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.
Rules & Terms
- Eligible submitters include beginner filmmakers, college and university student filmmakers, published filmmakers, and independent filmmakers. Although not required for eligibility, preference is given to premiere-status films by Black and Brown filmmakers, including films directed by, produced by, or centered on Black and Brown creators or subjects.
- Preference may be given to Kentucky, U.S., and world premieres.
- BFAB reserves the right to disqualify a submission without refund of any kind if eligibility requirements are not met, including if eligibility status changes after submission.
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Film categories include:
- Short Narrative: 2–15 minutes
- Anime: 5–20 minutes
- Documentary: 10–60 minutes
- Feature Narrative: 45–80 minutes
- Films must have been completed within the past 24 months of the current festival season.
- This is a juried film festival.
- Accepted formats include DCP, preferred, or MP4.
- Subtitles are required for non-English language films.
- Submitters must own or have documented rights to all music, footage, and adapted scripts. Copyright infringement of any kind will result in disqualification, and the filmmaker will be liable.
- Entry fees are due at the time of submission in U.S. dollars and are non-refundable.
- Filmmakers are responsible for their own travel and accommodations.
- Student entry fees may be discounted with proof of a current and valid student ID or a letter from an accredited school verifying enrollment.
- A Best Film award will be presented in each category and determined by audience vote.
- Final submission deadlines and current-season details are listed on the official submission page.
