​Award-Winning Becoming Taylor Continues Festival Run With Two IBFF Nominations and Same-Day Screenings in Nashville and San Antonio

Dallas filmmaker Rahim Handy’s documentary short earns Best Short Documentary and Best Inspirational Film nominations at the International Black Film Festival following award wins in Miami and Detroit.

DALLAS, TEXAS — October 5, 2026 — Becoming Taylor, the award-winning documentary short directed by Dallas filmmaker Rahim Handy, continued its 2026 festival run with simultaneous screenings at two Black film festivals on Saturday, October 3: the International Black Film Festival (IBFF) in Nashville, Tennessee, and the San Antonio Black International Film Festival (SABIFF) in San Antonio, Texas.

At the International Black Film Festival, Becoming Taylor received nominations for Best Short Documentary and Best Inspirational Film, adding another milestone to a festival run that has already earned the film two juried awards.

The Nashville screening marked the film’s Tennessee Premiere, while its SABIFF appearance marked its San Antonio Premiere.

Becoming Taylor follows 16-year-old Taylor Jackson, whose childhood was shaped by separation from her mother and her mother’s 22-year struggle with addiction. Through boxing, mentorship, family support, and community, Taylor begins transforming anger and childhood pain into discipline, confidence, and a different vision for her future.

The film blends intimate interviews with observational cinéma vérité and explores identity, resilience, maternal reconciliation, and the transformative power of mentorship.

“This film was never really about boxing,” said Handy. “It is about what happens when a young person is seen, supported, mentored, and given access to positive spaces. Taylor’s story shows how exposure, community, and opportunity can change the way a young person sees their future.”

The documentary features two-time Olympic gold medalist and undisputed world champion Claressa Shields, world champion boxer and coach Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf, and Candace Fleming, founder of Families of Conviction, whose Super Seeds youth mentorship program helped create opportunities and experiences for Taylor and other young people.

A Growing 2026 Festival Run

Becoming Taylor had its World Premiere at the Oak Cliff Film Festival in Dallas before expanding to festivals across the country.

At the Urban Film Festival in Miami, the film won Best Documentary Short.

At the Detroit Black Film Festival, it received the Inspirational Film Award.

Its October 3 screenings extended the film’s run to Nashville and San Antonio, with the International Black Film Festival nominating the documentary for both Best Short Documentary and Best Inspirational Film.

The film’s 2026 festival journey now includes:

• Oak Cliff Film Festival — World Premiere

• Urban Film Festival — Best Documentary Short

• Detroit Black Film Festival — Inspirational Film Award

• International Black Film Festival — Tennessee Premiere; Nominee, Best Short Documentary and Best Inspirational Film

• San Antonio Black International Film Festival — San Antonio Premiere

Nashville and San Antonio on the Same Day

In Nashville, Handy attended the International Black Film Festival and represented the film during its Tennessee Premiere.

In San Antonio, Taylor Jackson, her mother Taraney “KoKo” Black, and Candace Fleming represented Becoming Taylor at SABIFF, allowing the film’s central participants and mentorship community to share the experience with a second audience on the same day.

The dual screenings reflected the growing reach of a film that began as Handy’s first-year documentary work in the University of North Texas MFA program in Documentary Production and Studies.

About the Filmmaker

Rahim Handy is a Dallas-based documentary filmmaker, producer, director, and cinematographer whose work explores identity, family, community, and social impact through character-driven storytelling.

He is the founder of Clear Motion Films and an MFA student in Documentary Production and Studies at the University of North Texas. His work has been recognized with Telly, Clio, ADDY, and REMI Awards and has screened at film festivals across the United States.

Film Information

Title: Becoming Taylor
Director/Producer: Rahim Handy
Runtime: 11 minutes, 21 seconds
Genre: Documentary Short
Year: 2026
Production Company: Clear Motion Films

Trailer:
https://vimeo.com/1186813840

Film Website:
https://www.clearmotionfilms.com/becomingtaylor

International Black Film Festival Page:
https://www.ibffevents.com/becomingtaylor

Media Contact:
Rahim Handy
Clear Motion Films
rahim@clearmotionfilms.com
310-908-5811