Haiti International Film Festival

10/28/2026

Hello, HIFF Family,

Jacquil Constant, founder and executive director of the Haiti International Film Festival (HIFF), is excited to be a guest speaker at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) for a special screening and Q&A of Black Zombie, a documentary by Jamaican-Canadian filmmaker Maya Annik Bedward.

Jacquil will join Julien Herard, President of LMU's Caribbean and West Indian Students Association (CWISA), for an engaging conversation exploring Haitian Vodou, colonial history, and the evolution of zombie folklore in Hollywood cinema.

Black Zombie Trailer:
https://youtu.be/qxb3f3XumaE?si=N-ty1FhCIqKIhiIa

The discussion will highlight the importance of reclaiming Haitian narratives, challenging Hollywood stereotypes, and celebrating Haiti's cultural influence on global cinema.

Event Details
📅 Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
🕗 Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Hilton 100, Loyola Marymount University (LMU)

In theaters September 11.Black Zombie digs beneath the blood-soak...

10/27/2026

Hello, HIFF Family,

Jacquil Constant, founder and executive director of the Haiti International Film Festival (HIFF), is excited to be a guest speaker at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) for a special screening and Q&A of Black Zombie, a documentary by Jamaican-Canadian filmmaker Maya Annik Bedward.

Jacquil will join Julien Herard, President of LMU's Caribbean and West Indian Students Association (CWISA), for an engaging conversation exploring Haitian Vodou, colonial history, and the evolution of zombie folklore in Hollywood cinema.

The discussion will highlight the importance of reclaiming Haitian narratives, challenging Hollywood stereotypes, and celebrating Haiti's cultural influence on global cinema.

Event Details

📅 Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
🕗 Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Hilton 100, Loyola Marymount University (LMU)

10/26/2026

Hello, HIFF Family! 🇭🇹🎬

The founder and Executive Director of the Haiti International Film Festival (HIFF), Jacquil Constant, has been invited to a special screening of the feature film Melodrama, an official selection from the Dominican Republic!

Starring acclaimed Haitian actor Jimmy Jean-Louis and Dominican actress Mercedes Morales, Melodrama tells a compelling in*******al love story that explores the complexities of race, class, immigration, and human connection.

Jimmy Jean-Louis portrays an educated construction worker who develops an unexpected romantic relationship with a wealthy Dominican widow, played by Mercedes Morales, who is transitioning from her home to an apartment.

Set against the cultural and historical backdrop of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, two nations that share the island of Hispaniola, Melodrama examines the social barriers of racism, classism, and immigration while celebrating the transformative power of cinema.

Melodrama Tralier:
https://youtu.be/ggzDcE7_I_A?si=thxrh4CKbkAC0B43

Sonia, a widow, is forced to sell her lifelong home so she can move...

10/24/2026

🇭🇹 Hello, HIFF Family!

🎬 Celebrate the Halloween season with Haitian talent in Hollywood!

Our very own Haiti International Film Festival (HIFF) host and ambassador, Bechir Sylvain, is a talented Haitian actor who brings his versatility to three exciting productions across different genres!

From the chilling horror series Black Summer to the thrilling adventure Jurassic World Rebirth and the acclaimed comedy-drama Blindspotting, Bechir continues to showcase his remarkable acting talent and represent Haitian creativity in Hollywood on Netflix.

🎃 Enjoy watching these productions this Halloween season, and join us in celebrating Haitian excellence on screen!

10/21/2026

Hello, HIFF Family,

Jacquil Constant, founder and executive director of the Haiti International Film Festival (HIFF), is excited to share an exclusive interview excerpt from his second documentary, Haiti Is a Nation of Artists: Femmes de Couleur.
This compelling video explores cultural erasure and the reclamation of Haitian identity through art, history, and cultural expression.

In this intimate and thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Petrouchka Moïse examines Haitian art through the perspectives of Haitian women artists, highlighting their experiences, creative contributions, and essential roles in preserving Haiti's rich cultural heritage.

Her powerful reflections reveal how art serves as a form of resistance against cultural erasure while reclaiming ancestral memory, cultural identity, and artistic sovereignty.
The interview takes place at the Waterloo Center for the Arts in Iowa, home to one of the largest collections of Haitian art in the United States.

