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Lights, camera, action on an epic celebration of art and culture as BlackStar Film Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary.
That’s 15 years of showcasing work by brilliant Black, Brown and Indigenous voices in filmmaking, 15 years of breaking boundaries, and countless audience members inspired.
The annual Oscar-qualifying fest commemorates the milestone with a slate of nearly 100 indie film screenings across genres, including a whopping 83 (!) premieres, and over a dozen free or low-cost parties, talks and community events.
— Foto door D. Jackson
Centered at venues along Philadelphia’s Kunstlaan — including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre and the Wilma Theater — BlackStar Film Festival retourzendingen August 6 through 9, 2026.
Read on for the full rundown on this year’s fest, including insider tips from yours truly.
BlackStar Film Festival has long graduated from a one-off micro fest to a full-fledged international film destination. From the outside looking in, it’s been an incredible ride.
My first BlackStar was the fourth fest, back during its West Philly days. While the venues have changed and audiences grown — 2025’s fest saw over 20,000 tickets sold (!) — its mission has remained crystal clear: to spotlight interesting stories and artists from the world’s Black, Brown and Indigenous communities. And have a damn good time while doing it.
That said, there are so many ways to festival, and here’s where to start:
This year’s lineup brings straight heat with more than 90 films from 30 different countries, including Palestine, Nigeria, Cambodia, Mexico and Brazil.
The City of Brotherly Love still represents with several flicks about Philly music, history, culture and communities, including festival founder Maori Karmael Holmes’ documentary directorial debut, Scene Not Heard: Women in Philadelphia Hip Hop.
- Foto door P. Jackson
Titles criss-cross genres, from traditional narrative films and documentaries to animated works, music videos and experimental projects. With 83 premieres slated — including 22 world premieres and 34 Philadelphia premieres — the odds are high that you’ll be among any film’s first viewers.
Overwhelmed? Steal my watch list! I’m excited for:
The celebration continues outside the theater with multiple days of parties and an all-star DJ lineup, including NA$H and Cory Townes (you may know his dad — DJ Jazzy Jeff).
Mis het niet! free opening night dance party at Frankie’s Summer Club (August 6, 2026), a special edition of First Friday at the Barnes (August 7, 2026), and a free closing night bash at the Barnes Foundation (August 9, 2026). Advanced registration is required.
- Foto met dank aan BlackStar Film Festival
Pro-tip: For First Friday at the Barnes, use code BLACKSTAR26 at checkout for $10 tickets. All-access and industry pass holders get in for free!
Want to hear from filmmakers, actors and other creatives — like the team behind Netflix’s highly anticipated reboot of A Different World? Check out BlackStar’s schedule of free panels and live conversations.
Insider tip: The Daily Jawn Morning Show is an awesome way for last-minute planners to map out their festival day. Grab a coffee, matcha or caffeinated bevvie of your choosing from nearby shops (like Good Karma, Curtain Call, Madi’s and La Colombe) and listen in as the hosts talk shop with special guests and preview the day to come.
Thought you were going to spend all day sitting in a cozy theater, right? Wrong! (Unless you want to.)
There’s no movie without m-o-v-e: Sharpen your self-care practices with daily, free wellness workshops. Learn how to manifest your best creative work through guided movement, drop into savasana in between screenings with yoga classes, and more.
Shop local and small at the BlackStar Bazaar (Sunday). Browse merch and posters from Black independent cinema; nourishing herbs and teas; hip, handcrafted ceramics; red carpet-worthy accessories; and more from 14 different small businesses.
Plus, BlackStar has some of the best merch around, debuting colorful, cute and collectible new designs each year. This year’s collection of shirts, bags and more hasn’t been released yet, but I’d set aside some cash.
When it comes to enjoying BlackStar Film Festival, you’ve got options.
Het meeste waar voor je geld: de Toegangspas, which includes admission to all screenings and special events (both in-person and virtual).
Losse filmtickets en bundels are available, and youth (ages 13 to 21), students (with valid ID), and seniors (age 55 and above) can receive 25% korting per screening. Virtual-only passes zijn ook beschikbaar.
Plus, ACCESS cardholders can use code 26ACCAR to receive discounted tickets for just $2 each (in-person and virtual).
Het festival vindt voornamelijk plaats op de Kimmel Centrum voor Uitvoerende Kunsten (300 S. Broad Street), het Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad Street) en de Wilma Theater (265 S. Broad Street), with select events at local spots like Frankie's zomerclub (355 S. 15th Street) and the Barnes Foundation (Benjamin Franklin Parkway 2025).
Er is geen verkeerde manier om Broad Street te bereiken, maar voor degenen die het parkeren willen overslaan, SEPTA’is er voor jou. Bussen run down Broad Street all day, and the Lombard-South stop on the Metrolijn B (Broad Street) zet je af op minder dan vijf minuten van elk theater.
Wil je in plaats daarvan op twee wielen naar de shows komen? Pak een Indego rental bike and park it at one of the several stations near Broad Street, including one right next to the Kimmel Center at 15th and Spruce streets.
For more on BlackStar Film Festival, click the button below.
So many options! Upscale accommodations like Het Bellevue Hotel en de Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown Centrum are located right along South Broad Street, just steps away from the festival action.
