The African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) returns to the U.S. capital for its 18th annual Washington D.C. edition, taking place in person from Friday, August 1 to Sunday, August 3, 2025, at George Washington University’s University Student Center. Organized in partnership with the Africa World Now Project and the GWU Africana Studies Program, this year’s festival brings a dynamic lineup of 14 films from 14 countries, celebrating the richness of African and diaspora cinema.
The 2025 edition of ADIFF–D.C. offers a vibrant program centered on Black music, anti-colonial resistance, and women’s voices, featuring award-winning dramas, powerful documentaries, and timeless cinematic classics. These carefully selected works aim to amplify underrepresented perspectives and foster meaningful dialogue around themes of identity, history, and cultural heritage.
Kicking off the festival on Friday, August 1 at 12:00 PM is “Amal”, a drama from Belgium directed by Jawad Rhalib. The film tells the story of a Brussels teacher who challenges societal norms by encouraging her students’ freedom of expression. It is followed at 2:00 PM by the D.C. premiere of “Brides,” a Sundance 2025 selection directed by Nadia Fall. The poignant drama explores the lives of two Muslim teenagers in the UK who are targeted by extremist propaganda, shedding light on themes of belonging, racism, and radicalization.
At 4:00 PM, “Village Keeper,” the Canadian Screen Award-winning debut by Karen Chapman, takes the screen. This emotional narrative follows a grieving Black mother on her journey of healing, offering a touching tribute to the resilience of Black women. Later that evening at 6:00 PM, festival-goers will experience the D.C. premiere of the documentary “Legacy: The Decolonized History of South Africa.” Directed by Tara Moore, the film confronts the enduring legacies of apartheid through the lens of the grandson of its architect, offering a powerful and personal reckoning with South Africa’s ongoing inequalities. A Q&A session will follow the screening.
On Saturday, August 2 at 10:00 AM, the festival presents a special screening of the 1958 classic “St. Louis Blues” as part of its Black Music Program. Featuring stars like Nat “King” Cole, Eartha Kitt, and Mahalia Jackson, the film chronicles a young musician’s struggle between religious duty and the secular music world.
The festival concludes on Sunday, August 3 at 12:00 PM with “Walter Rodney: What They Don’t Want You to Know,” a gripping British documentary by Arlen Harris and Daniyal Harris Vajda. The film examines the life, assassination, and legacy of Guyanese activist and historian Walter Rodney, connecting Cold War conspiracies and Black Power movements to today’s surveillance practices. The documentary features rare insights from Rodney’s widow Patricia Rodney, Angela Davis, Gina Miller, and others.
This year’s ADIFF–Washington D.C. is more than a film showcase—it is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the ongoing struggle for justice and visibility. Through these stories, the festival invites audiences to engage with Africa and its diaspora in new, challenging, and deeply human ways.
Tickets and the full screening schedule are available on the official ADIFF website.