BlackStar Film Festival Celebrates Cinema for Liberation from July 31 to August 3

BlackStar Projects has officially released the full schedule for the 2025 BlackStar Film Festival, set to occur from July 31 to August 3 in Philadelphia, with options for global online streaming. This year’s festival promises an impressive lineup of over 90 films from 40 countries, showcasing diverse voices and stories that reflect the vitality of independent cinema from the global majority.

The festival kicks off with the world premiere of “TCB – The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing,” directed by Louis Massiah and Monica Henriquez. This documentary offers an in-depth exploration of Toni Cade Bambara’s impact on cultural and political movements, featuring interviews with notable figures like Toni Morrison and Haile Gerima. The closing night will feature the North American premiere of Jenn Nkiru’s “The Great North,” a film intertwining new and archival footage to delve into the relationship between architecture and the human body against the backdrop of Manchester’s industrial history.

Special screenings include “BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions” by Khalil Joseph, a cinematic piece that mirrors a musical album with a distinctive soundscape and guest artists, as well as “All That’s Left of You” by Cherien Dabis, which tells the story of a Palestinian family’s resilience amidst political turmoil.

Apart from film screenings, the festival offers a platform for dialogue and exchange with appearances by influential guests like Cauleen Smith, Letitia Wright, Kevin Jerome Everson, Meg Onli, and Charles Burnett. Burnett will engage in a conversation with David Hartt following a retrospective screening of his restored classic “Killer of Sheep.”

Attendees can purchase tickets and explore event details at blackstarfest.org/festival, paving the way for an enriching experience of cinema and conversation. To access the complete program and additional festival information, visit the official BlackStar Film Festival website.