The only thing better than luxurious accommodations are discounted luxurious accommodations. In addition to those mentioned above, other Center City hotels, including the Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia, Roost Midtown, Roost East Market and YOWIE, are official festival partners, with several offering special discounts to festivalgoers.
YOWIE - Foto door Visit Philadelphia
Wanna take your stay to the next level? Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package at a participating hotel for free parking en complimentary tickets to five of the region’s most popular attractions, like Universal Theme Parks: De tentoonstelling at The Franklin Institute and Longwood Gardens in Chester County.
Taking a break from the watch fest? Continue your journey through Philly arts and culture with this list of things to do during — and after — BlackStar Film Festival:
Het is geen verrassing: Philly weet wat eten is. Maar onze bekroonde culinaire scene goes beyond just pretzels and cheesesteaks.
Vier de gevarieerde eetscene van Philly met een maaltijd - of meerdere - bij enkele van de toprestaurants van de stad. Aziatisch eigendom, Latino-eigendom en Eigendom van zwarte mensen restaurants, van Michelin– and James Beard-honored fine dining, like Vrijdag Zaterdag Zondag en Kamperfoelie, to markets like the Zuidoost-Aziatische markt to the culturally diverse eateries dotting Philly neighborhoods.
(Extra points if you dine at Honeysuckle before or after co-owner Cybille St. Aude-Tate takes the festival stage.)
Kamperfoelie - Foto door D. Knoll voor Visit Philadelphia
Philly is een hub voor Bedrijven die eigendom zijn van zwarte en bruine mensen, offering handmade goods and hard-to-find products at dozens of brick-and-mortar and online Eigendom van zwarte mensen businesses; Latino-eigendom shops and boutiques; and Aziatisch eigendom stores, markets and specialty shops.
Retro Rewind Vintage & Tweedehands — Foto met dank aan Fairmount Community Development Corporation
Kunst en artisticiteit zijn overal om je heen in Philly. Wil je zien hoe de magie gebeurt? Black and Brown creatieven uit de hele stad bieden atelierrondleidingen op verschillende locaties, waaronder:
Even de benen strekken? Als geboorteplaats van de natie is Philadelphia de thuisbasis van belangrijke culturele monumenten, waaronder de stichtingskerk van de African Methodist Episcopal denominatie (Moeder Bethel AME) en het eerste grote museum gewijd aan de Afro-Amerikaanse geschiedenis (African American Museum in Philadelphia).
Tour important sites in Black history with The Black Journey: Afro-Amerikaanse geschiedeniswandeling door Philadelphia, or visit the actual homes of influential figures, like entertainers and Civil Rights icons Marian Anderson en Paul Robeson.
Visitors can also explore thousands of artifacts inside the Penn Museum’De uitgestrekte galeries van Afrika, Mexico & Midden-Amerika en Azië.
Plus, de Philadelphia Museum of Art regularly stages exhibitions featuring Black, Latino and Asian artists, while organizations like Taller Puertorriqueño, Esperanza Kunstcentrum en Aziatisch Kunstinitiatief highlight Latino and Asian culture and history in their gallery exhibitions and other programming.
Penn Museum - Foto door Visit Philadelphia
Het is tijd voor een staande ovatie. Groot Philadelphia's eerbiedwaardige theaters en podia voor podiumkunsten ensceneren het hele jaar door schitterende producties - en het epicentrum ligt op de Kunstlaan (het gedeelte van South Broad Street tussen City Hall en South Street).
Daar stromen theaterbezoekers, orkestfans, dans- en operaliefhebbers samen in de Kimmel Centrum voor Uitvoerende Kunstende Academie voor Muziekde Miller Theater en de Tony Award-winnende Wilma Theater. Discounted last-minute tickets are often available through TKTS.
Philly is al een van de beste steden in Amerika voor straatkunst. Maar het is ook een centrum voor prachtige werken die de rijke culturele diversiteit van Amerika vieren.
Koester de planeet en de kracht van vrouwen met La Borinqueña in Norris Square, marvel at intricate Mexican mosaics inside the Magische Tuinen Museum, reflecteren op de zwarte ervaring in Amerika met Moed in kaart brengen on South Street, or stare in awe at the 21-story-high Het verleden ondersteunt de toekomst (承前啓後) muurschildering in Chinatown.
Magische Tuinen Museum - Foto door D. Knoll voor Visit Philadelphia
Looking for even more fun between the flicks? Chow down, watch live performances, jam out to live music, and join in the revelry at some of the other festivals and events happening during BlackStar.
Bekijk de Chinese Lantaarnfestival bij Franklin Square (through August 16, 2026), Light Up the Night bij de Zuid 9e straat Italian Market (August 8 and 9, 2026), and various events celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Chinees Lantaarnfestival van Philadelphia - Foto door Visit Philadelphia
Het is het grootste jaar tot nu toe voor Philly!
Haal er het beste uit door de Visit Philly Overnight Package, die wordt geleverd met gratis parkeren bij het hotel en gratis kaartjes voor een aantal van de populairste attracties in elk van de vijf graafschappen van Greater Philadelphia, waaronder Universal Theme Parks: De tentoonstelling in The Franklin Institute, het Mercer Museum in Bucks County, Longwood Gardens in Chester County, de Brandywine Museum of Art in Delaware County en Elmwood Park Zoo in Montgomery County.
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