Howard Hosts Filmmaker Summit With $8,500 Prize And Final P-Valley Season Talk

The HBCU First Look Film & TV Festival returns to Howard University Nov. 5-7 for its fourth edition.

The three-day event centers on the theme “How To Be The Next,” aiming to assist aspiring actors, writers, and filmmakers in entering the industry. Starz serves as a major sponsor for the 2026 edition.

Nico Annan and Shannon Thornton, stars of P-Valley, will discuss the show’s third and final season. That season is scheduled to premiere on Starz Dec. 3. They will join producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on panels. The group also includes Tony Award winner Myles Frost from MJ The Musical. Howard alumni and A Different World cast members Kennedi Reece, Jade Johnson, and Jadah Clay will also participate in discussions.

A key component of the festival is the HBCU First Look Challenge, which selected finalists from more than 450 applicants. One student will receive an $8,500 prize and an internship at the awards luncheon. Jada Evans, a graduate student at Florida A&M University, is a finalist. Her film, Rooted in Resilience: Black Farmer Perspectives on Land, Loss, and Legacy, is nominated for Best Feature Film.

Evans told Cassiuslife.com that being a finalist affirmed her belief in social advocacy within film and television. She noted that her project demonstrates how FAMU’s Department of Social Work prepares students to confront disparities. The luncheon will also honor HBCU alumni including Eva Marcille, Michael Strahan, and Tone Bell.

Programming includes master classes and panels titled “Do the Right Thing,” “Hidden Figures,” and “School Daze.” These sessions cover legal navigation, behind-the-scenes work for women, and Black storytelling. Industry figures such as Nikki Micheaux will lead master classes. Director Rotimi will screen clips from his new film God with Us, which opens Nov. 13. Bentley Kyle Evans will introduce New State of Mind, a series set for AspireTV.

The festival concludes with a celebration of the 10th anniversary of Andscape, ESPN’s platform for Black sports stories. This includes a panel discussion and a closing-night gala on Saturday.