Series
A competitive section for short-form episodic series directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent. Series selected for this section compete for the Jury Award for Best Series with a cash prize of $2,500 sponsored by NBCUniversal. The following are the 2025 official selections in the Series category:
Ainsi va Manu (Hogtown)
CANADA | 21 min | US PREMIERE
Forced to leave her hometown temporarily, Manuela finds it difficult to adapt to her new surroundings. She has only one thing on her mind: moving back to Toronto. However, an unexpected encounter turns Manuela’s life upside down, calling into question everything she’s known up to now.
Director: Josiane Blanc | Writer: Josiane Blanc | Producers: Josiane Blanc, Ania Jamila | Cast: Cindy Charles, Sandra Dorélas, Jamaal Mansaray, Laurence Barrette, Ted Pluviose, Madani Tall, Maïka Ferron, Nam Nguyen
I Hate My Love Life
USA | 15 min
After years of bickering, a well-seasoned married couple decide to go on dates with other people to see if the grass is really greener on the other side; only to find out they are not prepared for the woes of new-age dating.
Director: Tiffany Jackman | Writer: Tiffany Jackman | Producers: Tiffany Jackman, Orion Phillips II, Nia Watenza, Paula Spencer | Cast: Reggie Hayes, Terri J. Vaughn, Daphnique Springs, Orion Phillips II, Meghan Falcone, Roy Wood Jr.
IntelliGent
USA | 28 min
Regent, an autistic genius in fourth grade is lured by a bully’s promise of popularity, setting off a race against time to unveil the truth and avoid a year of humiliation and disaster.
Director: Kinnik Sky | Writer: Kinnik Sky | Producers: Kinnik Sky | Cast: Josiah Howard-Tobia, Ernest Thomas, Kinnik Sky, Nia Johnson, Harper Bree, Rhaja Leigh, Dylan Taylor, Jaeden White
OFFBEAT
USA | 29 min | WORLD PREMIERE
A quirky yet classy late 20s woman struggles to hide her true self as she leads an entertaining double life.
Director: Jasmine Ogunjimi | Writer: Paige Carroll | Producer: Paige Carroll | Cast: Breayre Tender, Robert Daniels, G’ionna Bowman, Craig Amar Johnson, April Rock, Dominick Johnson, Ahmenah Richardson
Sideline Story
USA | 24 min | WORLD PREMIERE
Hezi and Parker are two ex-basketball phenoms who find themselves in a similar predicament of financial struggles, soon to realize that ball might be the solution to both of their problems.
Directors: Deantè Gray, Sam Buckner, III | Writer: Sam Buckner, III | Producers: Sam Buckner, III, Ski-ter Jones | Cast: Ezekiel Ajeigbe, Shan Moreno, David Reivers, Sophina DeJesus, King Martin
The Hype
USA | 18 min
A young Black couple battles the sleazy sea of L.A. materialistic culture, at a party in the Hollywood Hills.
Director: Justin Casselle | Writers: Maya Cryor, Joel Boyd | Producers: Ramone Hulet, Christopher McQueen, Maya Cryor, Joel Boyd | Cast: Maya Cryor, Joel Boyd, Ezekiel Ajeigbe, Alexis Brown, Fana Tesfagiorgis, Eliza Skinner, Randall Harr