Festival← Blackstar Projects
PassesAccessibility
2026
Schedule
Film Guide
How To Fest
PassesAccessibility
ScheduleFilms A–ZTalks & EventsMy Schedule

FILMS A–Z

91 films

A film still from 66 Days shows four older men laughing around a round table on a sandy beach. The two men in the center are seated while the men on the left and right side are standing and looking down at them. In the background, the waves are crashing on the beach and the sky is a soft pink
(World Premiere)

66 Days (٦٦ يوماً)

Short DocumentaryDir. by Joude BazzounLebanon, United KingdomRuntime: 23 minutes
!
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from A Bundle of Silences shows a hand holding a lit flare. The flare is releasing smoke and barely illuminates the hand.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

A Bundle of Silences (Un montón de silencios)

ExperimentalDir. by Sofía Gallisá MurientePuerto Rico, United StatesRuntime: 24 minutes
Learn More
A film still from A Different Image shows a young Black woman and a young Black man sitting on the grass. The woman is sitting on the left, facing towards the man who is smiling at her. She is wearing an orange shirt, a red-patterned skirt, long black socks, and brown sandals. The man is lying on his side with his right hand propping up his face. He is wearing a blue plaid shirt and jeans.

A Different Image

Feature NarrativeDir. by Alile Sharon LarkinUnited StatesRuntime: 52 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from A Life in Art: Through the Eye of Dr. Leslie King Hammond shows Hammond facing away from the frame, gesturing as she watches a young Black painter who is adding finishing touches on a portrait of Michelle Obama. The painter is holding a brush and palette in her left hand and painting Obama’s hand.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

A Life in Art: Through the Eye of Dr. Leslie King Hammond

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Ben Baker-Lee, Rassaan HammondUnited StatesRuntime: 80 minutes
Learn More
A film still from A Life in Art: Through the Eye of Dr. Leslie King Hammond shows Hammond facing away from the frame, gesturing as she watches a young Black painter who is adding finishing touches on a portrait of Michelle Obama. The painter is holding a brush and palette in her left hand and painting Obama’s hand.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

A Sad and Beautiful World (نجوم الأمل و الألم)

Feature NarrativeDir. by Cyril ArisLebanon, United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, QatarRuntime: 109 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Aanikoobijigan (ancestor/great-grandparent/great-grandchild) shows a group of Native people standing around a freshly dug rectangular pit on a sunny day. The frame is centered on the ground, showing the grass, the pit, and the lower bodies of the people.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Aanikoobijigan [ancestor/great-grandparent/great-grandchild]

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Adam Khalil, Zack KhalilUnited States, DenmarkRuntime: 80 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from After What Happened at the Library shows an Asian drag queen sitting in a kitchen, staring into the distance. She is sitting behind a counter, wearing a black dress with red and white floral patterns and a shoulder-length red wavy wig. The kitchen is lit by a single light that throws harsh shadows across the room.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

After What Happened at the Library

Short NarrativeDir. by Syra McCarthyUnited StatesRuntime: 15 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from An Afternoon with a Gnawa shows a black-and-white image of a Black man standing in front of a view of the desert. The man is facing forward, wearing a striped vest and a square cap. In the distance, there’s a flock of birds across a gray sky.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

An Afternoon with a Gnawa

ExperimentalDir. by Meena NanjiMoroccoRuntime: 12 minutes
Learn More
A film still from An Impossible Address shows dozens of chairs falling from the sky toward a desert landscape.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

An Impossible Address

ExperimentalDir. by Suneil SanzgiriUnited States, Angola, IndiaRuntime: 39 minutes
!
Learn More
A scanned image from An Incomplete Calendar shows a group of Iranian children playing on a pipeline in the desert. A few boys stand and balance on the pipeline while two young girls sit on top and talk to two other girls standing in the sand. In the background, there’s an oil refinery. In the upper right corner of the image, it reads: “Iranian Oil Operating Companies 1958.”
(North America Premiere)

