The 34th New York African Diaspora International Film Festival (NYADIFF), running November 27–December 13, 2026, is proud to present the Opening Night World Premiere of John Johnson Reporting.
This compelling documentary celebrates the remarkable career of pioneering New York television journalist John Johnson, whose reporting challenged racial barriers, amplified underrepresented voices, and transformed the representation of Black communities in American media.
Through archival footage and personal reflections, the film explores Johnson’s lifelong commitment to journalism that informs, challenges stereotypes, and contributes to a more inclusive democracy.
Opening Night Special Event
- VIP Reception: 7:00 PM
- World Premiere Screening: 8:00 PM
- Special Conversation with John Johnson in person following the film
EARLY BIRD ALL ACCESS PASSES NOW ON SALE!
Your Early Bird All Access Pass includes admission to the Opening Night World Premiere of John Johnson Reporting.
NYADIFF 2026 VIRTUAL FILM FESTIVAL
11 Films. Stories from Across the African Diaspora. Watch from Home.
November 27 – December 13, 2026
The NYADIFF experience extends beyond the movie theater with a selection of films available online throughout the festival.
From the African diaspora in India to the sugarcane fields of the Dominican Republic, from Black resistance in Brazil to intimate stories of family, identity, and belonging, this year’s virtual selection offers a window into experiences and communities rarely represented in mainstream cinema.
Explore the films available online:
THE LAST MEAL — Canada/Haiti
Facing terminal cancer, a Haitian father reconnects with his estranged daughter through shared meals that awaken painful memories of political imprisonment, exile, and the possibility of reconciliation.
VILLAGE KEEPER — Canada
A grieving mother struggles to protect her children while confronting her own unresolved trauma. A moving story about family, healing, and the courage to seek help.
RHYTHM OF DAMMAM — USA/India
In India’s Siddi community, descendants of Africans brought to the subcontinent centuries ago, a young boy haunted by his grandfather’s spirit seeks healing through ancestral traditions and Dammam music.
SUGAR ISLAND — Dominican Republic
A Dominican-Haitian teenager growing up in a sugarcane community navigates questions of identity, family, and belonging against a backdrop of racial inequality and the enduring legacy of the Caribbean sugar industry.
ABOLIÇÃO — Brazil
A century after the abolition of slavery in Brazil, this landmark documentary examines the distance between the promise of freedom and the continuing realities of racial inequality.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES — USA
Young rhythmic gymnast Nastasya Generalova pursues her Olympic dream while confronting the financial pressures, physical demands, and racial barriers of an elite sport.
BRIDES — UK
Two teenage girls leave Britain for Syria in search of purpose and belonging. Their journey explores the consequences of racism, exclusion, and the dangerous promises of radicalization.
AN UNCOMMON WOMAN — Burkina Faso
After discovering her husband’s infidelity, a successful woman decides to take a second husband herself. A lively comedy challenging marital conventions, gender roles, and double standards.
POWER ALLEY — Brazil
When a promising teenage volleyball player faces an unwanted pregnancy, she and her teammates fight to protect her future and her right to make her own choices.
THE SLEEPING NEGRO — USA
A young Black man faces a moral crisis when his employer asks him to commit fraud, forcing him to confront questions of identity, alienation, and personal integrity.
KUESSIPAN — Canada
Set in an Innu community in Quebec, Kuessipan follows two childhood friends whose lives begin to take different paths as they approach adulthood. A moving coming-of-age story exploring friendship, Indigenous identity, family, and the tension between tradition and personal freedom.
WATCH ONLINE —
NOVEMBER 27 TO DECEMBER 13
Virtual Festival Pass — $60
Enjoy unlimited access to the 11 selected films during the festival dates.
Individual Virtual Film Ticket — $10
Choose the films you want to watch.
Experience a world of cinema exploring the histories, cultures, struggles, and achievements of people of African descent around the globe.