The Black Continental Independent Movie Awards (BCIMA, pronounced Bee-See-Ma), also known as the Black Cinema Awards, is an online film festival and awards event that recognizes and celebrates excellence in film by persons of African descent or films about the global black experience.

Our Mission

To promote black independent filmmakers and support black films.

Our Vision

To increase marketing and distribution opportunities for black independent filmmakers or films related to black issues.

Films completed two (2) years before the submission start date are eligible for consideration in our selection. Non-English submissions must be available in their original language with English subtitles.

Film Categories: Feature (over 40 minutes), Short (40 minutes or less), Documentary

Our selection process is conducted by a panel of film enthusiasts, and selected films are notified via FilmFreeway.

Selection Criteria

• Films that promote black culture or address black issues
• Films made by black independent filmmakers

Our nominations (best film, best director, best screenplay, etc.) are recommended by the selection panel and published here on our website.

Our judging methodology is heavily influenced by a peer-to-peer rating system, where filmmakers who have been selected for their particular categories (features, shorts, or documentaries) serve as judges.

After we set up the BCIMA judges sub-user account, judges are required to watch and rate films that have been uploaded and assigned to them on FilmFreeway.

Rating Categories:

1. Originality & Creativity
2. Direction
3. Writing
4. Cinematography
5. Lead Male(s) Performance(s)
6. Lead Female(s) Performance(s)
7. Supporting Male(s) Performance(s)
8. Supporting Female(s) Performance(s)
9. Editing
10. Sound & Music

Our award ceremony is a red carpet, stylish, and energetic event honoring independent filmmakers and black films.

BCIMA Winners

• All winners will receive a Black Continental Independent Movie Awards trophy.
• In the event of multiple winners (such as writers or producers), BCIMA will provide a maximum of two (2) trophies; additional trophies may be purchased.

For all inquiries, including press and sponsorship, send an email to info@bcima.com