The 8th Edition of the Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) will kick off from 18th to 24th September, this year, to provide more perspective on the Africa film industry.
The 8th BSIFF was launched under the theme: “Tech in Film: Exploring the role of technology in filmmaking in Africa,” in Accra.
The CEO of the National Film Authority and Founder of BSIFF, Juliet Asante, said the festival aims at focusing on the huge role technology plays in filmmaking on the continent.
“The future is tech and filmmakers need to advance with the times,” she said.
She urged that filmmaking should be contextualised to depict the culture and stories that people can relate to.
Ambassador of European Union of Ghana, H.E. Irchad Razaaly also said that filmmaking can foster social cohesion.
He pledged the EU’s continuous support to BSIFF to encourage conversations on films across communities, cultures and languages.
H.E Razaaly emphasised that the EU will continue to support the filmmaking sector and creative industries in Ghana because “they value investment in youth and their creativity and thus, want to create more opportunities for young people.”
The EU hinted that they will also provide some European films throughout BSIFF 2023 from September 18th to 24th.
The Director of BSIFF, Philippa Bentuma Arthur, reiterated that “the theme reflects the festival’s commitment to celebrating the advancements in cinema on the continent and advocating for an industry that continually pushes boundaries.”
She thanked the EU for supporting the festival which encompasses workshops and Awards Ceremony.
Ms. Arthur added that filmmakers and attendees will gain insight into how technology is transforming the filmmaking landscape in Africa.
The 8th Edition of the BSIFF is supported by the European Union, Mann Robinson Distribution, WiFlix, Indie Rights, Tecno Ghana, Silverbird Cinemas, Spanish Embassy, NAFTI, University of Ghana – School of Performing Arts, Infocus BCW, CompuGhana, the National Film Authority, Black Market Records, Hype.Flix, Ghana Cinema Week, Goethe Institute, GHMovieFreak and Elewa TV.
Film Screenings
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a diverse and thought-provoking selection of films from talented filmmakers across the globe. These films will showcase the innovative use of technology in various aspects of filmmaking, from pre-production to post-production.
Industry experts and tech enthusiasts will lead interactive workshops and panel discussions, shedding light on the latest trends and breakthroughs in film technology.
Black Star Vibes
BSIFF, in partnership with Hype.Flix, Afro Cinema Plus and the Ghana Cinema Week will offer fun and engaging film activities at the Black Star Square.
Activities at the square include Drive-in screenings, our Shorts on Shots program, the Blackstar Music Concert [BMC] and a film museum, film games.
The festival will serve as a hub for filmmakers, producers, distributors and other industry stakeholders to connect, collaborate and foster partnerships.
This networking environment will encourage the sharing of ideas and the exploration of potential collaborations.
