36 Films. Countless Conversations.
Five days of film, conversation and community featuring 36 films, special guests, filmmaker conversations, industry programming and events across the Atlanta University Center
The Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival (MCHRFF) returns September 22–26, 2026, for its eighth season, bringing filmmakers, industry professionals, students and audiences together for five days of powerful storytelling, meaningful conversation and community.
This year’s festival features 36 films from filmmakers around the world, along with panel discussions, filmmaker conversations, special screenings and industry-focused programming exploring justice, identity, history, race, culture, community and the human experience.
The Festival Experience Begins September 21
Before the festival officially opens, Morehouse College will welcome Netflix to campus on Monday, September 21, for an exclusive first-look screeningof A Different World, the highly anticipated new series inspired by the groundbreaking television series.
In attendance will be the series creator, showrunner, writer, and executive producer Felicia Pride, executive producer and director Debbie Allen, and executive producers Tom Werner, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Mandy Summers, along with legacy cast members Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Darryl M. Bell and Cree Summer, along with next-generation cast members Maleah Joi Moon, Alijah Kai, Cornell Young IV, Jordan Aaron Hall, Kennedi Reece, Chibuikem Uche, and more.
The special event at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel will feature a red carpet and advance screening, setting the stage for MCHRFF’s five days of programming beginning Tuesday.
Opening Day: Students, Storytelling and the Creative Forum
MCHRFF officially opens on Tuesday, September 22, with the annual High School Student Day, introducing area students to storytelling, media and human rights through specially curated programming.
Writer and creator Kimarley Henry will join students for a special presentation of episodes from his series, Chad Against the World, followed by a conversation about storytelling and the creative process.
Tuesday will also feature the MCHRFF Creative Forum, connecting emerging creatives with professionals working across film, television and entertainment. Programming will explore developing, pitching and packaging projects, navigating the entertainment industry and building sustainable creative careers.
Opening Night with Christalyn Hampton
The festival’s evening programming kicks off with Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Christalyn Hampton, producer of the documentary short The Devil Is Busy, who will deliver the 8th Annual MCHRFF keynote address.
Hampton’s appearance is presented with support from longtime festival partner Learning for Justice.
Opening Night will also spotlight the next generation of filmmakers with a screening of the festival’s nominated student films, followed by a filmmaker conversation.
Five Days of Films and Conversations
Throughout the week, audiences will experience narrative films, documentaries, shorts and student work from filmmakers around the world. Sixteen nominated films will compete across four categories:
Narrative Short • Documentary Short • Documentary Feature • Student Film
Programming continues on Wednesday, September 23, with a special fireside conversation featuring veteran television executive and producer Nina Lee, offering audiences an inside look at her career and experiences in the entertainment industry.
For the first time, MCHRFF will expand its programming to Spelman College on Friday, September 25, with a full day of screenings at the Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation & the Arts. The collaboration expands the festival’s footprint across the Atlanta University Center and creates even more opportunities for students and audiences to connect with filmmakers and their work.
Closing Night: MCHRFF Presents Indie Night
The festival concludes Saturday, September 26, as the Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival presents Indie Night alongside the Indie Night Film Festival.
Closing Night will feature Montmartre, starring Jesse Williams, bringing the eighth season to a close with a celebration of independent filmmaking and emerging voices.
“Eight seasons in, I’m incredibly proud of how the Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival continues to grow while remaining grounded in the purpose that inspired its creation,” said Kara Walker, Founder and Executive Director of the Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival. “Film has a unique ability to open our eyes to experiences beyond our own and spark meaningful conversations. My hope is that audiences leave the festival moved by what they’ve seen and inspired to continue those conversations long after the credits roll.”
The 8th Annual Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival is made possible through the support of community partners, local organizations and national advocates committed to advancing human rights through the arts.
This year’s sponsors include Listen Out Loud Media, Fulton County Arts & Culture, DeKalb Entertainment Commission, CineFi, and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
Save the dates: September 22–26, 2026.
The complete festival schedule, film lineup, ticket information and additional guest announcements will be available at morehousefilmfestival2026.eventive.org.