Name: 7 Candle Film Festival
Start: 2025-12-28T13:00:00-05:00
Location: Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library

The Hampton Roads Greenbook® proudly announces the launch of the 7 Candle Film Festival, a groundbreaking new cultural event that will debut this December. Inspired by the seven candles of Kwanzaa—symbols of unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith—the festival shines a light on stories that honor Black diasporic and Indigenous cultures.
In its inaugural year, the 7 Candle Film Festival will feature films from local, national, and international filmmakers whose work amplifies voices too often underrepresented in mainstream media. The lineup will include narrative films, documentaries, and shorts that celebrate heritage, examine social issues, and highlight the resilience and creativity of communities of African and Indigenous descent.
The festival is not only about watching films—it’s about building community and circulating resources. Attendees will have opportunities to participate in filmmaker talkbacks, cultural workshops, and networking sessions designed to connect artists, entrepreneurs, and community members. Just as the Hampton Roads Greenbook® connects residents to local businesses and cultural assets, the 7 Candle Film Festival expands that mission into the world of cinema and storytelling.
This first year of the festival marks the beginning of a tradition that will grow into a cornerstone cultural event for Hampton Roads—one that educates, entertains, and empowers while staying rooted in the values of unity, cultural pride, and collective advancement.
The 7 Candle Film Festival: Illuminating stories, celebrating heritage, and building bridges across communities.