Narrative Features (U.S. & International)
A competitive section for U.S. and international feature-length films directed by and/or both written and produced by persons of African descent. Films in this category are eligible to be nominated to compete for the following Jury Awards – Best Actor (presented by Ally Financial, $2500 cash prize), Best Director (presented by Cadillac, $5000 cash prize), and Best Narrative Feature (presented by Walmart, $2500 cash prize). The following films represent the 2024 official selections in the Narrative Features category:
Swoon
USA | 83 min | WORLD PREMIERE
A woman wakes tied to a bed, and her captor tries to manipulate her into believing they are a couple.
Director: Byron Manuel | Writer: Byron Manuel | Producer: Byron Manuel, Ryan Rojas, JP Ouellette, Cash Oliver, Franco Tavera, George Wrighster, Cameron Duncan, Lily Terrazas, Raul Terrazas, Kassandra Lee Diaz, Rich Morrow. | Cast: Kassandra Lee Diaz, DeRon Cash, Rich Morrow, Efrangeliz Medina, Dean Wil, Herbert Morales, Del Harrison.
Peripheral
USA | 88 min | WORLD PREMIERE
A woman’s husband goes missing soon after moving into their new home, but strange and paranormal events start to occur upon his return.
Director: Sulayman Tahir | Writer: Sulayman Tahir, Jordan Tortorello | Producer: Jordan Tortorello, Dallas Hart, Chris Tortorello | Cast: Andria B. Langston, Patrick Walker, Patricia Mizen, D’Kia Anderson, Sami Tortorello
He Looked Like A Postcard
USA | 97 min | WORLD PREMIERE
A poet balancing single motherhood returns to her hometown to rebuild her life and finds love and so much more after receiving a magical postcard under her door.
Director: Qasim Basir | Writer: jessica Care moore | Producer: jessica Care moore, Lasana Hotep, Gingi Rochelle | Cast: jessica Care moore, Tobias Truvillion, Jaden Anthony Moore, Nicci Gilbert, Donnell Rawlings, Omar Regan
The Final Play
USA | 108 min | USA PREMIERE
A retired pro basketball player seeks true love and a new beginning, but past traumas threaten his happiness.
Director: Tailiah Breon | Writer: Jeremy Pargo, Barshea Lowery | Producer: Jeremy Pargo, Valentina Barton, Tailiah Breon, Ernestine Morrison Johnson | Cast: Jeremy Pargo, Hazel Renee, Jerod Haynes, Navv Greene, Vanessa D. Fant, Brea Joy
Black Heat
USA | 93 min | WORLD PREMIERE
One night, two parents, out of options, infiltrate a top-level dealer and pimp’s apartment complex to rescue their teenage daughter.
Director: Wes Miller | Writer: Wes Miller | Producer: Andrew van den Houten, Wes Miller | Cast: Jason Mitchell, Tabatha “DreamDoll” Robinson, NLE Choppa
The Waterboyz
USA | 89 min | WORLD PREMIERE
In the streets of ATL, two young men cross paths, one trying to make a legit living, the other trying to create mayhem and rule the streets.
Director: Coke Daniels | Writer: Coke Daniels | Producer: Coke Daniels, Errol Sadler, Dolapo Erinkitola, Cameron S Mitchell, Brian Sher, Coach K, Pee Thomas, Ben Crump, Tirrell D Whitley. | Cast: Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony, Quavo Omar Dorsey, Rockmond Dunbar
Body of Water
USA | 103 min | USA PREMIERE
Sometimes you have to take justice into your own hands.
Director: Terrisha Kearse | Writer: Steve Fauquier, David Wendell Boykins, Terrisha Kearse, Mico Ramos | Producer: Tara Carbajal, Terrisha Kearse, Keita Don Azu, Seven Bailey, Amber Bolden | Cast: David Wendell Boykins, Dallas Schaefer, Kiya Roberts, Derek S. Orr, Kimberly Bailey
Freedom Hair
USA | 99 min
Based on the inspiring, true story of Melony Armstrong, a mother who works at a shelter for battered women decides to start a hair braiding business and must overcome obstacles imposed by a powerful cartel and the state of Mississippi.
Director: Dianne Houston | Writer: Dianne Houston | Producer: Stacey Parks, Lana Link, Rob Pfaltzgraff | Cast: Simona Brown, Jeremie Harris, Sophia Bush, and Erica Tazel
The Lost Holliday
USA | 96 min | WORLD PREMIERE
After losing her estranged son, Cassandra must deal with grief and guilt while getting to know her son’s daughter and husband, who she knew nothing about.
Director: Jussie Smollett | Writer: Jerrell Chesney & Jussie Smollett | Producer: Jussie Smollett, Mona Scott-Young, Tressa Smallwood, Tom Wilson, Joe “Jody” Williams, Janet Smollett, Eddie Mac, Stephanie Gayle, Jerrell Chesney, Anthony Smallwood, Sheila Legette and Vivica A. Fox | Cast: Vivica A. Fox, Jussie Smollett, Jabari Redd, Marquise Vilsón, Brittany S. Hall, Miriam A. Hyman, Londyn Carter, Memphis Cade, Gina Belafonte, Leslie D. Baker
Albany Road
USA | 135 min
On her way to the most important meeting of her career, severe weather forces a New York executive to share a rental car with her former nemesis, her ex-fiancé’s mother, only to discover that the mother is hiding a major secret.
Director: Christine Swanson | Writer: Christine Swanson | Producer: Michael Swanson | Cast: Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Lisa Arrindell, Gary Dourdan, Joe Holt, Rachel Nicks
Drip Like Coffee
USA | 86 min | WORLD PREMIERE
An unexpected romance evolves between two Brooklyn baristas, Kali, an aspiring coffee professional, and Mel, a budding photographer.
Director: Anaiis Cisco | Writer: Anaiis Cisco | Producer: Anaiis Cisco, Ryan Rivard, Mary Pena, Kathryn Boyd-Batstone | Cast: Iman Artwell Freeman, Kashanie Lagrotta Butler, Ralphy Lopez
Young King
USA | 94 min | WORLD PREMIERE
As Diondre Howell re-adjusts to civilian life and struggles to cope with the scars of the Iraq war, he increasingly becomes a threat to those he cares about the most – his family.
Director: Bryant T. Griffin | Writer: Bryant T. Griffin | Producer: Selena Leoni | Cast: Vince Washington, Tarra Riggs, Kirby Griffin, Vaughn Wilkinson, James Arthur Sims