An Incomplete Calendar

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Sanaz SohrabiCanada, Iran, Turkey, VenezuelaRuntime: 77 minutes
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from And She Didn’t Die shows a Black woman facing the camera with a soft smile. She’s wearing a patterned shirt and holding a white curtain near her face using her right hand.
(United States Premiere)

And She Didn’t Die

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Kethiwe NgcoboSouth AfricaRuntime: 102 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Angels Pull Your Hair shows a young Black woman leaning against a graffiti-covered wall in a bathroom. She looks upward with a solemn expression.
(North America Premiere)

Angels Pull Your Hair

Short NarrativeDir. by Gabby BeansUnited StatesRuntime: 15 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Another Day Shall Come shows the ruins of a Palestinian house in Wadi Salib, a neighborhood in the city of Haifa. The image shows the side of a worn stone wall with a blue sky in the background.
(East Coast Premiere)

Another Day Shall Come (سيجيء يوم آخر)

Short DocumentaryDir. by Aida KaadanPalestineRuntime: 20 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Are You Native? shows a woman standing in front of a mirror looking at herself. The mirror reveals half of her face and her left hand softly touching her shoulder. Her hair is braided and she is wearing traditional regalia.
(East Coast Premiere)

Are You Native?

Short DocumentaryDir. by Victoria CheyenneUnited StatesRuntime: 18 minutes
Learn More
A film still from At the Stage When shows a young Chinese woman in the distance walking her dog along a tree-lined paved path on an overcast day.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

At the Stage When (Ci Shi Ci Ke)

Short DocumentaryDir. by Hao ZhouUnited States, ChinaRuntime: 16 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Authors of the Estate shows a smiling Black man in a black jacket looking towards a paperback book that’s mid-air above his right hand. Loose pages fly around him as he stands in front of a worn apartment building.
(United States Premiere)

Authors of the Estate

Short DocumentaryDir. by Abdou CisséUnited KingdomRuntime: 21 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Becoming Human shows a seated teenage girl and sleeping woman on a tiled floor in a cave. The girl is wearing a pink shirt and blue skirt and is staring off to the left. The woman is lying on her left side. There’s a line of multi-colored flags stretching across the cave wall and a gold statue on the right.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Becoming Human (Chiet Chea Manusa)

Feature NarrativeDir. by Polen LyCambodiaRuntime: 99 minutes
Learn More
(North America Premiere)

Black Lions — Roman Wolves

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Haile GerimaUnited StatesRuntime: 623 minutes
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from Black Zombie shows a young Black man holding a torch. He’s wearing a ripped, unbuttoned white shirt. He is standing slightly in front of a group of Black men and women, including a woman on the left in a dirty white shirt and a man on the right with no shirt who is also holding a torch. They all stare forward grimly, with tall stalks of grass behind them.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Black Zombie

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Maya Annik BedwardCanadaRuntime: 90 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Boca Vieja shows a middle-aged man in a yellow rain jacket standing on a beach below a thatched roof. He holds onto a stack of pink stackable chairs.

Boca Vieja

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Yovegami Ascona MoraMexicoRuntime: 85 minutes
Learn More
An animated film still from Bouchra shows an anthropomorphic jackal holding a clear umbrella while looking off to the left. The jackal is wearing a dark jacket as rain pours down and glowing billboards light up the city skyline in the background.
(Philadelphia Festival Premiere)

Bouchra

Feature NarrativeDir. by Meriem Bennani, Orian BarkiItaly, Morocco, United StatesRuntime: 85 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Buckskin shows an older Black man wearing a purple baseball cap looking off into the distance.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Buckskin

Short DocumentaryDir. by Mars VerroneUnited StatesRuntime: 17 minutes
Learn More
(United States Festival Premiere)

Call of My Life

Feature NarrativeDir. by Dammy TwitchNigeriaRuntime: 110 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Charip: Lightning in the River shows an older Wampís man holding a mirror shard that reflects his eye.
(United States Premiere)

Charip: Lightning in the River (Charip: el relámpago del río)

Short DocumentaryDir. by GTANW | MULLU TV Gobierno Territorial Autónomo de la Nación WampísEcuador, PeruRuntime: 20 minutes
!
Learn More
An animated film still from ChikaBOOM!! shows a young Black girl and a smaller pink creature sitting on a cloud facing the New York City skyline as the sun sets. The girl is wearing a pink bow and dress.
(World Premiere)

ChikaBOOM!!

