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BY THE EDITORS |

2026 Festival Watch Guide: Expressions of Black Freedom

Highlighting this year’s theme “Moving Beyond Expectations.”

2026 Festival Watch Guide: Expressions of Black Freedom

Expressions of Black Freedom looks at the overall program and finds a theme that seems intrinsic to the year's selections, and this year's answer is Moving Beyond Expectations. The program takes audiences on a curatorial journey by centering stories and storytellers that shed expectations as a benchmark, refusing to exist within or in relation to them. So hear from the accomplished NBA player, producer, and entrepreneur Dwyane Wade, or immerse yourself in a documentary about an all-Black team setting out to summit Mount Everest.


We have over 150 selections to explore at this year's Festival — from films and podcasts to talks and TV and more. Explore the full Festival Program Guide here.




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