The Oscar Devereaux Micheaux BFAB Festival celebrates Black film, art, and books in the heart of Paducah, Kentucky — a UNESCO Creative City with deep roots in African American cultural history.

Co-produced by the Paducah Historical Preservation Group, Inc. (PHPG) and the Kentucky BIPOCU Filmmakers Association, this festival honors the legacy of Oscar Devereaux Micheaux, the pioneering Black filmmaker born near Paducah.

Our festival is intentional. It was created to enhance cultural exchange through the arts in Paducah, Kentucky — a UNESCO Creative City known for the National Quilt Museum, the Lowertown artist community, and the Hotel Metropolitan & Museum, which was listed in the Green Book and hosted some of the greatest musicians of modern times.

We welcome submissions of short films, anime, documentaries, and feature films with historical, educational, scientific, cultural, and social awareness themes. The festival will include a screening of Micheaux’s historic work, along with authors and artists showcasing and selling their works.

Awards & Prizes

A Best Film award will be presented in each category:

• Shorts
• Anime
• Documentaries
• Feature Film

Awards are determined based on audience votes.