It was an absolute honor to host 20 outstanding HBCU filmmakers in Detroit for the 2025 HBCU Film Invitational!
Let's Dance!
A HUGE congratulations to the Orchesis Dance Company of Grambling State University, recipients of the HBCU Film Invitational 2025 Legacy Award! 🏆
Their powerful work in 'Strange Fruit', made HBCU Film Invitational history as the first cinedance submission to not only earn finalist recognition, but to ultimately claim the top prize. This groundbreaking achievement is a testament to their artistry, storytelling, and excellence.
Remarks from the 2025 Legacy Award Recipient, the Orchesis Dance Company:
"We are incredibly proud and deeply grateful to Autumn Sun and the HBCU Film Invitational for celebrating the talent, creativity, and dedication of our students in the Orchesis Dance Company. It is truly an honor to have our work recognized
We also hope this inspires dance teams across the entire HBCU community to pick up a camera, embrace film, and share the brilliance that lives within their programs.
Thank you once again for shining a light on the excellence of Grambling State University and for creating a space that uplifts and celebrates HBCUs. We encourage everyone to continue to support this powerful initiative, and we can’t wait to see the HBCU Film Invitational continue to grow and thrive!"
We celebrate the Orchesis Dance Company for raising the bar, honoring legacy through movement, and continuing to redefine what is possible at the intersection of dance and film. Bravo on this historic win!
We also extend our congratulations to the entire 2025 Invitational Honoree Class and our top four runner-ups for their outstanding work and creative excellence:
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1st Runner-Up: Parables of the Sower — Elisabeth Walton (Howard University)
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2nd Runner-Up: Riley’s Hill — Kiara Mangum (Howard University)
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3rd Runner-Up: a girl in Paris — Ysabella Lope (Spelman College)
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4th Runner-Up: Rinse Cycle — Zachary Ramseur (Hampton University)
Each of these filmmakers brought powerful storytelling, vision, and artistry to the Invitational. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the continued excellence across the HBCU creative community.
Special Thanks
First, we proudly recognize the contributions of the PepsiCo Foundation, DTE Energy, Bedrock, Walker-Miller Energy Services, and the Xi Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. as our 2025 Executive Sponsors. Without your unwavering support, this moment would not have been possible.
We extend our sincere thanks to our Academic Partners — Central State University, Morgan State University, Lincoln University, and Morris Brown College — for supporting our mission to create meaningful artistic pathways for students.
We are also deeply grateful to Detroit leaders — Deputy Mayor Melia Howard, District 5 County Commissioner Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, and District 2 Councilmember Angela Whitfield Calloway — for celebrating with us and honoring the occasion with inspiring remarks.
And thank you to our Developing Partners — Detroit Public Schools Community District, NAACP Detroit Branch, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit HBCU Network, 313 Presents, and the Office of City Council President Mary Sheffield. Your guidance and collaboration were instrumental in making this program a success.
Just the Beginning
Planning is already underway for the next HBCU Film Invitational. Submission details will be available to students at the start of the spring semester, with additional information about the upcoming festival to be announced next fall.
Happy Holidays from the Autumn Sun family — we’ll see you soon!
