Starz Teams With HBCU First LOOK Film Festival

The fourth annual festival, held at Howard University, showcases emerging Black filmmakers and HBCU alumni in film and television.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Urban

Starz Teams With HBCU First LOOK Film Festival

Premium network STARZ is partnering with the HBCU First LOOK Film Festival for its fourth annual edition, which kicked off Thursday, November 5, at Howard University and runs through Saturday, November 7. The festival, founded by Miles Ahead Entertainment CEO Sheila Eldridge, receives hundreds of submissions each year.

Why it matters

The partnership connects students with professionals in the film and television industry, giving young Black creatives a platform to showcase their work, gain exposure, and build industry connections. For Washington readers, the festival is taking place on the campus of Howard University.

The festival's fourth edition follows last year's partnership with Tubi, which featured more than 20 student films in an HBCU section. Students and recent graduates can compete for thousands of dollars in awards, though the total prize pool and individual amounts were not disclosed.

The players

STARZ

A premium entertainment network that is joining the festival to connect students with professionals in film and television.

Sheila Eldridge

CEO of Miles Ahead Entertainment and founder of the HBCU First LOOK Film Festival.

Howard University

A historically Black university in Washington, D.C., hosting the festival on its campus.

The details

Festival events include an opening plenary luncheon featuring P-Valley stars Nico Annan and Shannon Thornton, and a conversation on music and film with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Kennedi Reece and DaSan Frazier, part of Netflix's A Different World sequel, are expected to attend.

Last year: Festival partnered with Tubi, featuring more than 20 student films.
Thursday, November 5, 2026: Fourth annual festival kicks off at Howard University.
Saturday, November 7, 2026: Festival concludes at Howard University.

Big Picture

The STARZ partnership follows Tubi's sponsorship of the festival last year, when more than 20 student films were featured in an HBCU section. It extends a pattern of streaming services investing in HBCU-affiliated filmmakers as a pipeline for emerging talent.

Students and recent graduates can compete for awards at the festival, which runs November 5 through 7 at Howard University. Festival programming, including the opening plenary and panels, is open to attendees during those dates.

The takeaway

Streaming partnerships with HBCU film festivals offer a direct route for emerging Black filmmakers to reach industry professionals and potential distribution.