Short NarrativeDir. by c. Craig PattersonUnited StatesRuntime: 9 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Communion shows two older Black woman sitting around a round table and smiling. The woman on the left wears a black cap and red shirt and the woman on the right is wearing a denim jacket and pink pants. The woman on the right is looking at the woman on the left.
(East Coast Premiere)

Communion (Comunhão)

Short DocumentaryDir. by Pétala LopesBrazilRuntime: 23 minutes
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from Don’t wake the sleeping child shows a young Black girl fast asleep on her bed. She’s sleeping over the covers on a diamond-patterned pillow, facing a white curtain.
(United States Premiere)

Don’t Wake the Sleeping Child (Ne réveillez pas l’enfant qui dort)

Short NarrativeDir. by Kevin AubertSenegal, France, MoroccoRuntime: 28 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Ella shows a Black woman in a blue dress singing in a recording studio. She stands behind a microphone and next to a music stand and is lit by a spotlight. A bassist, violinist, and guitarist play around her and a conductor stands in the foreground.
(East Coast Premiere)

Ella

Short NarrativeDir. by Nikki Taylor-RobertsUnited StatesRuntime: 17 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Enjoy the tropix and have a banana ! shows a close-up of an older Black man’s face. He has a gray beard and is wearing blue sunglasses and a red-and-white hood. In his sunglasses, there’s the reflection of older buildings.
(North America Premiere)

Enjoy the Tropix and Have A Banana ! (An diw jwi ! On a la banane sous les tropiques !)

ExperimentalDir. by Kristine BlonbouGuadeloupeRuntime: 8 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Finding Your Laughter shows a Black woman smiling and pointing toward an older Black man with short gray hair. The woman is wearing a red sweater and the man is wearing a blue-and-white shirt.
(World Premiere)

Finding Your Laughter

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Arlieta Hall, Brittany AlsotUnited StatesRuntime: 87 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Fists of Mothers shows a young Black woman with long hair looking directly into the camera with a serious expression. She is standing outside on a sunny street. Her hair is being blown by the wind.
(World Premiere)

Fists of Mothers

Short NarrativeDir. by Tchaiko OmawaleUnited StatesRuntime: 4 minutes
Learn More
A film still from For Peace of Mind shows a Black woman in a black headscarf sitting in front of a stone wall with red flowers. She is propping her chin on her left hand and looking off into the distance.
(World Premiere)

For Peace of Mind

Short NarrativeDir. by Amandla BarakaUnited StatesRuntime: 17 minutes
!
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from Free Joan Little shows Little, a young Black woman in a white top, standing beside another Black woman in glasses. They are standing in a hallway, surrounded by journalists and photographers.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Free Joan Little

Short DocumentaryDir. by Yoruba RichenUnited StatesRuntime: 35 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Free Lyric shows a teenage Black girl surrounded by three teenage Black boys in a room.
(North America Premiere)

Free Lyric

Short DocumentaryDir. by Cherish OtekaUnited States, United KingdomRuntime: 23 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Glass Bricks shows a Black drag queen performing in a dark room with a red spotlight.

