The 11th Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) is set to take place in Kumasi from Thursday, September 24 to Sunday, September 27. The festival, themed 'Film & Global Culture: The New Wave of African Cinema,' will bring together filmmakers, actors, industry leaders, students, entrepreneurs, and film lovers from Ghana and abroad. This year's edition will feature films from 12 countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, the United States, South Africa, Zimbabwe, China, Cameroon, Singapore, the Dominican Republic, Russia, and Eswatini.
The festival received submissions from 42 countries, but only films from 12 made the final selection. The line-up includes documentaries, animation, student productions, series, Kumawood titles, music videos, and AI-generated content. The festival's program reflects the changing tools and formats used to tell African stories. The event will take place at Kumasi's Golden Eagle Cinemas, which will serve as a hub for African storytelling.
The festival will open on Thursday with a ceremony that includes the launch of a Mental Health for Creatives initiative, discussions on protecting intellectual property, and the role of artificial intelligence in African filmmaking. The day will close with an evening cinema music party. Friday will focus on the business side of the industry, with sessions on film funding, selling films to television stations, and the importance of local languages in filmmaking.
On Friday, the National Film Authority of Ghana will lead a session on the Film Fund, while media executive Dr. Fadda Dickson Narh will speak on selling films to television stations. Cinema executive Kene Mkparu will also lead a session on film distribution. The funding-focused industry session aims to help Ghanaian filmmakers understand available support and how to apply for it.
On Saturday, masterclasses will be led by actor Aba Arthur on character acting, Kene Mkparu on audience development, and creative professional Obinna Okerekeocha on practical applications of AI in filmmaking. The festival will close on Sunday with final screenings, a closing film from Uganda, an awards ceremony, and a rooftop after-party.
A new industry publication, 'The African Filmmaker's Roadmap: From Film to Audience, Market & Distribution,' will be launched during the festival. The book, written by filmmaker and BSIFF founder Juliet Asante, addresses questions many African filmmakers face after completing a project, such as how to reach audiences, secure distribution deals, and build sustainable careers.
The festival offers direct access to funding guidance from the National Film Authority and networking opportunities with international distributors and executives. The event is supported by UNESCO and features a new partnership with MultiChoice Talent Factory, aimed at supporting skills development across Africa's film industry.
Key points
- The festival features films from 12 countries, selected from 42 submissions.
- The event includes industry sessions on film funding, distribution, and AI in filmmaking.
- A new industry publication will be launched during the festival, providing guidance for African filmmakers.
