A Look Back at The Compton Film Festival 2026

The third weekend of June was nothing short of magic. On June 20th and 21st, 2026, the campus of Compton Community College transformed into a vibrant hub of cinematic creativity for the Annual Compton Film Festival (TCFF).

From dedicated screenings to filmmaker-focused events, TCFF 2026 proved to be the ultimate space to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the art of the short film. We are so proud of the community that showed up to support the next generation of visual storytellers.

Here is a look back at some of the unforgettable moments and industry powerhouses that made this year’s festival a massive success.

Screenings, Stars, and Real Stories

Saturday kicked off with an incredible surge of energy. We had the pleasure of hosting a special Q&A with actress Ciera Angeli (Sisters, Empire), who shared her journey and insights into the acting world with a captivated audience.

Animation fans were treated to an inspiring session with award-winning producer Shabrayia Cleaver. She broke down the creative process behind DreamWorks' Wednesdays with Gramps, offering emerging animators a masterclass in storytelling.

Later that afternoon, the focus shifted to the undeniable power of truth in storytelling with our panel, "Our Stories, Our Lens: BADWest on Documentary Filmmaking." Moderated by actor and BADWest Chair Joyce Guy, the stage was graced by Ife Olatunji, Earnest Winborne, Andre Campbell, and Terry P. Scott. Together, they explored the vital role of preserving our histories through documentary film and the crucial support BADWest provides to Black documentarians.

Father's Day, Scripts, and Superheroes

Since Sunday coincided with Father's Day, we celebrated in a uniquely Hollywood way with our "Like Father, Like Film" panel. Hosted by Phil Moore, this heartfelt and insightful conversation featured industry families, including Oz Scott, Ozzie Scott, Frank Dawson, Raheem Dawson, and Brittany Scott Smith, discussing generational talent and navigating the industry together.

For the writers in the room, "From the Blueprint: Script to Screen" was an absolute highlight. This powerhouse panel broke down the long journey from the page to the screen, featuring brilliant minds like Gloria “Glo” Brown, Michelle Flowers, and Emmy Award-winning writer Lance Crouther (Everybody Hates Chris).

Finally, we leaped off the page and into new universes with the "From Comics to Animation" panel. Moderated by Eric T. Elder, the audience learned what it takes to build bold worlds and heroic stories from accomplished comic writers and designers Ray-Anthony Height (Amazing Spider-Man, Midnight Tiger) and Philip Victor Colón (Peace Man).

A Legacy Continued

The 2026 Compton Film Festival was more than just a screening event; it was a testament to the power of community and the importance of giving Black artists a platform to shine. To all the filmmakers who submitted their work, the panelists who shared their wisdom, and the audiences who came to watch—thank you.

You are the reason we do this. We can't wait to see what stories you tell next, and we will see you back in Compton in 2027!

GALLERY