ADIFF Public Award for Best Film Directed by a Woman of Color
The ADIFF Public Award for Best Film Directed by a Woman of Color is an annual audience-voted award presented as part of the African Diaspora International Film Festival’s New York edition. The award recognizes a filmmaker whose work demonstrates compelling storytelling and celebrates the diverse perspectives and experiences of women of color in international cinema. Festival audiences have the opportunity to participate directly in the selection process by voting for their preferred film throughout the festival. The winning filmmaker receives a $1,000 cash prize and an award plaque, providing both recognition and tangible support for their continued creative work.
past Winners
2025 — Sugar Island — Johanne Gómez Terrero
2024 — Legacy: The De-Colonized History of South Africa — Tara Moore
2023 — Shantaye's World — Mathurine Emmanuel & Guillaume Rico
2022 — Acting While Black — Rokhaya Diallo
2021 — She Had a Dream — Raja Amari
2020 — Finding Sally — Tamara Mariam Dawit Finding Sally
2019 — Made in Bangladesh — Rubaiyat Hossain
2018 — No Shade — Clare Anyiam-Osigwe
2017 — Barrow: Freedom Fighter — Marcia Weekes
2016 — Spirits of Rebellion: Black Cinema from UCLA — Zeinabu irene Davis
2015 — BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez — Sabrina Schmidt Gordon
2014 — Bound: Africans vs. African Americans — Peres Owino UW-Green Bay News
2013 — Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth — Pratibha Parmar
2012 — Here We Drown Algerians: October 17, 1961 — Yasmina Adi
2011 — A Lot Like You — Eliaichi Kimaro A Lot Like You
2010 — Soul Boy — Hawa Essuman
2009 — The Little Black School House — Sylvia D. Hamilton Johanna Bermudez-Ruiz
2008 — Naked Acts — Bridgett M. Davis Bridgett M. Davis
2007 — Barrow: Freedom Fighter — Siatta Scott Johnson
2006 — Shoot the Messenger — Ngozi Onwurah
2005 — Faces of Change — Michèle Stephenson
2004 — Sisters in Cinema — Yvonne Welbon
2002 — Rachida — Yamina Bachir-Chouikh
2000 — Feminine Dilemma — Zara Mahamat Yacoub — BET Movies Award for Best Film Directed by a Woman of Color