BlackStar Film Festival Kicks Off Today In Philly
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - More than 70 films will be shown over the course of four days to hundreds of movie buffs when the fourth annual BlackStar Film Festival opens today in Philadelphia.
"We're creating these audiences for independent makers," says Maori Karmael Holmes, founder and producing artist for the festival.
The event includes more than two dozen screenings and panel discussion and will showcase feature length films, shorts and documentaries from independent Black filmmakers outside of Hollywood.
"We're really, really interested in the films that aren't going to make it to the big screen," says Holmes, noting it's this aspect of the festival that makes it special.
Highlights of the festival include films like "Treasure: From Tragedy to Trans Justice," by Dream Hampton -- a writer best known for the book "DeCoded" with rapper JayZ. The story chronicles the murder of a biracial transwoman.
"It's really reflective I think intersectionally with all the things going with Black Lives Matter," says Holmes.
Other highlights include "Life's Essentials with Ruby Dee-- about her grandson living in the shadow of two civil rights icons. Finally, "BaddDDD," about the life of Philadelphia's own poet and activist Sonia Sanchez.
The BlackStarr Film Festival runs through Sunday.
