The Essence Film Festival (EFF), presented in collaboration with Essence Studios, is an annual event dedicated to showcasing original projects in film, television, music, and new media by Black storytellers from across the African diaspora. Anchored in New Orleans, Louisiana, the festival aims to uplift and normalize the Black global worldview in Hollywood by championing and empowering artists. It features screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and celebrity appearances, providing a platform for emerging global creatives and cultural curators to share their stories and connect with industry resources. The festival typically takes place in July, often alongside the ESSENCE Festival of Culture.