Morton Theatre to host first annual Athens African American Film Festival

The following was released by Morgan Theatre

The inaugural Athens African American Film Festival (AAAFF), presented by the Morton Theatre Corporation, will take place April 3-4, 2026, at the historic Morton Theatre in downtown Athens.

The two-day festival celebrates Black storytelling through film, music, and conversation, bringing together local artists, scholars, and the broader community.

The festival opens Friday evening with Frames & Flows: Athens Hip-Hop Video Showcase, featuring locally produced music videos and live performances by Cassie Chantel, Ant Da Ripper, and Amun-Ra, along with a panel discussion.

On Saturday, the festival presents a screening of Julie Dash’s landmark film Daughters of the Dust, followed by a panel discussion featuring leading scholars including Dr. Freda Scott Giles, Valerie Babb (Emory University), and Jerry Rafiki Jenkins (University of Georgia).

An opening reception begins at 6 p.m. Friday, with limited capacity for the first 100 guests.

Friday’s event is free with ticket registration. Saturday tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

The festival is supported by the Athens Downtown Development Authority, Union Fare, and R. Alan Cleveland, LLC.

For tickets and information, visit mortontheatre.com or call 706-613-3771.