On Sunday, August 31, Pillsbury House + Theatre will host the Black August Queer Film Festival, a day-long celebration of Black queer artistry, resilience, and liberation. Running from noon to 6 p.m., the festival marks the first major public event in the new Pillsbury Creative Commons at 3501 Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis.
Rooted in the tradition of Black August—a month dedicated to remembrance, resistance, and reflection—the festival honors freedom fighters, political prisoners, and cultural workers whose legacies continue to inspire movements for justice. It also uplifts the voices of Black queer filmmakers and performers who use their art to heal, challenge, and imagine new futures.
A day of film and performance
The program includes free screenings, live performances, and community conversations:
- 12 p.m. Welcome, invocation, and opening performances
- 1 p.m. Love is Like (Ibimina D.T.) and How to Witness a Miracle (Ajanaé D. and Mathais P.)
- 2:30 p.m. Sweetness of Wild (Free Black Dirt) and Erotics of Abolition (Junauda P.)
- 3:30 p.m. All My Niggas Surround Me… (Jai)
- 4:30 p.m. Conversation on art, queerness, and abolition with Valerie Deus and Danez Smith
Throughout the day, guests can also enjoy a community fair with food, local vendors, and organizations centered on wellness, justice, and education.
Featured artists
This year’s festival highlights visionary Black queer creatives, including Erin Sharkey, Junauda Petrus, Ibimina Dominique Thompson, Ajanaé Dawkins, Matthew (Mathias) Pitts, and Jai.
The festival is curated by award-winning poet Danez Smith and co-produced by artist and cultural strategist Tish Jones.
Event details
Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
Time: Noon to 6 p.m.
Location: Pillsbury House + Theatre, 3501 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Cost: Free and open to the public
Tickets are available at Eventbrite.