Link to the video:
https://youtu.be/1dxU6P3ZG1g?si=sBkHv-you5Sd3Z57

Director: Jacquil Constant
Editor: Heather Palmer
Production: Constant Production © 2026

10/21/2026

Hello, HIFF Family,

Jacquil Constant, founder and executive director of the Haiti International Film Festival (HIFF), is excited to share an exclusive interview excerpt from his second documentary, Haiti Is a Nation of Artists: Femmes de Couleur.
This compelling video explores cultural erasure and the reclamation of Haitian identity through art, history, and cultural expression.

In this intimate and thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Petrouchka Moïse examines Haitian art through the perspectives of Haitian women artists, highlighting their experiences, creative contributions, and essential roles in preserving Haiti's rich cultural heritage.

Her powerful reflections reveal how art serves as a form of resistance against cultural erasure while reclaiming ancestral memory, cultural identity, and artistic sovereignty.
The interview takes place at the Waterloo Center for the Arts in Iowa, home to one of the largest collections of Haitian art in the United States.

Link to the video:
https://youtu.be/1dxU6P3ZG1g?si=sBkHv-you5Sd3Z57

Director: Jacquil Constant
Editor: Heather Palmer
Production: Constant Production ©2026

This video is an excerpt from an interview featured in the second d...

10/18/2026

Hello, HIFF Family,

We are excited to invite you to the inaugural Haiti International Film Festival (HIFF) Retreat in beautiful Okap (Cap-Haïtien), Haiti, at the historic Hotel Roi Christophe, January 11–18, 2027!

Join us for an unforgettable 8-day cultural and cinematic experience featuring engaging filmmaking workshops, curated cultural excursions, and exclusive film screenings from the HIFF archives. This unique retreat will bring together filmmakers, artists, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts to celebrate Haitian cinema, history, and creativity.

Cap-Haïtien, often regarded as Haiti's cultural capital, provides an inspiring backdrop for this extraordinary experience. Participants will enjoy guided excursions to historically and culturally significant landmarks, including Citadelle Laferrière in Milot, Sans-Souci Palace, the historic Bois Caïman site, and Île-à-Rat (Amiga Island). These excursions will offer participants a deeper understanding of Haiti's revolutionary history, cultural heritage, and resilience while inspiring authentic storytelling through cinema.

Retreat Packages:

VIP Admission: $2,500 per person

HIFF Alumni Special Rate: $2,000 per person

Both packages include accommodations, scheduled activities, and retreat-related expenses. Airfare is not included.

Register for the HIFF Retreat:

https://filmfreeway.com/HIFFRetreat

We look forward to welcoming you to Haiti for an inspiring journey of cinematic storytelling, cultural discovery, artistic collaboration, and meaningful connections!

Join us as we celebrate the richness of Haitian culture and the transformative power of cinema in the historic city of Cap-Haïtien.

Warm regards,

Jacquil Constant
Founder & Executive Director
Haiti International Film Festival (HIFF)

10/17/2026

Hello, HIFF Family,

🇭🇹 Happy Dessalines Day! Celebrating Haitian Independence, Resilience, and the Power of Cinema!

On this historic day honoring Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the revolutionary leader who helped establish Haiti as the world’s first independent Black republic, we proudly celebrate the spirit of freedom, cultural pride, and resilience that continues to inspire Haitian storytelling worldwide.

In that revolutionary spirit, I am thrilled to announce that submissions are officially open for the 12th Annual Haiti International Film Festival, taking place on August 14, 2027, at the historic Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood, California!

Our 2027 theme, “Fanm Djanm: The Art of Resilient Women in Haitian Cinema,” honors the strength, creativity, courage, and extraordinary contributions of Haitian women whose stories continue to shape our cultural identity and cinematic legacy.

We invite filmmakers from Haiti and across the African Diaspora to submit their short films, documentaries, and narrative features to this prestigious celebration of Haitian cinema, artistic excellence, and cultural storytelling in the heart of Hollywood.

A special thank you to our exceptional public relations expert, Cydney Prentice, for crafting an outstanding press release that beautifully captures the vision, mission, and cultural significance of the 2027 festival.

📰 Read the official press release for the 12th Annual Haiti International Film Festival:

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/950171476/12th-annual-haiti-international-film-festival-calls-for-submissions-celebration-of-haitian-diasporic-film-bows-8-14-27

From Dessalines’ revolutionary legacy to the powerful voices of resilient Haitian women, our stories deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated on the world stage! 🇭🇹🎬

Theme for 2027: “Fanm Djanm: The Art of Resilient Women in Haitian Cinema”