Glass Bricks

Short DocumentaryDir. by Simone HollandUnited StatesRuntime: 10 minutes
Learn More
A film still from God Sleeps on Sundays shows a young Black man and an older Black woman standing in front of a wooden hut. The man holds a hammer and looks into the distance. The woman holds a cane and a basket and is speaking to the man.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

God Sleeps on Sundays

Short NarrativeDir. by Naishe NyamubayaZimbabweRuntime: 17 minutes
Learn More
A film still from HomeGoing shows a Black man raising his hands above his head as he stands under a large, branching tree.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

HomeGoing

Music VideoDir. by Julie DashUnited StatesRuntime: 10 minutes
Learn More
A film still from How To Hide It shows two Black people facing each other inside a convenience store. They are both wearing bright green polo shirts labeled: “Sullivan Superstore.” The person on the left has box braids falling down their back. The young Black man on the right is facing the other person and wears headphones around his neck. The store has shelves stocked with bottles, candies, and more.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

How to Hide It

Short NarrativeDir. by Ramla Ali, Richard A. MooreUnited KingdomRuntime: 13 minutes
Learn More
A film still from I Got My Brother shows two Black men sitting on the floor against a wood wall in a house. The man on the left is wearing a beige shirt and camo pants. He has a tattoo on his right arm. The man on the right is wearing a green shirt and khaki pants. He’s looking at the man on the left, and the two are both smiling.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

I Got My Brother

Short DocumentaryDir. by Victor GabrielUnited StatesRuntime: 17 minutes
!
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from I Wonder Shall I Fly shows a glowing jukebox illuminating a woman in a dress and the hand of her dance partner.
(World Premiere)

i wonder shall i fly

Short DocumentaryDir. by Harlan BanksUnited StatesRuntime: 16 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Ish Meets a Mermaid shows an Anishinaabe woman and an Ojibwe man standing in a bookstore. The woman has blue hair extensions and blue eyeshadow, and she is staring at the man.
(East Coast Premiere)

Ish Meets a Mermaid

Short NarrativeDir. by Jonathan ThunderUnited StatesRuntime: 16 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Ixquic shows two Indigenous children and an older Indigenous woman sitting on two beds in a wooden room. The room is illuminated by candles. The younger child is holding a candle while the older woman whispers to the other child, a young girl in a pink shirt.
(United States Premiere)

Ixquic

Short NarrativeDir. by Elvis CajGuatemalaRuntime: 25 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from JESUS IS COMING (to take the Church away) shows a person in white clothing laying with their arms outstretched in a lake. The water is dark blue and there are ripples radiating out from the person.
(East Coast Premiere)

Jesus Is Coming (to Take the Church Away)

Short NarrativeDir. by Cameron ClayUnited StatesRuntime: 24 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Lani B Supreme: Legacy shows a Black man in a white shirt playing a trumpet. The man is illuminated by a bright light but surrounded by darkness, as if performing on a stage.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Lani B Supreme: Legacy

Short DocumentaryDir. by Sabaah FolayanUnited StatesRuntime: 13 minutes
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from Let Them Be Seen shows a collection of cattle grazing in a field of tall grass in South Africa. In the foreground, there’s an asphalt road. In the background, there’s rolling mountains and a mostly clear sky.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Let Them Be Seen

ExperimentalDir. by Nolitha Refilwe MkulisiSouth Africa, GermanyRuntime: 75 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Mickey shows an animated rendering of a woman covering herself with green paint.
(East Coast Premiere)

Mickey

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Dano GarciaMexicoRuntime: 75 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Muoz-Doic Mixtape shows a young Mien woman sitting on an orange stool in front of a blue backdrop. She is holding a black portable cassette player next to her ear and smiling. Next to her, there’s a wooden round table and another orange stool.
(East Coast Premiere)

Muoz-Doic Mixtape

Short DocumentaryDir. by Quyen Nguyen-LeUnited StatesRuntime: 14 minutes
Learn More
A sepia-toned still from National Seating shows two school buses parked side-by-side on a driveway, surrounded by grass and trees.
(World Premiere)

