coast, lacked a vehicle for supporting independent films by filmmakers of color or that showcased their experiences. This was the primary motivation behind the creation of the Roxbury International Film Festival (then, the Dudley Film Festival) in 1999. The other reason was a love of films. Audiences were hungry for films by and about people of color, and the festival organizers believed that there was an audience in Boston that was searching for these types of films.
They were right.
Now as they prepare for our 19th year, the Roxbury International Film Festival continues to showcase and honor the work of emerging and established filmmakers of color and has become the largest festival in New England dedicated to this genre. Since its inception, the festival has welcomed over 38,000 attendees, and we have screened more than 600 films by or about people of color. The festival mission is to support diverse filmmakers and provide an opportunity for audiences to view the works of these filmmakers, and experience stories often overlooked in mainstream media. This year, The Roxbury International Film Festival takes place over 10 days, with workshops and film screenings taking place at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Hibernian Hall, and the Haley House Bakery Cafe.
The Roxbury International Film Festival runs June 22-July 1. For more information, including a list of films, events, and other schedules, click HERE.
