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One of Boston’s most important celebrations of global Black and Brown cinema is returning this summer with more than 100 films, filmmaker conversations and community events.
The 28th annual Roxbury International Film Festival—better known as RoxFilm—will run June 18–26 in person, followed by a virtual edition, RoxFilm@Home, from June 26–July 2.
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As New England’s largest film festival dedicated to showcasing filmmakers of color from around the world, RoxFilm has long served as both a launchpad for emerging artists and a vital cultural gathering space in Boston. This year’s lineup continues that mission with narrative features, documentaries, animated shorts, student films and experimental works screening at venues including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Hibernian Hall, Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Just Book-ish.
The festival opens June 18 with Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story, director Dan Egan’s documentary about pioneering Black soccer star Clyde Best, who will attend the opening-night screening and Q&A at the MFA.
Closing night shifts gears toward romance with Montmartre, writer-director Leon Hendrix III’s Paris-set drama exploring Black love and history in France. The film stars Ito Aghayere and Jesse Williams and screens June 26 at the MFA.
Returning programs include the free “Senior Lunch” event at Hibernian Hall, featuring the documentary Pursuing Light: The Bill Strickland Story alongside local author Irene Smalls and award-winning short films. The popular “Daily Script Read” series is also back, giving audiences the chance to hear works-in-progress by RoxFilm alumni performed live by Boston actors.
“We are living at a time when stories about people of color are being erased—and that is intentional. However, independent filmmakers are ensuring these stories are told in full, nuanced, and complex ways that reflect the richness of communities of color,” Lisa Simmons, artistic and executive director of The Roxbury International Film Festival, said in a statement. “RoxFilm is proud to uplift and share those voices, keeping our stories visible and challenging the narratives too often shaped by mainstream media.”
Other notable films include Free Joan Little, about the landmark 1975 legal case involving Joan Little; And Again I Dream, chronicling the life of journalist and organizer Ivy Young; and She Dared to Dream, a documentary about Massachusetts congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.
Festival passes are on sale now, with individual tickets available May 26. Full programming details can be found here.