MY FAVORITE FILMS FROM THE 10TH BLACKSTAR FILM FESTIVAL
The 10th annual BlackStar Film Festival took place on August 4th – 8th 2021 in Philadelphia, PA offering both in-person and virtual events. Attendees had the opportunity to attend panels, network during happy hour events and even attend in person film screenings at the Mann Center and Eakins Oval. It was such an exciting way to celebrate BIPOC filmmakers, visual artists and film lovers with an array of events and film premieres.
Over the years I have enjoyed attending the BlackStar Film Festival as it has given me the opportunity to discover new films and filmmakers. This year I was not able to attend any of the in-person events or film screenings but I was able to watch some of the virtual premieres of short films and documentaries that were showcased this year at the festival. As much as I loved all the films I was able to watch, I want to break down some of my favorite films from this year’s festival.
Gales | 2020 | Dir: Ingred Prince & Tshay
Gales is a short narrative about Nurse Indigo and her journey in trying to find her way out of helping her co-worker cover her shift (as she already promised her in the beginning of the film) to have a steamy weekend with a hook up. Throughout the film you get to meet interesting characters and hear very relatable stories. For instance, you can see Nurse Indigo being an assumed breadwinner of the family as she constantly stresses receiving calls from an unknown character over the phone. In one scene, she is seen giving half of her paycheck to someone as she goes from having a secure amount of money in her account to only $60 after letting a mysterious character over the phone go into her account for what seems to be much needed cash. There are so many young people of this generation who can definitely relate having to be the one to take care of the family even when you just want to go out and enjoy life with no responsibility. This role as a provider at home may explain her reasoning on why she tried to ditch her at work responsibilities in covering a coworking/friend shift after agreeing to do so. Overall this short narrative is a fun twist on the usual dramatic hospital theme series and films. It’s good to see a lighthearted show on people who work in the medical field definitely during COVID. While it may have its real moments, it’s definitely a show you can sit back with friends and enjoy during a night in.
From Trash to Treasure: Turning Negatives into Positives in Lesotho | 2020 | Dir: Iara Lee
From Trash to Treasure was a short documentary about creative youth in Lesotho “making the best of what you have” as they create beautiful art, fashion and creative spaces from the resources around them. As someone who is into sustainability and self-expression, this film was such an eye opening experience in learning all the ways the creative youth in Lesotho is reinventing and reusing some of the waste that is left behind in their country to create positive changes for the next generation to come. From filmmakers to fashion designers and even visual artists, this film showed us how art can ignite change with unity and creative thinking. This was definitely my favorite documentary seeing all of the amazing artwork created from recycled goods, hearing people play music from instruments they made from trash or seeing amazing fashion designed sustainably. As a creative myself, it’s definitely inspired me to be thoughtful in how I use my art to inspire and influence the change I want to see in my own community.
Abundance | 2021 | Dir: Kym Allen
Abundance is a three-part short narrative that explores the themes of body acceptance, emotional acceptance and sexuality acceptance and understanding through the stories told by storyteller, organizer, and filmmaker Amber J. Phillips. These stories are broken down by “Fat”,”Anger” and “Queer” as they told their personal stories and connections of each topic. Watching this documentary gave an inside look of what its like to exist in the world as a Black, fat, queer person, a story that I don’t think is told enough in media or pop culture. Being a plus sized, Black woman myself there were so many stories I related to from my own upbringing. It felt liberating to know other people go through some of the same issues I did and still go through even now in my 20’s. The way Amber J. Phillips was able to tell these stories with such confidence and with a sense of humor only shows how this journey helped heal and shape the person they are today. This film definitely had me on an emotional rollercoaster from laughter to tears and right back to laughter. I enjoyed every minute of it and only hope more directors and producers create brilliant stories such as Abundance. Trust when I say they are much needed.
Even though these three films were my absolute stand out favorites, they’re so many other films and documentaries I enjoyed from the festival such as “Baby Bangz” a short documentary about a Black Woman owned hair salon and its spiritual connection to their community in New Orleans or “Sister of the Soil” a documentary about Jeannine Cook and her journey into opening her bookstore, “Harriet’s Bookshop” in Philadelphia right before the pandemic hit. I definitely recommend going back to BlackStar Film Festival Film Guide to check out all the amazing films and documentaries that were showcased during the festival. Of course, I’m excited for the BlackStar Film Festival to come back around in 2022 (hopefully without COVID *fingers crossed*) so I can connect with amazing people and check out awesome films that I know I will enjoy.
