KHEM FEST 2025: Celebrating Black Animation, Gaming, and Afrofuturism with STEAM Innovation

Founded in 2015 by comic book creator and veteran educator Naseed Gifted, KHEM FEST has become one of the nation’s premier festivals celebrating Black creativity in animation, gaming, and comic books. Rooted in Afrofuturism and community impact, the Newark-based festival fuses entertainment with education, showing how art and storytelling can ignite opportunities in S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

The festival’s name, Khem, draws from Ancient Egypt (previously called Khemet), where Khemet meant “Black land,” and hieroglyphics—thousands of years before modern comics—served as the earliest form of visual storytelling. Staying true to this legacy, KHEM FEST connects history, culture, and technology to inspire the next generation of innovators.

“We are not just entertaining; we’re empowering the next generation of storytellers and innovators,” says Festival Director Naseed Gifted. “KHEM FEST is where Afrofuturism comes alive—demonstrating that our narratives drive technological advancement and cultural evolution.”

Over the past decade, the festival has grown into a vibrant hub for filmmakers, comic creators, gamers, and fans worldwide. Beyond showcasing cutting-edge art and entertainment, it also provides scholarships, STEAM-centered programming, and mentorship opportunities for minority students.

This year’s 11th Annual KHEM FEST takes place September 25th–27th, 2025, with its crown jewel event—the Wakanda Ball: A Night of Cosmic Elegance—set for Friday, September 26th at The Temple of Hip Hop in Newark, NJ. Guests will step into an Afrofuturistic dreamscape complete with:

• The Future is Black Fashion Show – Avant-garde designs blending African heritage with sci-fi aesthetics.
• Silent Art Auction – Featuring original works from acclaimed Black visual artists.
  Electrifying Performances – With DJ Fauzi and a live show by LMNOP.
• Cosmic Cocktails & Cultural Elegance – A sensory journey through music, art, and imagination.

The Wakanda Ball, powered by the Black Star Creative Collective and The Temple of Hip Hop, raises funds for the KHEM FEST STEAM Initiatives and the KAFF Animation Film Scholarship Fund, furthering the festival’s mission to empower youth through creativity and education.

Lead Programming Curator JoJo Abenaavi Wright adds:

“Representation isn’t just on the screen; it’s in the code, the storyboards, the engineering labs, and the director’s chair. KHEM FEST dismantles barriers by making STEAM accessible, exciting, and culturally relevant. We’re showing Black youth that their imaginations are the blueprint for the future.”

From its beginnings with the flagship comic P.B. Soldier (now Blacklisted), KHEM FEST has evolved into a cultural powerhouse where Black stories, innovation, and empowerment converge. With Afrofuturism as its backdrop and STEAM as its foundation, the festival proves that when imagination and education meet, the future is limitless.

Event Info & Tickets: www.khemfest.com
Follow on Instagram: @khemfest