1st Aviation Film Festival in North America
Queen Bess Aviation Centennial Film Festival
Join us for the annual Bessie Coleman Aviation Film Festival (BessFF), where filmmakers from around the world come together to showcase their incredible stories. This festival celebrates the art of filmmaking, with a diverse range of genres and styles. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, panel discussions, and networking events. Don't miss the chance to discover new talents and watch captivating films. Get ready for an unforgettable cinematic experience!
Welcome to the queen Bess Aviation centennial Film Festival
The Bessie Coleman Aviation Film Festival
The Bessie Coleman Aviation Film Festival honors the first African American and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license—a fearless trailblazer who defied gravity and expectation. This groundbreaking event, the first Aviation Film Festival in North America, unites film, innovation, and flight to explore how Coleman’s legacy continues to rise through today’s pioneers of electric aviation, drones, and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
Festival Highlights
🎬 Film Showcase
Independent and student films inspired by Bessie Coleman’s legacy, women in aviation, and the future of flight. Featuring world premieres, documentaries, and shorts that explore innovation, equity, and sustainability across the aerospace frontier.
⚡ Electric Aviation & eVTOL Demos
Hands-on exhibits with electric aircraft and drone technology that reveal the quiet, zero-emission revolution shaping the skies of tomorrow.
🚁 STEM & Drone Education Zone
Interactive workshops where students can pilot drones, explore coding, and learn aviation science—guided by women pilots and aerospace innovators.
As electric aviation redefines what’s possible, Bessie Coleman’s courage reminds us that true innovation takes inclusion.
The Centennial Festival celebrates her enduring influence—bridging the pioneering past with a cleaner, more connected, and more equitable future of flight.
FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS
Awards & Prizes
🏆 Bessie Coleman Centennial Award
🎞️ Best Aviation Feature Film Award
✈️ Best Aviation Short Film Award
🚁 Best Drone Film Award
Our Vision
To link the fearless spirit of Bessie Coleman with the next century of flight—one driven by sustainability, equity, and imagination.
Through film, technology, and storytelling, the festival ignites curiosity and ambition in young people—especially women and underrepresented communities—empowering them to become the aviators, engineers, and creators of tomorrow.
Welcome to Bessie Coleman Aviation Film Festival (BessFF) Film Festival
Experience the Best of Queen Bess Aviation Centennial Film Festival
Join us for a week of celebrating the rich culture and diversity of Bessie Coleman Aviation Film Festival (BessFF) through film. Our festival showcases a range of local and international films that highlight the unique stories, perspectives, and voices of our community. From award-winning dramas to compelling documentaries, you won't want to miss a single screening. With Q&A sessions and other events, this is an opportunity to connect with filmmakers and fellow cinephiles.
