Press Room | BlackStar

For press inquiries, contact ALMA: hannah@almacommunications.co

For other questions, please contact our Chief Communications Officer, Imran Siddiquee, imran@blackstarfest.org.

2025 Film Festival Press Packet

Press Room

A photo of a several copies of Seen issue 009 laid out on a table.

(Press Release)

Nov 11, 2025

Now On Sale: BlackStar Projects’ Seen Issue 009

This edition is about seeing what is not yet imagined. It features a profile on Love, Brooklyn lead actor André Holland, as well as writing from Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Maya S. Cade, Jenny Yang, Yance Ford, Sanford Biggers, Darol Olu Kae and more.

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Melanie Charles performs a song at the 2024 BlackStar Luminary Gala.

(Press Release)

Sep 9, 2025

BlackStar Projects Announces 2025 Luminary Gala

Honoring Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Meshell Ndegeocello, Robert Townsend and Third World Newsreel

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(Press Release)

Aug 4, 2025

BlackStar Film Festival Announces 2025 Jury and Audience Award Winners

Winners were announced at the annual Director’s Brunch and Awards Ceremony, celebrating all of the festival’s directors.

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(Press Release)

Jul 1, 2025

BlackStar Projects Releases Full Schedule of Programs for 2025 Film Festival

BlackStar announces the full schedule of programs, jury and award nominees for the 2025 BlackStar Film Festival.

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(Press Release)

Jun 3, 2025

BlackStar Film Festival Announces 2025 Film Lineup

The 2025 BlackStar Film Festival is set to feature a total of 92 films representing 35 countries, including the world premiere of Louis Massiah and Monica Henriquez’s TCB - The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing and the North American premiere of Jenn Nkiru’s The Great North.

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A photo taken over the shoulder of an artists with brown curly hair painting a canvas while holding a cup of bright green paint.

(Press Release)

Feb 24, 2025

BlackStar Projects Presents Joiri Minaya: Venus Flytrap

Bartram’s Garden | 5400 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia
On View May 29-June 1, 2025

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In The News

A year of art in Philadelphia: “BlackStar remains one of the most essential cultural touchstones in Philadelphia”

Document

BlackStar Head Maori Karmael Holmes On The Festival’s Record 2025 Edition & Upcoming 15th Anniversary: “It’s Been A Real Privilege And Blessing”

Deadline

BlackStar 2025: Hallowed Ground

International Documentary Association

New mural celebrating films set and shot in Philly features these 11 movies

Philly Voice

BlackStar Film Festival: MOVE YA BODY: THE BIRTH OF HOUSE celebrates Black Queer history

Moviejawn

Letitia Wright’s Directorial Debut Honors the Lives of Black Boys at BlackStar Film Festival

EBONY

50 Film Festival Worth the Entry Fee

MovieMaker

Art and Resilience Aligned at This Year’s BlackStar Film Festival

Hyperallergic

Love, Brooklyn’ is a Romance for a Borough in Flux

Brooklyn Mag

Out Of Africa: Three African Films Clinch Awards At 2025 Blackstar Film Festival

The British Blacklist

What Sun Ra’s Fashion And Music Tells Us About Black Radicalism

Essence

Here’s your guide to the 2025 BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia

NBC Philadelphia