Hayti Heritage Film Festival: Durham Stay-and-Play Guide
If you're passionate about telling Black stories through film, you can do it here in Durham. The Hayti Heritage Film Festival has a mission to create and support a Black film ecosystem in the South.
The Hayti Heritage Film Festival is one of the longest-running Black Southern film festivals in the nation. The annual festival takes place each year in March, and year-round screenings and workshop keep the conversation going. Through film, the festival connects Black people to ancestral homelands in the South, creating a sense of place and a means to preserve and tell stories. It also provides a platform for Black filmmakers who may be overlooked and denied opportunities for film distribution.
Festival Details
Attending the Hayti Heritage Film Festival gives you the chance to immerse yourself in the world of Black filmmaking. Get all access to films, workshops and networking with filmmakers and industry professionals.
When: March 4-7, 2026
Where: Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St.
All Access Passes: $85
Friday Access Passes: $30
Saturday Access Passes: $30
Become a member of the Donors Circle and receive perks and access to the festival.
Festival Highlights
View the full schedule here, where you can read synopses of the more than 15 featured short and full-length films that will be screened at the festival. This year's films focus on "themes of memory, migration, and Black futurism" that are sure to inspire both cinephiles and typical movie-goers alike.
In addition to screenings, attend post-screening discussions, artist talks, tributes and more.
Where to Stay
Make the most of your time when you’re not attending screenings and workshops by staying in or near downtown. Two local hotels have partnered with the festival over the years so that you can stay with other attendees –
Springhill Suites Durham City View, 705 S. Mangum St.
Enjoy convenience to the festival and downtown, as well as plenty of space and modern amenities at an affordable price.
Unscripted Durham, 202 Corcoran St.
Stay in the heart of it all at Unscripted on CCB Plaza. After the festival, take the party back to The Studio, Unscripted’s lobby bar and lounge.
Search our full database of hotels and accommodations to find your perfect fit.
Dining in Durham
While you’re here, take the opportunity to find out what makes Durham’s dining scene so iconic by checking out spots near the Hayti Heritage Center for a quick bite or by booking a reservation for a leisurely dinner after a screening. Hayti Heritage Center is just minutes from downtown, but there are some can’t-miss spots along Fayetteville St. as well.
Restaurants Near Hayti Heritage Center
Nzinga’s Kitchen, 826 Fayetteville St. #110
Across the street from Hayti you’ll find a number of locally-owned restaurants in the same shopping center. Nzinga’s Kitchen is a popular spot for a casual breakfast, brunch, lunch or early dinner. Start your day with biscuits or chicken and French toast or stop in for Creole staples like shrimp & grits or po’ boys.
The Chicken Hut, 3019 Fayetteville St.
Take a ride south on Fayetteville Street through the campus of North Carolina Central University to find this historic Durham restaurant serving home cooked fried chicken and classic sides like mac and cheese, yams and collard greens. Daily specials like fried seafood, baked spaghetti, meatloaf and more are also available.
Mezcalito, 706 Ramseur St.
Take Fayetteville Street north across the Durham Freeway to find a hub of restaurants on the corner of Ramseur Street, including Mezcalito, home of oversize margaritas and modern and traditional Mexican fare. Open for lunch and dinner, plus late night on weekends, you can come here to fill up on burritos, share chips and guac and a bowl, or have a party complete with drums and singing.
Ponysaurus Brewing Company, 219 Hood St.
Also on the corner of Fayetteville and Ramseur streets, the expansive lawn and two-floor deck at Ponysaurus Brewing Company is hard to miss. Consider this a great spot to relax and socialize with a beer and order pizza, garlic knots and salad from the on-site pizzeria.
Other options in this area include the new East Durham location of Dame's Chicken and Waffles, a beloved Bull City brunch spot. Load up on crispy chicken, fluffy waffles and, of course, Dame's signature shmears. Right next door to Dame's, you will find Proximity Brewing, where you can taste delicious craft brews made right here in Durham. Head here after the festival to discuss the films with friends.
Explore More of Durham’s Dining & Bar Scene
Find Things to Do in Durham
Whether you're looking for something fun to do or interested in learning even more about Durham's Black history, there's plenty of ways to occupy yourself in Durham outside of the film screenings. Take a tour of NCCU, Durham's esteemed HBCU, or learn more about the historic neighborhood the Hayti Heritage Center resides in. Find a live music performance to attend visit an art museum. The options are endless, all you need to do is choose.
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