LOS ANGELES, CA -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) Youth Diversity Film Festival (YDFF) is one of the longest-running youth film festivals to focus on diversity. YDFF filmmakers share short narratives, animation, and docu-short films from various topics related to what youth are experiencing today. YDFF goes beyond the definition of a festival by providing guidance and life-changing experiences that go beyond filmmaking throughout the year. In 2024, with nearly 2,000 submissions from filmmakers hailing from more than 8 different countries, the YDFF continues to experience significant growth. Of the 2,000 submissions, 80 were selected for the festival and 27 will be screened live on March 23.

A core mission for BHERC is to recognize and support the development of the talents of our youth by providing and promoting this visual platform by amplifying both their voice and their vision. Originally brought to the community annually as a live event, the YDFF returns this year in hybrid format, both online streaming and live in-person.

For the in-person event:

For watching online:

Festival Schedule

Festival Director

Robert McCune, Special Projects Coordinator
BHERC.tv | A.E.O.M. Productions

Moderator

Ms. Sandra J. Evers-Manly is president and founder of the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC), former president of the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP in Los Angeles, California, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), and the cousin of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers. Ms. Evers-Manly continues to promote the cause of social and civil rights for all through film and philanthropic endeavors.

Youth Filmmakers and Films
 
Available for interviews. Student filmmakers are ages 11 through 18 and tackle the most difficult subjects facing the world today under the worst of conditions. Noteworthy is a submission from a student from Ukraine this year. Along with various films examining the impact and ravages of mental health disparity, social and economic justice, and more.

About the BHERC Youth Diversity Film Festival (YDFF)

The films selected are as diverse as the areas they hail from. The countries the young filmmakers represent include the United Sates, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece, India, Nigeria, Portugal, and Ukraine. They represent 20 states including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Washington D.C.

Some of the schools represented are Verdugo Hills High School, California; Fillmore High School, California; Washington Prep High School, California; East Los Angeles School for the Arts, California; Hamilton High School, California; Denver School for the Arts, Colorado; Mid-Pacific High School, Hawaii; Cornerstone Christian High School, California; and A Place Called Home, California. The 2024 film festival includes films in multiple genres including comedy, drama, animation, documentary, and social justice.

About the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC)

Founded in 1996 by Sandra Evers-Manly, the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center is a nonprofit, public benefit organization designed to advocate, educate, research, develop, and preserve the history and future of Black images in film and television. Through film festivals, award ceremonies, book signings, script readings, contests, scholarships, other programs, and special events, BHERC recognizes the contributions of Black men and women in front of and behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. For more information about BHERC, email bherc@bherc.org or call 310-284-3170.

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Media Contact

Robert McCune
+1 925-727-6231
bherc@bherc.org