Marking African Heritage Month
Join us as we celebrate and honour the contributions of the African diaspora to our provinces and country in the coming weeks. The theme for African Heritage Month 2026 is Strength in Unity: Moving Forward with Purpose, Prosperity, Power, and Progress. Scroll below to find out our recommendations for events to attend, films to watch, and people to learn from this month. There is plenty to explore and these lists are one of many ways you can celebrate this month.
Events to Attend
Prince Edward Island
What: BAM BAM: The Sister Nancy Story
When: Feb 21, 2026. 7:00 PM
Where: Tivoli Cinema, Charlottetown
Beyond the Frame joins the Black Cultural Society of PEI in presenting a screening of BAM BAM: The Sister Nancy Story. This impactful documentary celebrates the life, legacy, and global impact of Sister Nancy, the first woman to record a dancehall DJ album and a true pioneer of reggae music. A mixer will follow the film, featuring old-school reggae and dancehall music, free food and prize giveaways. This event centres Black storytelling, music, and connection, and is open to all who wish to celebrate Black history through film, sound, and shared space.
New Brunswick
What: Artist Talk with Gary Weekes
When: Feb 5, 2026. 5 - 7:00 PM
Where: UNB Art Centre, East & West Galleries, Memorial Hall
Join Fredericton-based artist Gary Weekes for a conversation and discussion about representation, artistry, and the stories carried through Black skin. Weekes’ exhibition Trayces is on display all February at the University of New Brunswick Art Centre. UNB Art Centre’s Rediscovering the Roots of Black New Brunswickers is on display with Trayces all month long. Be sure to check out both exhibits!
Nova Scotia
What: 10th Halifax Black Film Festival
When: Feb 20 - 24, 2026
Where: Online and in-person at Cineplex Cinemas, Park Lane, Halifax
The Halifax Black Film Festival has entered double digits! HBFF is back for their 10th year, continuing to spotlight and amplify Black stories and Black filmmakers. The full program line-up is coming soon, but tickets are on sale now. You won’t want to miss this fantastic festival. Watch the trailer for this year’s opening film Of Mud and Blood.
Where to Watch
National Film Board
Explore the National Film Board’s collection Black Voices in Cinema, featuring animated works, short films, and full-length documentaries. Enjoy new works like Jireh Gospel: Hearts in Chorus or discover older films such as Silvia Hamilton’s Speak It! From the Heart of Black Nova Scotia.
CBC Gem
CBC Gem has multiple categories to choose from, all available with a free account! Watch stories about sports, music, comedy, and more. We’re tuning in for season 2 of Dreaming Whilst Black, a series about Kwabena, an aspiring filmmaker stuck in a dead-end recruitment job who takes the first step to achieving his dream.
Reel Canada
Dive into the world of Canadian films and browse through the Black Filmmakers collection. The catalogue is a list of everything REEL Canada has curated since their founding in 2005. Feel free to use this great resource to assist you in building out your own list of must-watch movies this Black History Month.
Who You Can Learn From
The Black Screen Office
The Black Screen Office (BSO) is an invaluable resource for the Canadian screen industry. The BSO aims to make the screen industry in Canada equitable and free of anti-Black racism through collaboration, research, funding opportunities, education, and more. In September 2025, the BSO made headlines with the release of their Anti-Black Racism Policy Framework: A guide for Canadian cultural organizations to move from statements to sustainable change. The framework includes a list of 10 things every cultural organization must do to move beyond words and into measurable change. The BSO also has several free reports that provide valuable insight for anyone working in film today; be sure to download and read Being Seen: The Black Communities Report.