The 15th edition of BlackStar Film Festival starts in a few days, and it could not be more accessible for those in the industry and the general public alike to participate in the festivities. Consistently one of Philadelphia’s summer highlights, the festival returns to the city’s Avenue of the Arts district from August 6th-9th with 91 films representing over 30 countries. In addition to the films at BlackStar, the effort made to make as many people as possible feel included is striking. The opening night and closing night party? Both free. Want to attend a few talks or panels? Also free. And the films themselves are very reasonably-priced for both in-person and virtual individual passes. Many (not all) of the films are available online (for a fee) for those who can’t make it. Regardless of how you catch the film festival, you should add these five films to your list of what to see.
“West Side Familia“, the debut film of journalist Taylor Hosking, makes its world premiere on August 6th at the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater as BlackStar Film Festival’s Opening Night selection. The feature documentary explores the history and contributions of the Puerto Rican community on New York’s Upper West Side amidst forces of gentrification and displacement. “The Tropic Sun and His Eyes”, making its Philadelphia premiere, follows lead character Ruben back to his native Haiti to reconnect with his estranged father while being followed the entire way by a lonely street kid wanting a friend. Directed by Haitian-American filmmaker Elisee Junior St Preux, this film made its world premiere at the 25th annual Tribeca Festival this past June and won the award for Special Jury Mention, Best New Narrative Director. I saw this one at Tribeca, and can personally say that it is one of the most endearing films that you will see at a film festival.
“A Sad and Beautiful World”, from Lebanese director Cyril Aris, traces Nino and Yasmina’s love story across three decades as they attempt to build a happy life together in Lebanon as the country is continually ravaged by hardship. This feature film comes with high accolades, having won the Audience Award at the Venice Film Festival’s Giornate Degli Autori. It was also Lebanon’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards this past spring, and has won over 20 international awards. Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir brings us “Palestine ’36“, a narrative centering around lead character Yusuf and his navigation of the increasing unrest between the Palestinian population and its British colonial rulers in 1936. Paired with rising numbers of Jewish immigrants facing antisemitism in Europe, there is nothing that can follow other than volatility between all sides. It was shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature. “True North”, from director Michèle Stephenson, connects the movements of Black resistance in Canada, the Caribbean, and the U.S. by tying together their shared histories of colonialism and state oppression. Set in Montreal in the 1960s, the documentary brings to light the Congress of Black Writers and the Sir George Williams Affair — two underrecognized but important events that underscore Montreal’s position as an exceptional power in the global Black liberation movement.
BlackStar Projects was founded in 2012 by Maori Karmael Holmes as BlackStar Film Festival. The organization has expanded its initial mission of showcasing movies from Black filmmakers to including people from other communities of color. The organization also runs a film production lab, a filmmaker seminar, exhibitions, and “Seen”, a biannual journal of film, art, and visual culture.
What BlackStar does for film and culture is sorely needed in the current moment where so many in the United States are backing away from doing the important work of platforming the voices of the Global majority out of fear of retribution from the administration of a DEI-hating president. It takes courage for organizations to soldier on in a hostile social climate while sticking to their artistic and social visions, but the BlackStar team is willing to do just that.
The 2026 edition of the BlackStar Film Festival runs from August 6-9 in Philadelphia. Screenings vary by venue. For more, visit https://blackstarprojects.org/festival.
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