The Tribeca Film Festival is an Oscar-qualifying film festival that showcases both feature and short films from a variety of genres. It is considered an Academy Award qualifying festival, meaning films that win specific awards there can be submitted for consideration in the 98th Academy Awards. Specifically, films that win awards between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, are eligible for consideration for the 2026 Oscars.
If “Songs of Black Folk” wins a qualifying award at the festival, it will be eligible to be submitted for consideration for an Oscar nomination in the Documentary Short Film category. – Hurrah!
1) Ramón Bryant Braxton, Artistic Director & Conductor for the annual concert series “Songs of Black Folk” held at The Paramount Theatre in Seattle that celebrates Juneteenth and highlights themes of Black freedom, faith, and culture. 2) Juneteenth is the federal holiday celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.
This film might not take your mind off the news hullabaloo about Trump & Musk but it can incite you to rise up out of your seats and … [fill in the blanks.]
Ramón Bryant Braxton,
A native of Tacoma, Braxton is recognized as a sage regarding the traditions of the Black Church and the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) experience. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College in Atlanta, studying under Dr. Uzee Brown, and his Master of Music from Morgan State University in Baltimore, where he studied under the late Dr. Nathan M. Carter. He is a multifaceted artist — composer, orchestra conductor, choir director, vocalist, pianis, and organist.
His career includes leading musical staffs at prominent African American churches such as Abyssinia Baptist Church in Harlem, Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, and First Shiloh Baptist Church in Buffalo. He has also performed with Baltimore’s Soulful Symphony, a full orchestra and choir composed exclusively of elite African American and Latinx musicians.
Additionally, Braxton has held academic positions, including serving as a vocal instructor at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., and as the Assistant Director of the Howard University Choir.
In Seattle, Braxton continues to contribute to the city’s vibrant musical community, particularly through his leadership in Songs of Black Folk, which brings together notable African American musical artists from across the United States to celebrate and honor Black culture and history.
Directors’ Statement: Haley Watson, Justin Emeka
Songs of Black Folk is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and cultural richness of Black artists in the Pacific Northwest. At its heart is the annual music program that brings together the largest gathering of Black musical talent on a single stage in the region, a powerful celebration of Juneteenth and the spirit of community it embodies.
Through the lens of musical director Ramón Bryant Braxton, we follow a deeply personal journey. Tasked with creating a Juneteenth musical celebration, Ramón weaves together the legacy of his ancestors, including the untold story of his grandmother, with the voices of contemporary Black artists. His story is one of determination and reverence, a reflection of the collective experience of honoring the past while forging a path forward.
As Ramón so poignantly states, “I want these artists and audiences to be able to walk with their heads held high.” This vision resonates throughout the film, which not only highlights the extraordinary talent of these musicians but also underscores the transformative power of music, faith, and community.
Songs of Black Folk seeks to celebrate an often-overlooked community, reminding audiences of the vital role music plays in healing, uniting, and uplifting. By sharing this story, we aim to honor history, inspire pride, and ignite a deeper understanding of the enduring impact of Black artistry.
About the Directors
Haley Watson (director and producer) is known for films exploring human experience. Her storytelling prowess was exemplified when she pitched the original story for the Oscar-winner “The Queen of Basketball.” Watson’s journey to directing was through the camera department and includes recognition from AFI and ASC. In June 2024 she debuted the short documentary she directed, “Motorcycle Mary,” at Tribeca Film Festival.The film was executive produced by Lewis Hamilton and double Academy Award winningBreakwater Studios. The film was acquired by ESPN’s 30 for 30 series. She now Premiers “Songs of Black Folk” for her second consecutive world premiere at Tribeca.
Justin Emeka (director) is an award-winning filmmaker from the Pacific Northwest with over 25 years of experience as a theater director. He is especially known for blending classical works with Black cultural expression. In 2022, he received a prestigious TV/Film Directing Fellowship from the Drama League of New York, expanding his creative vision into screen storytelling. His first two original short films, BIOLOGICAL and Six Winters Gone Still, have screened at festivals around the world, earning acclaim for their poetic visual language and emotional depth. Emeka brings a unique voice shaped by his background in theater, Capoeira Angola, and a lifelong commitment to telling stories that center Black resilience and beauty. He is a member of the Executive Board for the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC). Emeka is also a tenured professor of Theater and Africana Studies at Oberlin College, where he teaches directing, acting, and Capoeira.
World Premiere Screenings at 2025 Tribeca Festival Saturday, June 7 at 2:30 p.m. Shorts Theater at Spring Studios
Friday, June 13 at 9 p.m. Shorts Theater at Spring Studios
Sunday, June 15 at 3:15 p.m. AMC 19th St. East 6
This film is included in Shorts: Embrace the Music alongside 4 other works. Click below for full program and details:
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Runtime, 26 minutes
Key Film Credits
Featuring: Ramón Bryant Braxton, Rev. Dr. Leslie Bratxon
Directed by: Justin Emeka, Haley Watson
Producer: Haley Watson
Co Producer: Khari Johnson
Executive Producers: Micheal Beartly, Joseph Todd
Edited by: David Faddis
Conductor & Composer of Songs of Black Folk Live: Ramón Bryant Braxton
Cinematography by: Haley Watson
Sound Supervisor & Re-Recording mixer: Sean Higgins
Color by: Jacob Fisher
Original Score by: Katya Richardson