National Seating

Short DocumentaryDir. by Kevin Jerome EversonUnited StatesRuntime: 5 minutes
Learn More
A film still from No Sunshine In Here shows an older Black woman in a red dress sitting in front of a run-down building. Behind the woman, there’s an open door revealing a table with statues and a candle. A white cat paces at the woman’s feet, looking up at her.
(North America Premiere)

No Sunshine in Here (Aqui Não Entra Luz)

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Karol MaiaBrazilRuntime: 79 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Nwanne M Nwaanyị shows two Black people wrapped in a close embrace, facing up. Their face and body shine in the yellow light while their surroundings are dark. Their eyes are closed and their expressions are peaceful.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Nwanne M Nwaanyị

ExperimentalDir. by Chiemeka OfforNigeriaRuntime: 3 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Old Man River shows a Black woman sitting on a sea wall, facing away from the camera. She’s wearing a black top and jeans. The sky in front of her is blue, with a few clouds.
(World Premiere)

Old Man River

Short DocumentaryDir. by Iyabo KwayanaUnited States, GuyanaRuntime: 35 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Olinda’s Golden Arches shows three children standing side-by-side inside a McDonald's, looking forward and holding up red Happy Meal trays with drinks and food boxes. From left to right, the first child smiles brightly, another poses confidently, and the third looks at the camera with a more serious expression. Behind them, a large promotional display shows Ronald McDonald.
(North America Premiere)

Olinda’s Golden Arches (Os Arcos Dourados de Olinda)

Short DocumentaryDir. by Douglas HenriqueBrazilRuntime: 24 minutes
Learn More
A film still from One More Show shows a Palestinian man on stilts raising his arms above a crowd of people walking in the ruins of a neighborhood. The man is wearing clown makeup and red-and-black pants. Some people in the crowd are watching him while others walk past.
(East Coast Premiere)

One More Show (ضايل عنا عرض)

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Mai Saad, Ahmed Al DanafEgypt, PalestineRuntime: 72 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Our Bodies Ours shows an embroidered white bird mid-flight on a black background.
(World Premiere)

Our Bodies Ours

Short DocumentaryDir. by Sonali Gulati, Sanam SheriffUnited States, IndiaRuntime: 8 minutes
Learn More
(Philadelphia Festival Premiere)

Palestine ’36 (فلسطين ٣٦)

Feature NarrativeDir. by Annemarie JacirJordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Norway, France, Palestine, United KingdomRuntime: 119 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Philly Rumba shows a group of majority Black and Latin American men at a recording studio. There are three older Black men sitting in the front, playing hand drums with microphone stands next to them. Behind them, the rest of the group is standing or clapping. The studio has wooden beams along the ceiling and a brick wall.
(World Premiere)

Philly Rumba

Short DocumentaryDir. by Melissa Beatriz, Andrés CisnerosUnited StatesRuntime: 25 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Potato Salad shows a Black man in a hallway looking forward. He is wearing a khaki trenchcoat, a white shirt, and a tie. From his mouth, hangs a sprig of pine. There are frames along the wall and a Christmas wreath hanging on the door behind him.
(World Premiere)

Potato Salad

Short NarrativeDir. by Kyle DrewUnited StatesRuntime: 14 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Powwow People shows a Native American man in full regalia holding an eagle staff. He holds the staff in his right hand and faces toward the left of the frame. The man’s regalia includes colorful decorative beadwork and a headdress. The eagle staff is red with white feathers coming off it.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Powwow People

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Sky HopinkaUnited StatesRuntime: 88 minutes
Learn More
A sepia-toned film still from Reading the World shows a young Brazilian girl sitting on the lap of an older Brazilian woman as they look at a piece of paper on a desk. The girl is holding a pencil and writing on the paper. Around them are other women sitting at desks.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Reading the World

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Catherine Murphy, Iris de OliveiraBrazil, United StatesRuntime: 71 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Remote Views shows a distorted image of a Black boy’s face with glitch-style and visual noise effects. Superimposed over the image is a translucent overlay of part of the American flag.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Remote Views

