These are films and series to see!
The 23rd annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) took place earlier this month, celebrating Black filmmakers and storytellers at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center and Vineyard Lounge.
This year’s festival showcased powerful projects from some of today’s top Black filmmakers, Variety reports.
Here are some standout films and series featured to add to your watch list:
Seen & Heard
A two-part documentary tracing Black representation on TV, from early appearances to today’s wave of authentic storytelling. Directed by Giselle Bailey and Phil Bertelsen, with Issa Rae as executive producer.
FOREVER
FOREVER is a heartfelt Netflix teen drama series created by Mara Brock Akil, inspired by Judy Blume’s novel. It tells the story of first love between two Black high school students, Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr., as they navigate the pressures of their own and others’ expectations.
Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross (ROKU)
Award-winning actress and PATTERN Beauty founder Tracee Ellis Ross explores Morocco, Mexico, and Spain, sharing the joy and freedom of solo travel.
The Gilded Age (HBO Max)
Set in late 19th-century New York, this drama dives into the lives of wealthy families navigating social change, highlighting the resilience of Black communities building their own legacies.
The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health
Narrated by EGOT winner Viola Davis and directed by Emmai Alaquiva, The Ebony Canal is a powerful documentary exploring the link between Black maternal health and the persistent disparities in infant mortality rates, shining a light on this critical health issue in Black communities.
Sinners
Ryan Coogler’s 2025 horror film starring Michael B. Jordan as criminal twin brothers facing supernatural forces in 1932 Mississippi Delta.
Old Gray Mare
Produced by Tyler Perry Studios and directed by Courtney Glaudé, this film portrays the heartbreaking experience of watching a loved one slowly fade away.
Highest 2 Lowest
Directed by Spike Lee, Highest 2 Lowest is a 2025 crime thriller that reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s classic High and Low. The film features a star-studded cast including Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, and ASAP Rocky.
Cover photo: 8 Must-See Films and Series from Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival / Photo Credit: Amy Sussman, Getty Images