ImageNation Returns to Harlem Week with Expanded Film and Music Series

As part of the 2026 Harlem Week festivities, the nonprofit organization ImageNation is launching its annual film and music festival. The series, which aims to highlight the stories and creativity of Black artists, is scheduled to run from August 3 to September 27 at multiple outdoor venues across the neighborhood. Organizers anticipate an attendance of over 10,000 people throughout the duration of the event.

Founded in 1997 by Moikgantsi Kgama, ImageNation was established to promote Black media and voices. Current executive producer Gregory Gates, who collaborated with the late Harlem Week founder Lloyd Williams to grow the festival, stated that the organization prioritizes films that depict Black culture in a realistic and multi-dimensional manner. According to Gates, the selection process focuses on works that resonate with the local community.

This year’s programming includes a diverse lineup of features and documentaries, such as *When a Witness Recants*, *Michael*, *Mr. Nelson on the Northside: the untold story of Prince*, *A Wu-Tang Experience: Live at the Red Rocks Amphitheater*, *Zootopia*, *Afro-Punk*, and *Sun Ra: Do the Impossible*.

Special attention is being given to the documentary *Mr. Nelson on the Northside*, which Gates described as a significant look at Prince during the tenth anniversary of the artist's passing. Additionally, the festival will feature a screening of *Afro-Punk*, a documentary exploring the Black alternative movement, which will be preceded by a discussion with filmmaker James Spooner.

Beyond film screenings, the festival will host several auxiliary artistic events. These include a preview of the Black Anime Con, The Gerald Barclay Residency—a full-day program featuring masterclasses and conversations—and The Politics of Black Women in Film and Luminary Award Ceremony.

Reflecting on the partnership between ImageNation and Harlem Week, Gates expressed a commitment to maintaining the legacy of the late Lloyd Williams. Further details regarding the schedule and specific venue locations can be found on the official Harlem Week event calendar.