Black Film Center & Archive

Until August 17th, the BFCA will be accessible via appointment only. Throughout the summer, the staff will work on several archival projects and finalize the Fall 2026 programming calendar. We’ll also support our partners’ events in Bloomington and Indianapolis. Look for us at local Juneteenth celebrations and at the Indiana Youth Film Festival on June 26-28th!

The BFCA team would still love to host you in our space and will schedule appointments throughout the summer. If you’re interested in visiting, please email us at [email protected].

Congratulations to all IU graduates! We hope your celebrations were safe and full of love. Several members of the BFCA community completed their degrees: student employee Polina Saburova and volunteers Tsehai Bean, Abby Beathea, T’lay Foulkes, Ashley Hayes, Terry Johnson Jr., and Mikaylah Taylor graduated! It’s been a joy watching each of you grow, and your BFCA family wishes you all the best in your next chapters!

Credits:
First image - “Drumline” (Charles Stone III, 2002)
Graduates - Courtesy photos provided by our students.

Jerald Harkness’s film, When Everyone Swims, packed the house out at the IU Cinema to see this amazing film, 4/29/2026!! Congratulations to the entire film crew on a successful event!! It was an honor to contribute to and celebrate this moment!! Continue to spread the message… “Because when everyone swims, lives are saved!” Be on the lookout for a screening near you!!

Jerald Harkness, filmmaker and BFCA friend, has made it to Bloomington and stopped by his home away from home, with more film materials to add to the Jerald Harkness Collection!! We look forward to seeing everyone at the When Everyone Swims screening at 7pm at the IU Cinema!!

Happy IU Day from Hoosier the Bison and BFCA Director Dr. Novotny Lawrence!!

The inaugural Soul Era Symposium is less than one week away! Have you registered? If not, make your way to our bio and click the link. You don’t want to miss this. Get your Soul Train outfit ready for next Saturday. 👀🖤🎙️✖️

Join us for this highlight of the Soul weekend! An Evening with Dr. Portia Maultsby! Hear from the legend herself as she talks about her life’s work in preserving, researching, and celebrating Black popular music. This conversation will be moderated by Dr. Charles Sykes. Meet us Constellation Playhouse downtown Bloomington! See you there! 🎶🎙️