ExperimentalDir. by Alexis McCrimmonUnited StatesRuntime: 15 minutes
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from Revival 24 shows a blurred figure of a Black man dancing mid-motion against a black background. The man is wearing a black tank top, jeans, and a dark-colored durag.
(North America Premiere)

Revival 24

ExperimentalDir. by Darryl DaleyGermany, EnglandRuntime: 3 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Same Water shows a black-and-white photo of five young Black women standing outdoors in poofy, patterned dresses beneath a large sign that reads, “See Silver Springs from…Paradise Park for Colored People.” The image is overlaid with a scan of a plant leaf painted in orange, green, and red.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Same Water

ExperimentalDir. by Martine GranbyUnited StatesRuntime: 21 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Scene Not Heard: Women in Philadelphia Hip Hop shows a close-up of a young Black woman with gold hoop earrings looking up at the camera.

Scene Not Heard: Women in Philadelphia Hip Hop

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Maori Karmael HolmesUnited StatesRuntime: 45 minutes
!
Learn More
An animated film still from Solace shows two Black boys with afros and swim trunks in a large pool. The light blue horizon of the sky is seen at the top and the two boys wear orange inflatable arm bands. The older boy is at the bottom of the pool while the younger one floats on the top with his left arm raised to swat away three flies around his head.
(World Premiere)

Solace

Short NarrativeDir. by Rodney EvansUnited StatesRuntime: 6 minutes
Learn More
An animated film still from Tell Me When You Get Home shows an older Brown woman sitting in a shallow pond with a younger Brown child resting on her lap. The woman is wearing a long green dress and looking down solemnly while the child is wearing a white tank top and shorts and has a pink mark on their left eye. Around the lilypads and tree roots in the pond, butterflies, hummingbirds, and amphibians gather.
(East Coast Premiere)

Tell Me When You Get Home

Short NarrativeDir. by Tshay MeadeUnited StatesRuntime: 9 minutes
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from Tenants of Lenapehocking in the Age of Magnets shows a group of four Black women and one Black boy on a lawn. The lawn is surrounded by taller townhomes and blocked from the road with a white picket fence. The group stands around a brick circle with taller foliage.
(World Premiere)

Tenants of Lenapehocking in the Age of Magnets

ExperimentalDir. by Louis MassiahUnited StatesRuntime: 58 minutes
Learn More
A film still from The Aura shows two Black women speaking to each other outside of a park in Paris. The woman on the left is dressed in black and holds a bouquet while the woman on the right wears a pink sweater under a grey blazer.
(North America Premiere)

The Aura (L’Aura)

Short NarrativeDir. by Fanta SyllaFranceRuntime: 22 minutes
Learn More
A film still from The Keeper shows an older Black woman speaking to a young Black girl. The two sit around a table, lit by a single gas lantern. The older woman is dressed in all black while the younger girl has a red flower in her hair. On the table in front of them lies a large wooden bowl, some papers, and a cupcake with white frosting.
(World Premiere)

The Keeper

Short NarrativeDir. by Tananarive Due, Steven BarnesUnited StatesRuntime: 23 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from The Philadelphia Sensei: Lovett Hines shows jazz bassist Christian McBride smiling in front of a wood wall with three portraits of Black women. McBride is a Black man wearing a black shirt and suit jacket, clear glasses, and a black-and white hat.
(World Premiere)

The Philadelphia Sensei: Lovett Hines

Short DocumentaryDir. by Donn Thompson Morelli ( "Donn T" )United StatesRuntime: 22 minutes
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from The Prophet shows a pregnant Black woman sitting behind a Black man. The woman is facing the front and looks down solemnly. She wears a patterned dress and bandana. The man is facing the left and also looks down. He is wearing a light-toned dress shirt.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

The Prophet (O Profeta)

