The awards were announced on the Closing night of the festival's 7th annual edition, held June 3–6, 2026 at the Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market, Washington, DC, under this year's theme: From the District to the Diaspora.

"The Black Butterfly represents the very soul of what we do at LightReel," said Tim Gordon, Executive Director of LightReel and Founder of the Black Reel Awards. "Every filmmaker we honored throughout the weekend told a story that needed to be told - - stories that reflect the richness, complexity, and beauty of the Black and multicultural experience. We are proud to lift them up on this stage and share their work with the world."

Photo Credit black film & TV

Three Colors: Pan-African, directed by Elijah Davis, Allison A. Waite, and Tyler Ocasio Holmes, claims LightReel's top prize for Best Narrative Feature. The film's selection as this year's top narrative honor reflects the festival's commitment to bold, diaspora-centered storytelling, the beating heart of the From the District to the Diaspora theme.

The Best Documentary Feature award goes to Cole: Bridge to Justice, directed by Antonio Tarrell and Castel V. Sweet, a film that brings an urgent, powerful story to the center of public discourse. Documentary storytelling has long been a cornerstone of LightReel's programming, and this year's winner exemplifies the form at its most essential.

In the short film categories, Tia A. Smith's The Heir earns Best Narrative Short for its precision and emotional resonance, while Kamilah Thurmon's Making Their Pointe wins Best Documentary Short — a tribute to the filmmakers whose short form work commands as much attention as any feature.

Photo Credit Black film & TV

The Best Screenplay honor is awarded to Fordang Nibalum for Sankofa. The title — a word from the Twi language of Ghana meaning "go back and fetch it" — speaks directly to the spirit of this year's festival. To honor work rooted in that philosophy on LightReel's closing night feels entirely right.

Congratulations to all of this years’ Black Butterfly recipients for their outstanding contributions to multicultural storytelling and for helping embody the 2026 festival theme.

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