Black Stories You Don’t Want to Miss: Top Picks from CIFF

These are the three must-watch Black films from the Cleveland International Film Festival that you need to tune into before Stream Week ends on April 13.

I had the opportunity to attend the Cleveland International Film Festival—and let’s be real—much of the mainstream media we consume doesn’t give us what we’re searching for: longing, yearning, plot twists, cultural competency. They might throw in a sprinkle of diversity, but it often feels like selling our soul just to watch something kinda made for us.

Well, look no further, at least for this week, because I have three films you need to see.

First up is The Weekend, a thrilling Nigerian horror film.
On a mission to expand trust, a couple sets out to visit the fiancé’s home village, until meeting the parents turns... massacre. This is a story of love, vulnerability, and terror. That’s what makes it absolutely brilliant. The Weekend will have you questioning whether you’re pushing just a little too hard for people to open up old wounds. The cinematography, the aesthetic fashions, and the gorgeous, talented cast make this story a must-see while you can.

Next, we have the very wholesome, nostalgic, and necessary documentary, Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story.
A legendary performer with rich details to share about developing and defining herself through music as a Black trans woman. This is a warm recounting of her upbringing, from the church to blues bands, to her only live recorded album. Through this film, Jackie is getting a second chance at stardom. My favorite element? The oil painting animations paired with her sultry sound playing on the tracks. What a beautifully orchestrated film that honors Black queer stories through love and power. If you want to watch a heartwarming story about embracing identity, then this is for you.

Finally, we have the festival's closing night narrative film, Love, Brooklyn.
A beautifully depicted story of love— the growth, the development, and all the confusion. It’s a vulnerable encapsulation of understanding self and the relationship dynamics that are currently shaping us: situationships, people holding on, people letting go, people ignoring what their mind already knows, and what they truly, truly want. The film explores the conversation of change, and how we navigate new or renewed environments, as our personal worlds adjust to the external shifts before our memory. For anyone who loves a complicated romance set in a beautiful city, Love, Brooklyn is one to watch.

While there are more films I’d happily recommend, trust that these three will satisfy your appetite for diverse storytelling. From identity to fear, love to growth, these Black films reflect the complexity of experience. Don’t miss your chance to catch them on CIFF Streams before it ends.