News

The Guardian

Honoring filmmakers of color and focusing on community building

Jul 30, 2025

BlackStar Film Festival is ‘leaning into the moment’ with films defying genres and centering solidarity among groups.

Philly Inquirer

How to have a Perfect Philly Day, according to BlackStar founder Maori Karmael Holmes

BlackStar, in its 14th year, runs July 31-Aug. 3. Before Holmes’ schedule got taken over by the festival, we asked her what a perfect “unfettered Sunday” in Philly looks like for her.

A film still from Lazy White Cows shows the face of a Brazilian girl with red braids from the perspective of her phone. The power off symbol can be seen at the top of the still. Her hand can be seen reaching to turn off her phone.

Hyperallergic

BlackStar Festival Returns With 92 Films From Around the World

Asaph Luccas’s short “LWC (Lazy White Cows)” (2025), another highlight, tells the story of Ster, a young Black student at risk of being “cancelled” after she refers to a White classmate in disparaging terms.

A film still from Food for the Souls shows a young Black woman and man in an embrace sharing a gaze.

BLEX

Marcus Scribner, Karen Obilom Star in Chisom Chieke’s ‘Food for the Soul’ — World Premiere Set at BlackStar

Led by Karen Obilom and Marcus Scribner , the romantic dramedy follows Adanma Eze and her fiancé Trey Williams, a couple navigating the messy middle of love.

A black-and-white film still from Killer of Sheep shows a group of young Black boys walking past the side of a house.

Surface

Joyful, Tender, Defiant: BlackStar Film Festival Honors Cinema for Liberation

With the festival’s dizzying slate of screenings and programming now fully announced, Surface caught up with Maori Holmes to hear more about what this year’s edition has in store for attendees.

A film still from Las Cosas Que Brillan shows a black frame around a staged scene. Inside the frame is a woman dressed as a mermaid, with a yellow tail and top, sleeping on a faux rock. Standing above her is a man dressed as a soldier, wearing dirty armor with a grimy face, gazing down at her. They are positioned within a theatrical set designed to mimic an ocean scene with a series of waves behind them.

Philadelphia Gay News

Queer Films Take Center Stage at BlackStar

This year’s festival features a selection of docs, features and shorts by queer filmmakers that depict LGBTQ+ life. Here is a rundown of what to watch from this year’s program.

A film still from BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions shows a woman standing in a room illuminated by red lights. There is a thick dark ink that goes from the bottom of her lip to her chin. Her hands are stacked on top of each other palm up in front of her. She is wearing a plaid suit.

Press Release

Full Schedule of Programs Released for 2025 Film Festival

Highlights include a special screening of Kahlil Joseph’s BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions and the 4K restoration of Charles Burnett’s Killer of Sheep, with both filmmakers expected in-person for Spotlight Conversations.