During NBA All-Star Week, the HBCU First LOOK Film Festival (HBCUFLF) delivered a standout cultural moment with a packed celebration at the Maybourne Beverly Hills honoring the “25th anniversary of Love & Basketball.” The special gathering brought together influential voices across film, sports, and media to spotlight the film’s enduring legacy and the evolution of women’s representation both on screen and in athletics.
The evening paid tribute to director Gina Prince-Bythewood and her groundbreaking impact on storytelling. Moderated by Laura Coates, the conversation featured Prince-Bythewood alongside actress Sanaa Lathan and an esteemed panel including WNBA icon Candace Parker, basketball legend Cheryl Miller, journalist Cari Champion, and pioneering sports broadcaster Jayne Kennedy.
(L-R: Cheryl Miller, Candace Parker, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Laura Coates, Sanaa Lathan, Jayne Kennedy, and Cari Champion. (PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of HBCU First LOOK Film Festival/ The Sibley Firm)
(L-R Cheryl Miller and Candice Parker: (PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of HBCU First LOOK Film Festival/ The Sibley Firm)
Together, they reflected on the film’s cultural resonance and its powerful role in broadening visibility for women athletes and reshaping narratives in sports and entertainment.
(Sheila Eldridge, Founder of HBCU First LOOK Film Festival and CEO of Miles Ahead Entertainment: Courtesy of HBCU First LOOK Film Festival/ The Sibley Firm)
“This event is more than a celebration of cinematic achievement; it exemplifies how powerful stories can reshape paradigms,” said Sheila Eldridge, Founder of HBCU First LOOK Film Festival and CEO of Miles Ahead Entertainment. “We are at a crucial intersection where storytelling meets advocacy, forging new pathways for future generations.”
In a heartfelt moment, Cari Champion honored the women who paved the way: “Thank you, Jayne Kennedy, for paving the way for every woman on this stage.” She also acknowledged journalist and cultural commentator Jemele Hill, who was in attendance, for continuing to lead important conversations around sports and representation.
The VIP audience included Vanessa Bell Calloway, Loni Love, Erika Ringor, and Tia Beauchamp, among others, underscoring the event’s dynamic intersection of culture, community, and industry leadership.
With support from CNN, TNT Sports, Black Girl Vitamins, OWN, Visit East Point, and Warner Bros. Discovery, the event highlighted the strength and resilience of creative communities while fostering meaningful dialogue across film, sports, and media.
Looking ahead, submissions for the 2026 HBCU First LOOK Film Challenge opened on February 12, 2026, and will remain open through August 28, 2026.
Visit www.hbcufirstlook.com or www.FilmFreeway.com for submission rules and qualifications.
About HBCU First LOOK Film Festival:
The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival is a curated platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of emerging and established filmmakers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The festival champions access, visibility, and industry opportunity by connecting HBCU creatives with leaders across film, television, sports, and media through screenings, panels, and cultural programming.
The 2026 Festival returns to Howard University in Washington, D.C., November 5–7. Past honorees and speakers have included President and Michelle Obama, Ryan Coogler, Ruth E. Carter, Lynn Whitfield, Colma Domingo and Marsai Martin, among many other influential voices shaping culture and storytelling today.
