Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Susanne Rostock, the award-winning documentary offers an intimate look at the artist and civil rights leader’s final 12 years, his lifelong commitment to justice, and the generations he inspired.
Harry Belafonte spent much of his life using his voice, influence and platform to challenge injustice. In Following Harry, director Susanne Rostock revisits the legendary entertainer and civil rights leader through a deeply personal portrait of his final 12 years, tracing the connections between his public activism, private reflections and enduring hope for future generations.
The award-winning documentary arrives nationwide in the United States and Canada on October 13, 2026, through Amazon, Apple TV and other major video-on-demand platforms in the US, with Amazon and Apple TV confirmed for the Canadian release.
A Personal Portrait of an Artist and Activist
Rather than presenting Belafonte solely through the milestones of his celebrated career, Following Harry focuses on the convictions that continued to guide him later in life. The documentary follows his journey from the aftermath of Trayvon Martin’s death through the protests in Ferguson and the Women’s March, which was created in his office, alongside quieter conversations and personal moments at home.
These experiences reveal an artist whose commitment to social justice extended well beyond public appearances. For Belafonte, activism was not simply an extension of his fame; it was a responsibility shaped by the belief that every generation must find its own way to confront injustice.
The film captures his efforts to encourage younger entertainers and activists to carry that work forward, while leaving them the freedom to develop their own approaches to creating meaningful change.
A Legacy Shared Across Generations
The documentary features a wide range of artists, activists and voices influenced by Belafonte’s work, including Angela Davis, Aja Monet, Aloe Blacc, Chuck D, Rosario Dawson, Talib Kweli, Jamie Foxx, Jesse Williams, Kerry Kennedy and Gina Belafonte, among others.
Their perspectives help place Belafonte’s experiences within a broader conversation about the relationship between culture, public influence and social responsibility. The film considers how music, entertainment and activism can intersect, and how one person’s example can encourage others to take action.
At the center of the documentary is Belafonte’s own understanding of legacy. He believed that each generation must take responsibility for itself, while learning from those who came before. His reflections offer a challenge as much as an invitation: inherit the lessons that remain valuable, then find ways to do better.
Susanne Rostock Returns to a Powerful Subject
Rostock, the Emmy-nominated director of Sing Your Song, brings her experience documenting Belafonte’s life and activism to Following Harry. The film is produced by Frankie Nasso, Edward Zeng and Rostock, with executive producers Mimi Polk Gitlin, David Dinerstein, Pamela Belafonte and Jeff Kranzdorf. Irene Mu and Kimberly Olsen serve as co-executive producers.
Produced by NextG, SparkIce and Belafonte-Nasso-Zeng Productions, in co-production with MML, the documentary features cinematography by Martina Radwan and music composed by Hahn Rowe.
Its festival recognition includes official selections at the Tribeca Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival. The film has also received the Sidewalk Film Festival Jury Award, the BronzeLens Cinema & Social Justice Award and the Cleveland International Film Festival FilmSlam Award.
Where to Watch Following Harry
Following Harry is available nationwide on digital platforms in the United States and Canada beginning October 13, 2026.
Audiences can watch the official trailer and find further information through the film’s website at followingharry.org.
A new clip featuring Harry Belafonte and Kerry Kennedy is also available to view on YouTube.
Through archival material, intimate encounters and reflections from those who knew or were inspired by Belafonte, Following Harry offers more than a retrospective of a remarkable life. It is a reminder that the work of challenging injustice continues beyond any one individual—and that a legacy becomes meaningful when others choose to carry it forward.
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