Black Zombie is a 2026 Canadian documentary film written and directed by Maya Annik Bedward.Courtney Small, "The Roots of Black Zombie". Point of View, April 26, 2026. The film profiles the roots of zombie mythology in Haitian Vodou, exploring the ways in which its evolution from a folkloric metaphor for slavery into a trope of horror and monster fiction have distorted and disrupted Black history.Chris Dart, "Zombies aren't what you think they are". CBC Arts, April 22, 2026.
The film premiered on March 13, 2026, at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival,Brian Tallerico, "SXSW 2026: Black Zombie, Serling, Stormbound". RogerEbert.com, March 16, 2026. and had its Canadian premiere on April 24 at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.
In June 2026, Kino Lorber acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.Nicholas Sokic, "Kino Lorber acquires U.S. rights to SXSW selection Black Zombie". Playback, June 8, 2026.
Reception Critical response
Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com wrote, "Bedward wisely avoids turning Black Zombie into a class lecture. She conducts what were clearly buoyant, informed interviews not just with experts on it but with those influenced by the culture, like, believe it or not, Slash."
Jessi Cape of The Austin Chronicle wrote, "Black Zombie demands you reconsider both the horrors humans are capable of and the untold beauty of the living and the dead. It's the rare documentary you want everyone you know to watch."Jessi Cape, "SXSW Film Review: Black Zombie". The Austin Chronicle, March 15, 2026.
Accolades At the 30th Fantasia International Film Festival, Bedward won the Northern Excellence Award for Canadian Filmmaking.Earl, William (July 25, 2026). "Fantasia International Film Festival Awards: Hanna Bergholm's 'Nightborn' Wins Top Honor". Variety. The film was shortlisted for the Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award at the Directors Guild of Canada awards in 2026.Connie Thiessen, "2026 DGC Awards film nominees led by ‘Ready or Not 2’". Broadcast Dialogue, September 29, 2026.
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