7 Candle Film Festival

Name: 7 Candle Film Festival
Start: 2025-12-28T12:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-12-28T16:00:00-05:00
Location: Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library

Schedule

Sun Dec 28 2025 at 12:00 pm to 04:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library | Virginia Beach, VA

The Hampton Roads Greenbook® proudly announces the launch of the 7 Candle Film Festival, a groundbreaking new cultural event that will debut this December. Inspired by the seven candles of Kwanzaa—symbols of unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith—the festival shines a light on stories that honor Black diasporic and Indigenous cultures.
In its inaugural year, the 7 Candle Film Festival will feature films from local, national, and international filmmakers whose work amplifies voices too often underrepresented in mainstream media. The lineup will include narrative films, documentaries, and shorts that celebrate heritage, examine social issues, and highlight the resilience and creativity of communities of African and Indigenous descent.
The festival is not only about watching films—it’s about building community and circulating resources. Attendees will have opportunities to participate in filmmaker talkbacks, cultural workshops, and networking sessions designed to connect artists, entrepreneurs, and community members. Just as the Hampton Roads Greenbook® connects residents to local businesses and cultural assets, the 7 Candle Film Festival expands that mission into the world of cinema and storytelling.
This first year of the festival marks the beginning of a tradition that will grow into a cornerstone cultural event for Hampton Roads—one that educates, entertains, and empowers while staying rooted in the values of unity, cultural pride, and collective advancement.
The 7 Candle Film Festival: Illuminating stories, celebrating heritage, and building bridges across communities.
Awards & Prizes
Professionally designed plaques honoring winners.
Press & Media Spotlight – Feature winners will be celebrated in HRG’s newsletter, social media, and press releases.
Winning Film Showcase – HRG will be hosting a special encore screening of winning films at HRG events and HRG partner venues.
Rules & Terms
General Rules
Eligibility
Open to filmmakers of all backgrounds, but submissions must align with the festival’s theme: celebrating Black diasporic and/or Indigenous cultures.
Films can be narrative, documentary, experimental, or animated.
Submission Guidelines
Films must be submitted in a digital format (MP4 or MOV).
Submissions must include a short synopsis and filmmaker bio.
Each filmmaker may submit up to two films.
Length Requirements
Short Films: Up to 20 minutes.
Feature Films: 21–90 minutes.
Works outside these ranges may be considered for special categories.
Language
Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles.
Rights & Permissions
The filmmaker must own all rights to their film, including music, images, and archival footage.
By submitting, filmmakers grant the festival permission to screen their work during the event and use clips for promotional purposes.
Premiere Status (Optional for Year One)
Preference may be given to films making their Virginia premiere, but it is not required.
Content Standards
Films should avoid gratuitous violence, hate speech, or material that undermines the festival’s mission of cultural celebration and community empowerment.
Judging & Awards
Films will be reviewed by a panel of judges selected by the Hampton Roads Greenbook®.
Awards may include categories such as:
Best Musical Performance
Best Documentary
Audience Choice Award
Best Student Film
Winners will receive recognition at the closing ceremony and via the HRG ecosystem (newsletter, app, website, and social media).