Once Upon a Time in Harlem (2026)

Name: Once Upon a Time in Harlem
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2026-10-16
Duration: 100 min
Cast: Aaron Douglas, Richard Bruce Nugent, Ernest Crichlow, Eubie Blake, Leigh Whipper

A film over 50 years in the making.

Released 16 October 2026
Runtime 1h 40m
Director William Greaves
Genres Documentary

Synopsis

A decade after his death, genre-defying filmmaker William Greaves has one last trick up his sleeve with what he considered the most important event he captured on film: a 1972 party he engineered with the living luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance.

Cast

Aaron Douglas as Self (archival footage)
Richard Bruce Nugent as Self (archival footage)
Ernest Crichlow as Self (archival footage)
Eubie Blake as Self (archival footage)
Leigh Whipper as Self (archival footage)
Arna Bontemps as Self (archival footage)
William Greaves as Self (archival footage)
James Van Der Zee as Self (archival footage)
Ida Mae Cullen as Self (archival footage)
Noble Sissle as Self (archival footage)
Romare Bearden as Self (archival footage)

Crew

William Greaves Director
David Greaves Director
Lynn True Editor
Anne de Mare Editor
Tamar-kali Original Music Composer
Liani Greaves Producer
Anne de Mare Producer
Matthew J. Hoffman Producer
Bella Racklin Producer

News about Once Upon a Time in Harlem

Indie Memphis Announces 2026 Festival Lineup, Including ‘Once Upon a Time in Harlem’ and ‘The Man I Love’

The Tennessee film festival returns for its 28th edition this November.

1 Oct 2026 · IndieWire

IDFA Adds 100+ Titles To 2026 Lineup: Oscar Contenders ‘14th,’ ‘Closure’, ‘Once Upon A Time In Harlem’ & More

The lineup for the 2026 International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) is taking shape, with the announcement Tuesday of more than 100 titles joining the…

29 Sep 2026 · Deadline - Film