Feature NarrativeDir. by Ique LangaMozambique, South AfricanRuntime: 94 minutes
Learn More
A film still from The Seeds We Carry shows an older Haitian man holding a green, speckled pumpkin in his right hand. The man wears a patterned orange shirt and tinted sunglasses. He stands in front of a large patch of grass blocked off from the street with a white fence.
(World Premiere)

The Seeds We Carry

Short DocumentaryDir. by Gabrielle PattersonUnited StatesRuntime: 29 minutes
Learn More
A film still from The Store shows a small stone statue behind a clear barrier. The barrier has a dark sign nailed into it and a small opening.
(World Premiere)

The Store

Short NarrativeDir. by Dr. Fahamu PecouUnited StatesRuntime: 14 minutes
Learn More
A film still from The Tropic Sun and His Eyes shows a group of six shirtless Black boys playing in a body of water. One boy raises his right arm as he looks off into the distance while the rest of the group look around at each other.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

The Tropic Sun and His Eyes (Soley Twopikal Ak Pitit Li)

Feature NarrativeDir. by Elisee Junior St PreuxHaitiRuntime: 80 minutes
Learn More
A film still from To Run is to Return shows a Black man leaning down, holding a flashlight directly towards the camera. The light gives off a lens flare that blocks the man’s eyes.
(World Premiere)

To Run Is To Return

Short NarrativeDir. by Precious Wura AlabiUnited KingdomRuntime: 15 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Treasure Island shows two boys and two girls in a park through a binocular overlay. The boy on the left wears a red cap, a red-and-white striped shirt, and jean shorts. The girl in the middle wears a pink dress with bows in her hair. The boy on the right wears a blue shirt and khaki shorts. They all stand and look towards the taller girl in a red shirt and blue overalls, who is facing to the right and holding a large piece of red fabric.
(World Premiere)

Treasure Island (L’île aux trésors)

Short NarrativeDir. by Miryam CharlesCanadaRuntime: 18 minutes
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from True North shows a Black man in a patterned hat and a “Black Power” shirt leaning over a microphone. The man sits between two other Black men on a panel. Next to him are books that read, “The New Black Poetry,” “Black Pride,” and “Don’t Cry, Scream.”
(Philadelphia Premiere)

True North

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Michèle StephensonUnited States, CanadaRuntime: 96 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from Variations on a Theme shows an older Black woman in a pale robe and red bonnet staring pensively at a television. Her left hand rests on her chin as she sits in a dimly lit bedroom.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Variations on a Theme (Variasies op ‘n Tema)

Feature NarrativeDir. by Jason Jacobs, Devon DelmarSouth Africa, Netherlands, QatarRuntime: 65 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Vis-à-Vis shows two Black men facing the left with the sun reflecting off their face. The younger man is closer to the camera and stares off to the side, while the older man behind him stares straight left.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Vis-à-Vis

ExperimentalDir. by Mamadou YattassayeUnited StatesRuntime: 13 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Voicemail shows a close-up of a Black person under red lighting wearing a dark mask and a jacket with a collared shirt and tie. They are holding up a tube of red lipstick to their face.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Voicemail

ExperimentalDir. by Lade TinubuUnited StatesRuntime: 6 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Watch Out for the Ghosts shows a Black woman in a white dress standing in front of a cotton bale. She is facing away from the camera. There are more cotton bales around her and some trees in the distance.
(World Festival Premiere)

Watch Out For the Ghosts

Short DocumentaryDir. by Yvonne Michelle ShirleyUnited StatesRuntime: 28 minutes
Learn More
A film still from We Act Like Children shows two Anishinaabe children sitting in a brown tent. The girl on the right wears a red plaid flannel shirt and has her hair pulled back in a braid. She is looking towards the older boy on the left who is facing the camera. He wears a teal plaid flannel over a green shirt. On the floor of the tent, there’s a small table and a collection of colorful blankets.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

We Act Like Children (Abinoojiikaasmin)

