Honorees Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis, Jasmine Burke, and Jeresa Featherstone-Winfield Deliver Powerful Messages of Purpose, Legacy, and Excellence
BronzeLens Film Festival of Atlanta, Georgia, proudly launched its 2026 season with an unforgettable BronzeLens SuperStars Weekend, featuring a dynamic series of curated events celebrating Black excellence in film, television, and the creative arts. The weekend honored trailblazing talent while paying tribute to CBS's groundbreaking daytime drama “Beyond the Gates,” drawing an impressive gathering of industry leaders, creatives, and supporters. BronzeLens opened SuperStars Weekend at Spelman College with Reel Power, a candid conversation with four Black women shaping film and television. The afternoon blended inspiration and hard-earned wisdom with a behind-the-scenes look at the industry, all with a touch of humor, according to SoFu Lifestyle writer Gabrielle Latimore, who attended the Friday panel.
On Saturday, March 7, the spotlight shifted to the prestigious BronzeLens Women SuperStars Honors at the Rialto Center for the Arts. The evening featured a powerful “In Conversation” with “Beyond the Gates” cast and production team members, including Legendary SuperStar honoree Tamara Tunie, Visionary SuperStar honoree Jasmine Burke, and Behind the Lens SuperStar honoree Jeresa Featherstone-Winfield. Moderated by acclaimed filmmaker and 2018 BronzeLens Women SuperStar Ayoka Chenzira, the discussion offered an intimate look at career trajectories, creative resilience, and the pursuit of personal balance.
The evening attracted a distinguished audience, including our own Saycon Sengbloh—who delivered a stirring live performance—and Andre Dickens, alongside a host of “Beyond the Gates” cast members and notable guests, all arriving in striking, elevated style.
The weekend concluded on Sunday, March 8, with the highly anticipated Sunday Brunch with the Brothers, a signature gathering celebrating Black male excellence in entertainment. Multi-hyphenate legend Clifton Davis was honored with the Bronze Excellence in Iconic Performance and Ministry Award. Joined by fellow “Beyond the Gates”cast members—including Keith D. Robinson, Timon Kyle Durrett, Robert Riley, Mike Manning, Sean Freeman, Jibre Hordges, Alex Alegria, Maurice P. Kerry, Jon Lindstrom, and Lami Friebe—the group engaged in meaningful dialogue about purpose, perseverance, and success in the entertainment industry. Media personality and Producer Ray Cornelius served as moderator.
BronzeLens Expands 2026 Festival Programming
Building on the momentum of SuperStars Weekend, BronzeLens announced expanded festival dates for August 2026. The festival will now take place over two weekends: August 21–23 and August 27–30, 2026, offering an even broader slate of programming, screenings, and special events.
Signature events include:
· The BronzeLens Filmmakers Ball (Saturday, August 29): An immersive celebration transforming Atlanta’s City Hall into a vibrant hub for networking, music, dancing, and dining.
· Cinema and Social Justice Sunday: Hosted at the Tara Theatre, this powerful program honors Atlanta's legacy by spotlighting films and conversations centered on social justice, human rights, and civil rights.
· The BronzeLens Awards: Held at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College, the awards recognize the festival's top films across categories, including Narrative, Features, Documentaries, Shorts, Students, Music Videos, and acting honors.
About BronzeLens Film Festival
The BronzeLens Film Festival of Atlanta, Georgia, is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 with a mission to bring national and global attention to Atlanta as a premier hub for film and content creation by people of color. Through film screenings, workshops, and networking opportunities, BronzeLens is committed to cultivating the next generation of filmmakers.
The festival is also an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences qualifying festival for the Short Film Awards category with its Best Short Award winner eligible for consideration in the Academy's Short Subject competition.
For more information regarding the BronzeLens Film Festival, visit BronzeLens.com.