ADIFF returns to Washington for 19th film festival

The African Diaspora International Film Festival is bringing award-winning films from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and North America to George Washington University in Washington, D.C., from Aug. 14-16. The lineup centers on human rights, democracy, colonial legacies and cultural identity, with special events tied to James Lawson, Audre Lorde and the streaming launch of The Last Meal.

Why it matters: - ADIFF’s Washington edition spotlights independent films that connect global Black experiences to current debates over justice, memory, migration and cultural identity. - The festival also gives Washington audiences access to films and discussions that are often framed around activism, historical legacy and underrepresented communities.

What happened: - The Harlem-based African Diaspora International Film Festival is returning to Washington, D.C., for its 19th edition from August 14-16, 2026. - The festival will be held at George Washington University Student Center, 800 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052. - The program features award-winning fiction and documentary films from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and North America. - The lineup includes films examining human rights, democracy, colonial legacies, cultural identity and contemporary social issues.

The details: - Opening night on Friday, August 14, features A Better Way: James Lawson, Architect of Nonviolence, a documentary about a strategist of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. - The festival includes Audre Lorde: A Litany for Survival, a portrait of the poet and activist whose work changed discussions of race, gender, sexuality and social justice. - A Life in Art: Through the Eye of Dr. Leslie King Hammond honors the art historian, curator, educator and artist, followed by a live conversation with Dr. Leslie King Hammond. - Sunday, August 16, closes with a benefit encore of A Better Way: James Lawson, Architect of Nonviolence, followed by a discussion moderated by Dr. Greg Carr of Howard University. - Fifty percent of ticket proceeds from the closing event will support filmmaker Karen Hayes in finishing archival footage licensing for the documentary. - ADIFF DC and KweliTV are partnering on a special presentation of The Last Meal, the award-winning Haitian-Canadian feature directed by Maryse Legagneur. - The Last Meal will screen as KweliTV Presents Movies & Mimosas and marks the film’s streaming launch on KweliTV. - The film follows an estranged father and daughter who reconnect through traditional Haitian dishes while confronting dictatorship, exile and family silence. - Contemporary Africa selections include The Shadow of Greed, Goundafa and The Song of the Riffles. - The Shadow of Greed is a Nigerian political thriller about corruption and Chinese investment in Africa. - Goundafa follows an Amazigh community in Morocco confronting growing religious intolerance. - The Song of the Riffles examines the human cost of armed conflict and child soldier recruitment in Burkina Faso. - Colonialism, Literature & History pairs A Radical Duet with On the Traces of “Cruel City” by Mongo Beti. - A Radical Duet imagines a meeting between Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Sylvia Wynter. - On the Traces of “Cruel City” by Mongo Beti revisits the work of the Cameroonian novelist. - Jamaican Tales: Stories of History, Music, and Resistance includes three short films about Jamaica’s history, environment and cultural traditions. - Outdoor School, representing U.S. independent cinema, is based on the true story of a 12-year-old boy experiencing homelessness while trying to keep a normal school life. - Outdoor School is rooted in Portland’s Black community and focuses on resilience, belonging and the role of nature and community.

Between the lines: - The programming points to a festival strategy built around linking film to public conversation, not just screenings. - The lineup also leans into cross-regional Black diaspora storytelling, tying African, Caribbean and U.S. experiences into one frame. - The benefit screening for James Lawson suggests ADIFF is also using the festival to help support documentary production.

What’s next: - Tickets, festival passes and the full schedule are available at festival tickets and schedule. - Festival information is available at ADIFF’s website. - The Washington, D.C., edition is presented in collaboration with the Africa World Now Project and Friends of Ukanwa Johnson, with media support from WPFW and special programming with KweliTV.

The bottom line: - ADIFF’s return to Washington pairs a broad diaspora film slate with live discussion, benefit programming and a platform push for The Last Meal.