BlackStar Film Festival Plans Exciting Changes for Its 15th Anniversary Celebration
BlackStar Film Festival Announces 15th Edition with Fresh Visual Identity
The BlackStar Film Festival is set to return this August, marking its 15th anniversary with a revitalized visual identity. The festival, known for showcasing works by Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists, is collaborating with New York design firm Pacific to enhance its branding.
Maori Karmael Holmes, founder of the festival, reflected on the evolution of its image. “The last time we had a rebrand was in 2019,” she noted. “We couldn’t afford a full identity back then.” The new design aims to unify the festival with its parent organization, BlackStar Projects, establishing a more cohesive brand presence.
Holmes launched BlackStar in 2012 in Philadelphia, her adopted hometown. The festival has grown to include the biannual art journal Seen, the BlackStar Filmmaker Seminar, and the Luminary Gala, an annual fundraising event. Last year, notable guests included Autumn Durald Arkapaw and Robert Townsend.
“What we found over the years is that people would pick up Seen and not know BlackStar produced it,” Holmes explained. “We’re now trying to establish some shared identity. A cohesive brand.”
The upcoming festival will take place from August 6 to 9, coinciding with significant milestones in Philadelphia: the centenary of John Coltrane and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Holmes remarked, “With all the economic and political things happening, we’ve been a little less celebratory. But this is a big deal. I’ve never done anything this long in my life.”
To honor Coltrane, BlackStar is partnering with ArtPhilly, FringeArts, and composer Anthony Tidd to screen feature films The Queen of My Dreams and Mother of George, accompanied by live performances of Coltrane’s music. For the USA 250 anniversary, Holmes has co-curated an exhibition at the Barnes Foundation featuring artists such as Arthur Jafa and Garrett Bradley.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Holmes’s first feature film, Scene Not Heard: Women in Philadelphia Hip Hop. Initially distributed by Seventh Art Releasing, the documentary celebrates the contributions of women to the city’s hip-hop scene.
Holmes described the film as a “love letter to and of archive Philly,” emphasizing its focus on artists, promoters, and journalists. The film will be screened as part of the repertory section at this year’s BlackStar Film Festival. The complete festival lineup will be revealed in the coming weeks, with Nehad Khader serving as Festival Director and overseeing programming.
As BlackStar Projects undergoes a restructuring, Holmes indicated that the organization is now more focused on its core offerings. “Our budget’s a little tighter, and we’re tightening the programs,” she said. “We’ve really focused on the festival, Seen, the seminar, and the curatorial projects we do year-round.”
The organization has also moved into a new space on Broad Street, located next to multiple theaters. “We’re in Center City, so that part is really cool,” Holmes added. “We’re still growing, and this project remains resonant.”
