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By Indie Means Necessary

The BlackStar Film Festival is an annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the African diaspora and of global communities of color, showcasing films by black, brown and indigenous people from around the world.

Twitter

@BlackStarFest - 29 mins

RT @mediamobilizing: Of the incredible list @BlackStarFest screenings this year, we would like to highlight #FreedomFields and #WarriorWome…

@BlackStarFest - 29 mins

RT @phlwomensfilm: Join us in celebrating BlackStar's ( @BlackStarFest ) 8th annual festival being held next month: August 1-4th. Passes on…

Instagram

  • At #BSFF19 get a sneak preview of “Hip-Hop: The Songs That Shook America,” a new documentary series from executive producers @questlove, @blackthought, Shawn Gee, and Alex Gibney. ————————————————————- 🎞 Synopsis: Each episode focuses on a groundbreaking song pivotal to the evolution of American music and culture. Artists deconstruct their composition, revisit the impact the song had on them personally, and dissect the socio-economic and cultural conditions that inspired the landmark work and gave voice to a generation. ————————————————————- 📅 Screens: Fri • Aug. 2 • 7:00 PM 📍@annenbergcenter 🎫 FREE RSVP: blackstarfest.org/hip-hop/
  • In anticipation of #BSFF19 we’re taking a look back at some of the talented alumni who’ve screened with us with this photo series shot by @365Ken at #BSFF18.⠀ ⠀ Over the past year, alumni and collaborators of the festival have accomplished many exciting milestones, created new works and played a role in creating systemic change in the independent and Hollywood film realms. ⠀ ⠀ Nefertite Nguvu (@hollywdafricans) directed a new short documentary about Newark’s cultural history and tackled a new medium, television. She also directed an episode of the @BET series #BetTales that will air on August 27, 2019.
  • #BSFF19’s Opening Night film will be @missnuma’s JEZEBEL! Swipe to see the trailer and visit blackstarfest.org/schedule to book your tickets. Click the link in our bio @blackstarfest to purchase an all-access pass! ————————————————————- 🎞 Synopsis: In the last days of her mother’s life, 19 year old Tiffany crashes with five family members in a Las Vegas studio apartment. In order to make ends meet, her older sister, a phone sex operator, introduces her to the world of internet fetish cam girls. ————————————————————- 📅 Screens: Thu • Aug. 1 • 8:00 PM 📍@lightboxfilmcenter
  • In anticipation of #BSFF19 we’re taking a look back at some of the talented alumni who’ve screened with us with this photo series shot by @365Ken at #BSFF18.⠀ ⠀ Over the past year, alumni and collaborators of the festival have accomplished many exciting milestones, created new works and played a role in creating systemic change in the independent and Hollywood film realms. ⠀ ⠀ Roni Nicole Henderson (@movingpicshow), is a veteran filmmaker who has screened in almost every BlackStar Film Festival since 2012, and was featured in 2017’s Lossless special exhibition at @lpgallery. ⠀ ⠀ Roni’s new short, And The People Could Fly (@atpcfly) is beginning its festival run, starting at #BSFF19! She’s hard at work finishing her feature script, GRACE and raising awesome humans. ⠀ ⠀ Cedric Umoja (@umojaizm) completed his first short performance film, 10 Toes Down as a part of an Indie Grits Labs Rural Artist Fellowship and is currently preparing for an upcoming solo exhibition at Converse College. He is also working hard at surprising his super nosey partner with a marriage proposal.⠀ ⠀ The couple also debuted their interactive performance “Black Love is Revolutionary” at @timecamp002.
  • Join us for the BlackStar Film Festival Opening Night Party. Mingle with filmmakers, artists, special guests, cinéastes, and community supporters for a special evening kicking off the 8th Annual Festival.⠀ ⠀ Music will be provided by DJs @matthewlawofficial, #TailwindTurner, @lildave215, and @the_aura_sphere. The evening will be hosted by @ceeceepennystunt.⠀ ——————————————————————⠀ 🎫 Admission is free but RSVP is required by July 31 at 11:59pm EST. Visit our Facebook page or BlackStarfest.org to register. Please note that registration doesn't guarantee admission, which is permitted on a space-available basis. ⠀ ——————————————————————⠀ The 2019 BlackStar Opening Night Reception is sponsored by @colorofchange @opensocietyfoundations @firelight_media
  • In anticipation of #BSFF19 we’re taking a look back at some of the talented alumni who’ve screened with us with this photo series shot by @365Ken at #BSFF18. Over the past year, alumni and collaborators of the festival have accomplished many exciting milestones, created new works and played a role in creating systemic change in the independent and Hollywood film realms. Mariama Diallo (@diallogiallo), Hair Wolf (Director), was selected as one of @FilmIndependent’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. Hair Wolf, her 12-minute short film, made its television premiere on HBO. #RandomActsofFlyness, of which Mariama is a director and writer, won a Peabody Award. She is currently working with Animal Kingdom on her first feature film.
  • Have you purchased your #BSFF19 all-access pass yet? Don’t miss a moment, get yours now at the link in our bio @blackstarfest Pass holder benefits include: 🌟 Priority seating at all screenings 🌟 Priority entry to all parties, panels, and workshops 🌟 Official 2019 Festival Poster 🌟 Priority Admission to Opening Night Reception 🌟 Includes admission to Scribe Video Center Master Class 🌟 Includes admission to BlackStar Pitch Session 🌟 Includes admission to Closing Night Film & Awards Reception
  • More exciting news about this year’s programming lineup! We will commemorate the 30th anniversary of @officialspikelee’s groundbreaking film #DoTheRightThing, with an appearance by the Academy Award winning filmmaker, and activist and #MeToo founder @taranajaneen. The pair will discuss the how storytelling can become a pathway leading to social justice and change, a topic that is clearly defined in many of Lee’s projects, but arguably none more than the 1989 hit. The panel is presented in collaboration with @colorofchange and @opensocietyfoundations. ____________________________________________ 📅 Saturday, Aug 3. 2pm 📍 @annenbergcenter Registration will open soon! Visit blackstarfest.org