You Need to Head North for the 2026 Denton Black Film Festival This Week

If you are looking for a spark of creative magic and inspiration this winter in North Texas, set your sights on the Denton Black Film Festival (DBFF).

Returning with a profound sense of purpose, the festival runs in-person from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1, followed by a virtual encore from Feb. 1 to Feb. 8. DBFF has blossomed into a nationally recognized cultural force, a vibrant collection of Black cinema, music, spoken word and art that demands your attention.

More Than Just Movies

To call DBFF merely a “film festival” feels like a disservice; it is a gathering of the creative diaspora. While the marquee lights shine brightest on the films, the festival is a multi-disciplinary celebration. This year’s program brims with spoken word showcases like the Poetry Get Down Slam, a gathering of poetic voices that promise to stir the soul.

Panels and workshops abound as well, from the industry-insider conversation titled “Filmmaking Beyond the Green Screen,” to practical sessions like “The Creative Pivot: Finding Your Place (and Paycheck) in the Industry,” all providing insight from seasoned professionals.

For those captivated by technology’s role, sessions like “AI, Creativity & Ownership in the Digital Age” will discuss newer approaches to the arts. While the use of AI in creative fields often stirs debate — raising questions about authenticity and the displacement of human creativity — this panel aims to make a case for its use as a tool to enhance, not replace, the human imagination.

Must-See Programming with Local Roots

While the schedule is packed with international gems, the festival shines brightest when it digs into its own backyard. Several selections this year have deep ties to Dallas-Fort Worth soil, transforming local history into cinematic legacy.

Quakertown, USA

For those drawn to stories that shape the region’s identity, Quakertown, USA anchors opening night with a profound exploration of community, resilience and the true price of so-called “progress” in North Texas. This expansive documentary delves into the nearly forgotten saga of Quakertown, which was a prosperous Black neighborhood that flourished in Denton during the early 1900s, only to be systematically uprooted by local policies disguised as progress. What unfolds on screen isn’t a tale of sudden catastrophe, but the slow displacement of families and the loss of a thriving community, whose contributions to local culture and economy were quietly swept aside.

The screening is made even more informative with a post-show Q&A featuring co-directors King Hollis and Lindell Singleton. Audiences will have the chance to hear firsthand about the creative process, the historical discoveries along the way, and why Quakertown’s legacy still reverberates throughout North Texas, making this both a lesson in history and a springboard for community dialogue.

Stories That Built Us

For those who want to see more of Dallas reflected on screen, this block of films is essential.

The program includes Life in North Dallas: Freedman Town, a short documentary centered on Katie Johnson Warren — a laundress turned respected clairvoyant— and delves into both her extraordinary personal story and the rich legacy of Freedman Town, once the largest African American enclave in Dallas. Through her journey, the film illuminates the resilience and achievements of a community built by Black pioneers following Emancipation.

This block also features The Hamilton Park Way, a feature-length documentary that traces the origins and enduring pride of Hamilton Park, a pioneering planned Black community in North Dallas. Drawing on voices from every generation, it weaves together the history, challenges and achievements of residents past and present, painting a portrait of communal strength and legacy.

The Inquisitor

Few voices in American politics have left such an indelible mark as Barbara Jordan, a woman who turned the improbable into the inevitable through sheer will and moral clarity. The Inquisitor offers an illuminating look at Jordan’s journey from the Fifth Ward of Houston to the hallowed halls of Congress. As the first Black state senator in Texas and the first Southern Black woman in the U.S. House of Representatives, Jordan challenged the boundaries of race and gender with relentless determination. The documentary traces her trailblazing career, culminating in her historic, riveting speeches during President Nixon’s impeachment hearings — moments that cemented her as a national conscience and earned her the nickname that gives the film its title.

Kandace Springs

The festival also understands that storytelling has a rhythm. Don’t miss the closing night concert featuring Kandace Springs. This celebrated pianist and vocalist — praised by her late mentor Prince as having “a voice that could melt snow” — takes the stage on Feb. 1 at the Margo Jones Performance Hall. With performances on national television, top billing at major jazz festivals and collaborations with icons like Norah Jones and Roy Hargrove, Springs brings a dynamic presence that makes for an ideal finale for the festival’s celebration of Black artistry and storytelling.

How to Attend

Tickets and passes are available now on DentonBFF.com (a great domain name, we’d add). Individual tickets range from $8 to $20, depending on the event. Panels are free community events, though reservations are required to secure your seat, and there’s an option to make a donation to support the festival. 

For those looking for a more immersive experience, special passes are available:

• VIP All Experience Pass: $297.99 (early bird) – Includes access to all in-person and virtual events, priority seating, and exclusive perks. 
• Film Only Experience Pass: $149.99 (early bird) – Grants access to all in-person and virtual film screenings.
• Virtual Only Experience Pass: $84.99 (early bird) – Covers all virtual screenings and events. 
• Five Block Film Pass: $46.99 (early bird) – Choose five individual film screening blocks.

Be sure to reserve your spot early, as some events may have limited seating or audience caps. Check out the schedule on Eventive for specific film times and venues in Denton, including the historic Campus Theatre and the Alamo Drafthouse.