10th Hip Hop Film Festival Storms Harlem with Three-Day Master Cyphers

Master Cyphers will return to Harlem in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Hip Hop Film Festival. This three-day event brings high-energy, TED Talk–style conversations designed to mentor independent filmmakers and creators. Sessions cover a wide spectrum, from film business planning to creative movements like Afrofuturism. Attendees gain access to insider perspectives that remain out of reach for many emerging storytellers.

The series runs August 21–23 at Harlem Film House headquarters. Each session lasts 60 minutes, with a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute audience Q&A. Award-winning alumni and cutting-edge innovators share firsthand insights and real-world experience you won’t find in traditional manuals.

“The Master Cyphers offer a front-row seat to the real-world experiences of creators who are changing the game. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker, an emerging storyteller, or a curious fan of hip hop and cinema — this is where knowledge drops, minds open, and creativity levels up,” said CR Capers, founder of the Hip Hop Film Festival.

CR Capers points out that the event carries forward hip hop’s founding principle of telling authentic stories from communities often ignored by mainstream media. He adds that the festival exists to equip fellow filmmakers with practical guidance drawn from his own journey, empowering them to refine their work and amplify their voices for years ahead.

Daily gatherings fill three screening rooms, and evenings end with immersive keynote presentations, networking mixers, complimentary food, and open bars.

Opening Day — Thursday, August 21 (4 p.m. – 9 p.m.)