DBWFF 2026 - WATERMELON WOMAN

<p dir="auto" style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36); font-family: &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Web (West European)&quot;, -apple-system, &quot;system-ui&quot;, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: inherit;">The Dayton Black Women's Film Festival's third year will close on May 24. We close out the festival with a powerful reflection of this year’s theme, “Black women educating through film,” by honoring a work that forever shifted the landscape of independent cinema.<br></span>The evening will begin with our Hometown Heroes Shorts Program, featuring three local Black women filmmakers whose films are competing for a $500 scholarship award, highlighting the next generation of storytellers right here in our community.<br>Following the shorts program, join us for the 30th anniversary screening of Cheryl Dunye’s THE WATERMELON WOMAN, a film that boldly redefined narrative, authorship, and the archive for Black and queer cinema. As one of the first feature films directed by a Black lesbian filmmaker, its impact continues to resonate across generations.&nbsp;<i>Film Synopsis</i> – THE WATERMELON WOMAN: "Blending fiction and documentary, the film follows a young Black filmmaker researching a forgotten Black actress from 1930s Hollywood, uncovering hidden histories while navigating her own identity, love life, and artistic voice."<br>Closing Night is about honoring legacy, reclaiming history, and celebrating the stories that continue to educate, challenge, and inspire. A perfect ending to a weekend rooted in community, culture, and the power of Black women in film. Tickets just $13.50 – on sale now.</p>PT2H5M2026-05-24DBWFF 2026 - WATERMELON WOMAN"DBWFF 2026 - WATERMELON WOMAN"

Showtimes

May 24, 3:00 pm

THE NEON