Short NarrativeDir. by Evelyn PakinewatikCanadaRuntime: 13 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from We Are Not Dreaming shows a close-up of two young Black men with their faces close, about to kiss. The man on the left wears glasses while the man on the right has his arm embracing the other man.
(World Premiere)

We Are Not Dreaming (Não Estamos Sonhando)

Feature NarrativeDir. by Ulisses ArthurBrazilRuntime: 93 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from We, People of the Islands shows a large tree that extends up then to the left, with branches forming a round dome above the trunk. In the foreground, the ground is muddy and covered in stones. Some rocky mountains rise in the background, below a blue sky with few clouds.
(North America Premiere)

We, People of the Islands (Nós, povo das ilhas)

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Elson Santos, Lara SousaPortugal, Mozambique, Cape VerdeRuntime: 80 minutes
Learn More
A film still from West Side Familia shows an older Puerto Rican man stands on top of a traffic light pole in New York City, hanging a Puerto Rican flag. The man is wearing a white tank top under a leather vest. Behind him, a tall apartment building stretches into the sky.
(World Premiere)

West Side Familia

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Taylor HoskingUnited StatesRuntime: 75 minutes
Learn More
A film still from What Will I Become? shows two silhouettes inside a tent made from bedsheets. The tent is lit by strings of warm lights.
(East Coast Premiere)

What Will I Become?

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Lexie Bean, Logan RozosUnited StatesRuntime: 88 minutes
!
Learn More
A film still from When They’re Gone shows an older Black man in a black leather jacket sitting in a booth across from another Black man. The older man has his fingers interlocked and is looking down in distress.
(East Coast Premiere)

When They’re Gone

Short NarrativeDir. by Ragan Henderson, Lauryn DardenUnited StatesRuntime: 14 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Whispers of a Burning Scent shows a Black man in a blue shirt and patterned red bottoms standing in a kitchen. He is facing right and holds a smoking dish. Around him are various pots and kettles, as well as many large stone mortars and pestles.
(North America Premiere)

Whispers of a Burning Scent

Short NarrativeDir. by Mo HaraweSomalia, Austria, GermanyRuntime: 28 minutes
Learn More
A blue-toned film still from White Musk shows a cluttered vanity with an oval-shaped mirror. In the mirror, there’s a reflection of a woman facing right.
(East Coast Premiere)

White Musk

Short NarrativeDir. by Fatima WardyUnited States, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, United KingdomRuntime: 18 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Wholesome shows two Black women standing in front of a deli counter. The woman on the left wears a fluffy pink hat, a gold chain necklace, and a white tank top. The woman on the right wears an oversized black-and-white beret and a black tank top. They both look forward in awe. Behind them, there’s four refrigerators displaying various types of beverages.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Wholesome

Short NarrativeDir. by Kimmy CampbellUnited StatesRuntime: 12 minutes
Learn More
A film still from Wood Street shows two Black men standing in front of a chain-link fence, looking at an empty lot and a distant highway ramp. The man on the left wears a blue shirt and the man on the right has his left arm raised, holding onto the fence. The sky above them is a dark orange and purple.
(Philadelphia Premiere)

Wood Street

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Caron CreightonUnited StatesRuntime: 100 minutes
Learn More
A black-and-white film still from Zenón and the Rebel Boats shows Carlos Zenón standing on a small boat in the Caribbean sea. Zenón is a Puerto Rican man in a white shirt. Around him, there are many other fishermen in boats.
(World Premiere)

Zenón and the Rebel Boats (Zenón y la flotilla rebelde)

Feature DocumentaryDir. by Juan C. Dávila SantiagoPuerto Rico, United StatesRuntime: 93 minutes
Learn More

Sign-up for Festival Updates

About
FestivalPrograms
FestivalPrograms
SupportShop
InstagramFacebookYoutube
SIGN UP FOR BLACKSTAR NEWS,
OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
ContactPressPrivacy PolicyAccessibility
C 2026 Blackstar