Black Debutantes

Though their voices have historically been marginalized, innovative Black women filmmakers have long broken barriers to tell urgent, powerful, and perceptive stories on-screen. This celebration of pioneering Black women who made an impact with their very first—and in some cases only—feature film reveals a rich lineage of artists whose works open up into fascinating dialogue with one another. Exploring themes of revolutionary and anticolonialist struggle (Sarah Maldoror’s SAMBIZANGA, Sara Gómez’s ONE WAY OR ANOTHER), the experience of coming of age as a young Black woman (Cauleen Smith’s DRYLONGSO, Ayoka Chezira’s ALMA’S RAINBOW), and the meaning of heritage and history (Julie Dash’s DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST, Zeinabu irene Davis’s COMPENSATION), these uniquely insightful, formally imaginative works are each an act of courageous dedication and vision.

Programmed by Rógan Graham, who presented a version of Black Debutantes at London’s BFI Southbank in May 2025.