About the Festival
Who We Are
The Black August Film Festival is more than a film exhibition—it is a platform for education, dialogue, and cultural preservation. Rooted in the legacy of Black August, the festival honors history while uplifting contemporary narratives that explore social justice, identity, resilience, and creativity. Each year, the festival brings together filmmakers, artists, community leaders, youth, and audiences from across the region and beyond.
Why We Do It
Black August is an annual commemoration and prison-based holiday that honors freedom fighters and political prisoners, highlighting Black resistance against racial oppression. The event takes place throughout the entire month of August.
The History
The Black Guerilla Family began Black August in San Quentin State Prison in 1979. A group of incarcerated individuals came together to commemorate the deaths of Pasadena resident Jonathan P. Jackson (d. August 7, 1970) in Marin County, CA, and his brother George Jackson (d. August 21, 1971) at San Quentin State Prison.