ADIFF NY 2026: Cinema Opens Worlds
November 27 – December 13
34th Annual African Diaspora International Film Festival
How do we understand the world around us? How do we learn to understand one another? And where can we find stories that truly matter?
These questions have never felt more urgent.
We live in a world where fear, anger, and mistrust are pushing people apart. We have more information than ever, yet it is becoming harder to know what is true and who to trust.
Inspired by the philosophy of John Dewey, we believe education goes far beyond the classroom. The stories we hear, the images we see, and the films we watch shape how we understand the world and one another.
We need places where we can learn, think, listen, and talk to one another. We need stories that open our eyes, not close our minds.
For 34 years, the African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) has worked to enrich the cultural landscape of New York and beyond by bringing audiences films too often missing from our screens. Stories from Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, and beyond. Stories of struggle and hope, injustice and courage, love and laughter.
We believe that learning about the world can be exciting, joyful, surprising, and deeply moving. We also believe that appreciating the diversity of our world is not a luxury. It is a necessity.Understanding one another helps us fight fear and prejudice and build a stronger democracy.
ADIFF is more than a film festival. It is a place to discover, to feel, to question, and to connect.
ADIFF NY 2026 invites you to explore an extraordinary lineup of international award winners, Oscar submissions, rediscovered classics, powerful documentaries, filmmaker conversations, and joyful cultural celebrations.
There is something for everyone, and every film offers a chance to discover something new.
The world is changing. Division is growing. We cannot afford to stop learning about one another.
Come for the films. Stay for the conversations. Leave seeing the world a little differently.