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Black Public Media hosts several events annually. We also partner with a variety of organizations on professional development training and public screenings. Check out our upcoming events below.
CURRENT PROGRAMMING
PBS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
NINTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL
FILM FESTIVAL
JULY 13-25
Black Public Media is one of nearly 20 organizations around the country that have submitted independent short films for inclusion in this annual online festival. This year's event features 25 films and several watch parties. The films are grouped into five categories: Family, Race, Environment, Culture, and Humanity. The films will be available across Facebook, YouTube and the PBS Video App. So whether watching through a mobile device, on your television or computer, you’ll have plenty of ways to access the films. Viewers are encouraged to vote for their favorite film. Awards will be announced at the conclusion of the festival. All screenings are available for free.
'BLACK FAMILIES THROUGH QUEER EYES'
CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF VINTAGE: FAMILIES OF VALUE
WATCH PARTY
July 21-23
Black Public Media is teaming up with BPM 40th Anniversary Media Game Changer Thomas Allen Harris, Third World Newsreel, Family Pictures USA, and others 
to present “Black Families Through Queer Eyes,” a virtual screening and panel discussion.
Harris' debut film, VINTAGE: Families of Value will stream for free from noon July 21 to noon July 23. On July 22 at 6p.m., EDT, there will be a virtual panel discussion with the filmmaker, artist/Sundance New Frontier programmer Shari Frilot, and MoMA Chief Curator of Film Rajendra Roy. The panel will place VINTAGE within the broader contexts of 1990's Black queer experimental filmmaking and current activism.
Participation in the screening and the panel discussion is free, but registration is required.
PAST EVENTS
BLACK MEDIA STORY SUMMIT
BIENNIAL NATIONAL CONVENING
VIRTUAL SUMMIT
JUNE 23-25
Biennially, BPM convenes a National Black Media Story Summit. Representatives from media networks, talent agents, content creators, and content distributors convene at these gatherings to discuss the state of Black stories across commercial media, XR, and public television. The Covid-19 crisis has forced us to re-design the 2020 Summit so that the conversation continues even though we anticipate most participants will still be sheltering in place.
The redesigned 2020 Story Summit is now a three-day virtual convening that includes an opening Town Hall (see below), a series of concurrent virtual panel discussions on the topic of distribution, and a Pride Month a clip and conversation salute to the work of documentary trailblazer Marlon Riggs. We'll close the summit with a celebration of our 40th Anniversary Game Changers at a virtual Dance Party.
40TH ANNIVERSARY HOUSE PARTY
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF MEDIA GAME CHANGING
VIRTUAL
PARTY
JUNE 25
Black Public Media will host an online house party in an experimental party venue you won't want to miss. Come visit with old friends, make new connections, and find out what BPM has in mind for the future of Black storytelling, all while bouncing to the beats of our virtual DJ. We've even got a special BPM 40th DIY menu from Celebrity Chef Ricky Moore of PBS' The Hook for you to whip up at home to enjoy while you socialize.
