Here’s everything you need to know before attending BlackStar Film Festival in Philly
“[The festival] is bringing talented folks from all around the world to Philly to be a part of this community.”
BlackStar Film Festival returns for its 12th year, putting Black,brown, and Indigenous artists center stage in Center City, from Aug. 2 to Aug. 6.
The signature event of the nonprofit Blackstar Projects, the film festival is an annual celebration of the “visual and storytelling traditions of the African diaspora and global communities of color,” said Imran Siddiquee, filmmaker and BlackStar’s chief communications officer.
This year, the BlackStar Film Festival features over 90 films representing over 30 countries, along with panels, live podcast tapings, and parties.
The films will screen across three Center City venues: the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center, the Lightbox Film Center, and the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.
Travel through time to witness the enduring influence of Nikki Giovanni, one of America’s greatest living poets, in the Philly premiere of Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project; follow a dynamic mother-daughter relationship in the feature narrative film Girl; and uncover the little-known stories of Black astronauts in the feature documentary The Space Race.
Find panels like “Black Queer Futures” and a live taping of the “Well-Read Black Girl” podcast at “The Daily Jawn” stage at the plaza at the Kimmel Center. You can also attend parties at Cherry Street Pier and Morgan’s Pier, plus mixers at the W Philadelphia and the Barnes Foundation.
As an indie film festival, BlackStar stands in solidarity with the SGA and WGA strikes. The organization’s 2024 Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab, where local filmmakers attend a yearlong program to create short films in the city, is on pause.
“With the lens of social justice — the connection between film and visual art and making the world more liberated, free — [the festival] is bringing talented folks from all around the world to Philly to be a part of this community,” Siddiquee said. “I think if you haven’t been to the festival yet, you’ll be really kind of amazed by the quality of work that’s been made by folks you’ve maybe not heard of yet — that’s what makes it so special.”
To help you make the most of the five-day event, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the festival.
📅 Schedule
Doors open at 10 a.m. Aug. 2. A conversation with director Violeta Ayala of La Lucha interviewed by actor, writer, and comedian D’Lo on “The Daily Jawn Stage” at 10:30 a.m. kicks off the festival , followed by the first film screening, Conversations with Ruth de Souza, at the Perelman Theater. The five-day festival concludes with a party at Morgan’s Pier on Aug. 6 at 9 p.m.
The Inquirer features team is looking forward to seeing a variety of films at the festival.
🎞️ How to fest
There are two ways to enjoy the festival: in person or virtually.
Get the all-access pass for $350 to attend all the screenings and events, in-person and virtually, along with discounted admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and exclusive invites to parties and mixers, and 40% off Indego bikes for August.
Pick up passes any day of the festival between 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the BlackStar Box Office at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre — be sure to have your QR code ready, which you can find online by clicking “show barcode.”
The virtual pass for $175 gives you access to all virtual events and film screenings. Passholders can unlock the film within 48 hours of its release to be watched within 24 hours of unlocking.
Individual tickets are $7.50 for virtual and $18 for in-person screenings. There are discounts for purchases of 10 or more passes — email tickets@blackstarfest.org. In-person events, parties, panels, live podcast recordings, and conversations at “The Daily Jawn” or the Kimmel Center plaza are free. Reservations are encouraged and can booked online.
♿ Accessibility
This year, the festival put a lot of focus on ensuring the events are accessible to all attendees. Copies of the accessibility guide will be at the box office and BlackStar info tables at the plaza at the Kimmel Center. Here’s what to know:
Masks are required indoors throughout the festival. They will be provided.
Find wheelchair-accessible entrances at the Kimmel Center’s east (Broad Street) and north (Spruce Street) entrances, Suzanne Roberts Theatre main doors (sidewalk level with no steps), and the Pine Street entrance of the Lightbox Film Center (there is a ramp outside and a wheelchair lift inside; the theater is accessible via elevator). There is wheelchair-accessible seating at all three venues, plus limited seats near the stage reserved for attendees with low vision or blindness at the Perelman Theater and the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.
The lactation room in the Suzanne Roberts Theatre is on the first floor in the block of green rooms. It includes a private restroom and a door with a lock.
There is a sensory-friendly room available during festival operating hours, located in the Rendell Room on the second floor of the Kimmel Center. The room includes soft seating, yoga mats, low lighting, and a number of low-sensory self-guided activities, which guests are encouraged to use to decompress from the bustle of the festival.
There will be audio descriptions via listening devices for select films, plus ASL interpretations for all panels, and post-film Q&As. Many films have open captioning/subtitles on screen. Almost all films being shown virtually will have closed captioning.
🍽️ What to eat
French Toast Bites, a Black-owned concession stand known for its French toast and bacon on a stick, will be at the Cherry Street Pier for the opening night party. Other food and drinks at the venue will be available for purchase.
At the “First Friday” mixer, in partnership with the BlackStar Film Festival, the Barnes Foundation will have snacks and drinks available for purchase. Morgan’s Pier kitchen will be open for orders until 10 p.m. for the closing night party.
For more dining choices, check out The Inquirer’s guide to restaurants near the Kimmel Center.
🚇 How to get there: SEPTA and parking
With centrally-located venues on Broad Street, getting to the festival is easy.
Kimmel Center: Hop on Routes 4, 27, and 32 along Broad Street. Route 12 runs east and west along Locust and Walnut streets. Other options include Routes 9, 21, and 42, which are handicapped accessible. The Broad Street Subway’s Walnut-Locust Station is located two blocks from the Kimmel Center. Those on the Market-Frankford Line should make a free transfer to the Broad Street Line at the 15th & Market stop.
Lightbox Film Center: Take Routes 4, 27, and 32 along Broad Street. All three routes are wheelchair accessible. The Broad Street Line’s Lombard-South Station is just one block north. If you’re on the Market-Frankford line or on trolley routes, make the free transfer to the Broad Street Line at the 15th Street Station.
Suzanne Roberts Theatre: Get to the theater with Route 40 (Lombard-Conshohocken) bus, Broad Street Line Subway at Walnut/Locust or Lombard/South stations, or via PATCO’s 15th/16th Street station.
🚗 If you’re driving, street parking is available — just be sure to pay the meter. There are many garages in the area, including the Nikki Giovanni (1441 S. Broad St.), the Parkway — Kimmel Center (300 S. Broad St.), and the lot at 417 S. Broad St. Consider booking ahead of time with Park Whiz or Spot Hero.
👕 Where to get merch
Celebrate the festival with a colorful film fest crew neck, T-shirt, or socks. Items range from $30 to $50 and can be bought online and in-person at the merch table in the lobby of the Kimmel Center.