Haiti International Film Festival opens 2027 submissions with new theme on resilient women

The Haiti International Film Festival is accepting entries for its 12th annual edition at Hollywood’s Barnsdall Gallery Theater, with a 2027 theme centered on Haitian women in cinema. The festival is also planning a Cap-Haïtien creative retreat in January as it expands its platform for Haitian and Pan-African storytellers.

Why it matters: - The Haiti International Film Festival is positioning its 2027 edition as a platform for Haitian and Pan-African filmmakers, with a focus on cultural memory, women’s stories and diaspora visibility. - The festival’s submission window gives filmmakers a clear path to compete for a spot in one of the few events centered on Haitian cinema. - The nonprofit is also extending its reach beyond screenings with a January creative retreat in northern Haiti, adding a development track for artists and projects.

What happened: - The Haiti International Film Festival is now accepting submissions for its 12th annual festival. - The 2027 festival is scheduled for Aug. 14, 2027, at Hollywood’s historic Barnsdall Gallery Theater. - The 2027 theme is “Fanm Djanm: The Art of Resilient Women in Haitian Cinema.” - The festival is timed to Dessalines Day and the anniversary of Bois Caiman, a key moment in the Haitian Revolution. - To submit, filmmakers can use the festival submission page.

The details: - Submission fees start at $30. - Categories include shorts, features and documentaries. - Early deadline: Dec. 14, 2026. - Regular deadline: Jan. 12, 2027. - Late deadline: May 31, 2027. - Selection notifications go out July 18, 2027. - The festival will again be hosted by Haitian American actor Béchir Sylvain. - The festival has previously honored guests including Marlene Daut, Tessa Munro, Rodney Charles, Jean Elie, Kelley Kali, Meta Golding and Jimmy Jean-Louis. - HIFF was founded in 2015 by documentarian, cultural curator and film professor Jacquil Constant. - Constant’s feature directorial debut, Haiti Is A Nation Of Artists, screened at Cannes Pavillion Afronova. - A trailer for the film is available here.

Between the lines: - The new theme builds on Constant’s upcoming documentary about female Haitian creatives. - The festival is framing Haitian women as historical actors and creative voices, not just subjects of suffering. - HIFF continues to cast itself as an antidote to Haitian culture erasure by elevating Haitian and Pan-African voices. - The January retreat in Cap-Haïtien suggests the organization wants to do more than showcase completed work; it is also trying to help develop the next wave of Haitian cinema.

What's next: - HIFF will host a creative retreat in Cap-Haïtien from Jan. 11-18, 2027. - The retreat will use screenings, workshops and project development to connect HIFF’s archive with northern Haiti’s history and contemporary creative life. - More details are available through the retreat page or by email at hiffretreat@haitiinternationalfilmfestival.org. - The festival will announce selections on July 18, 2027, ahead of the August event.

The bottom line: - HIFF is using its 12th edition to widen its spotlight on Haitian women, expand submissions and deepen support for creators across the diaspora.