The Gary International Black Film Festival (GIBFF) celebrated 11 years of excellence in Black filmmaking with parties, panels, films, filmmakers and engaged discussion. This year the festival operated as a hybrid model with both in-person and virtual events.

The Festival Closing Night featured a presentation of the Kelechukwu Brnfre Vanguard Award for exemplary cultural work to Gary’s own McKenya Dilworth and the GIBFF Impact Award for catalytic civic engagement to Joslyn RW Kelly and to Markael Watkins.

The Festival is proud to announce the recipients of 10 awards of excellence in independent filmmaking, which will be featured during our 11th Anniversary Awards Watch Weekend, launching Thanksgiving Day, November 25 through November 28, 2021.