black history month – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: One-A-Day Movie Watch List

February 12, 2026February 15, 2026 Jennifer Merin Black culture, black history month, curated watch lists

Welcome to the Alliance of Women Film Journalists’ Black History Month Movie Watch List. In alphabetical order, we present the titles of 32 watch-worthy movies, a one-a-day selection of films to view during February. We also suggest several double bills for binging.

Our compendium of titles was selected from hundreds of the beautifully crafted, relevant and relatable films that elucidate Black experiences, tell stories of Black lives and illuminate Black history — and represent recent trending and best productions about Black history and culture. We chose films that represent a variety of diverse perspectives as expressed in both obscure titles and blockbusters, covering genres ranging from romcom to horror, from sci fi fantasy to biopic and documentary, with release dates ranging from 1920 to the present. We emphasize the work of Black women filmmakers who’ve provided the movie-going world with an outstanding collection of brilliant films that will be important and elucidating representations of Black stories and culture for decades to come.

News

WEEK IN WOMEN: WHO IN THE HELL IS REGINA JONES? on TV for Black History Month – Brandy McDonnell reports

February 6, 2026February 8, 2026 Brandy McDonnell Billy Miossi, black history month, documentary, Soraya Sélène, soul newspaper, the week in women, twiw, Weigel Broadcasting, Who in the Hell Is Regina Jones?

The award-winning documentary Who in the Hell Is Regina Jones? will have its national broadcast premiere to mark Black History Month. Billed as a first-of-its-kind multi-network entertainment event, the biodoc’s “roadblock” presentation is on Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. ET across Weigel Broadcasting’s three networks, making it widely available to viewers. The film turns a lens on Regina Jones’ remarkable journey: the invisible labor, turmoil, struggle and joy of a modern-day Black woman, who emerged as publisher and founder of the groundbreaking SOUL newspaper, a nationwide platform where Black artists could get coverage long before other publications entered the arena.

Lists News

BLACK HISTORY MONTH One-A-Day Movie Watch 2022

February 5, 2022February 6, 2022 Jennifer Merin black films, black history month

Listed in alphabetical order, AWFJ presents the titles of 28 watch-worthy movies, a one-a-day selection of films to view during February 2022. We also suggest several double bills for binging. Our compendium of titles was selected from hundreds of the beautifully crafted, relevant and relatable films that elucidate Black experiences, tell stories of Black lives and illuminate Black history — and represent recent trending and best productions about Black history and culture. We chose films that represent a variety of diverse perspectives as expressed in both obscure titles and blockbusters, covering genres ranging from romcom to horror, from sci fi fantasy to biopic and documentary, with release dates ranging from 1920 to the present.

Reviews

THE BLOOD OF JESUS (1941) – Retroview by Marilyn Ferdinand

February 2, 2022February 2, 2022 Marilyn Ferdinand (Archived Contributor) black history month, Cathryn Caviness, James B. Jones, Rogenia Goldthwaite, Spencer Williams, the blood of jesus

Among the creators of the race films that brought stories by and about African Americans to segregated Black audiences from the 1920s through the 1940s, Spencer Williams holds a prominent place. He acted in 33 films, including the 13 films he directed, and made the most of his low budgets and largely unskilled actors, showing impressive growth in technique, storytelling, and versatility as he worked. The Blood of Jesus was the first feature film he directed and shows what a formidable talent he was.

Reviews

WITHIN OUR GATES (1920) – Retroview by Diane Carson

February 1, 2022February 6, 2022 Diane Carson black filmmakers, black history month, Evelyn Preer, Oscar Micheaux, Within Our Gates

An extraordinary, early twentieth-century entrepreneur, Oscar Micheaux wrote, produced, directed, and exhibited what were then called race films. From 1919’s The Homesteader (now considered lost) to 1948’s The Betrayal, Micheaux’s forty productions explicitly addressed contemporary issues in a Jim Crow era. The earliest surviving feature by an African-American director, Within Our Gates (1920), tackles subjects still relevant and dramatically presented.

Reviews

JUST ANOTHER GIRL ON THE I.R.T. (1992) – Retroview by Diane Carson

February 1, 2022February 6, 2022 Diane Carson Ariyan A. Johnson, black films, black history month, Just Another Girl on the I.R.T., leslie harris

Feisty and fantastic, Chantel is much more than Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. And the film, written, produced, and directed by Leslie Harris is much more as well, shifting our point of view to that of seventeen-year-old Chantel Mitchell who has definite ideas about her future. She has spunk, determination, and strength, along with an in-your-face assertiveness. Informed by Harris’ hours of interviews at the Brooklyn Teen Pregnancy Center, events express real-world perspectives and challenges. As Chantel, Ariyan A. Johnson is as believable as she is charismatic, resolute, and confident.

Commentaries

Reflecting on Black History Month – Jazz Tangcay reports

March 3, 2020August 23, 2020 Jazz Tangcay 0 Comments black history month, Gina Prince-Bythewood, karin gist, kasi lemmons, robin thede, ruth carter, taylor k shaw, variety

Director Kasi Lemmons says, “I celebrate black history all year.” For the Harriet and Self Made director and other African American film artists, Black History Month isn’t just about February, it’s every day. In a series of guest columns, Ruth Carter, Karin Gist, Robin Thede and Lemmons are among the artists who contributed to Variety’s spotlight on Black History Month.