{{Infobox film festival

|name=Black Star International Film Festival

|logo=Official_BSIFF_logo.jpg

|founded=2015

|location=[[Accra]], [[Ghana]]

|founder=[[Juliet Asante]]

|partnerS=[[National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI)]], [[Silverbrid Group]]

|website=http://www.bsiff.org}}

The '''Black Star International Film Festival''' ('''BSIFF''')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bsiff.org|title=BSIFF official website|access-date=2017-09-15}}</ref> founded by [[Juliet Asante]] with support from partners in 2015 is an annual film festival held around August in [[Accra]], [[Ghana]]. It started in 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://citifmonline.com/2016/02/03/black-star-international-film-festival-launched-in-accra/|title=BSIFF launched|access-date=2017-09-15}}</ref> The festival is held between three to four days, which include various activities about the festival’s theme<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bsiff.org/program/ | title=BSIFF Theme | publisher=bsiff.org | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> Typically, submissions are opened around February for filmmakers all over the world after which the portal is closed for the jury to judge and decide on the best films to be screened at the festival.

All activities for the festival are normally coordinated by the Festival Producer<ref>{{cite web | url=http://africanwomenincinema.blogspot.com/2016/04/black-star-international-film-festival.html | title=Ellerson Beti, a Black Star International Film Festival Producer | publisher=africanwomenincinema | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref>. The Producer for the maiden event in 2016 was Jacqueline Nsiah. The 2017 festival was produced by Sarah Wechselberger.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bsiff.org/what-we-do/ | title=Sarah Wechselberger, a Black Star International Film Festival Producer | publisher=bsiff.org | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref>

As a non-profit, BSIFF creates global connections through films by helping to bridge the gap between African cinema and the world. [6] The festival focuses on the business of film and advocacy in the region. BSIFF works to create a bridge between filmmakers in Africa and the world and facilitate the exchange of cultures, the creation of employment, enhancing investments in the sector, and generally improve the skill sets within the sector in the region.

== History of BSIFF ==

Actress turned [[Film producer]] - [[Juliet Asante]] - started BSIFF in 2015 as a major platform to promote the film business in Ghana<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5183296/?ref_=nv_sr_1 | title=Juliet Asante on IMDb | publisher=IMDb.com | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> and Africa<ref>{{cite web | url=http://thenet.ng/2016/08/femi-odugbemis-gidi-blues-goes-to-ghana-uganda/ | title=BSIFF encourages Africa Film Industry | publisher=thenet.ng | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> and advocate for its growth within an African context.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.accraexpat.com/events/?type=event&story=3831 | title=BSIFF opportunity for Africa Film makers | publisher=accraexpat.com | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> who attend. It also encourages the use of film to change the African narrative outside the continent.

BSIFF commenced on August 25 and ended 28 of the same month in 2016<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bsiff.org/upcoming-activitiesnews/ | title=BSIFF 2016 | publisher=bsiff.org | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref>, with Gold Coast<ref>{{cite web | url=http://peacefmonline.com/pages/showbiz/movies/201608/290407.php | title=Gold Coast film | publisher=peacefmonline.com | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> – a Ghana/Denmark collaboration, and Gidi Blues – by Femi Odugbemi<ref>{{cite web | url=http://mediahouse360.net/black-star-international-film-festival-lit-accra-25th-28th-august/ | title=2016 BSIFF | publisher=mediahouse360.net| accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> as the Opening and Closing Films respectively. Of the over 3000 submissions that made it to the premier edition, only 40 were selected to be screened during the festival. The Festival Producer at the time, Jacqueline Nsiah<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bsiff.org/about | title=BSIFF Producer Jacqueline Nsiah | publisher=bsiff.org | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> - was a freelance film festival and arts & culture consultant. She is the co-director and curator of UHURU festival in Rio de Janeiro and is currently a Programmer at Film Africa, London.

In 2017, Moonlight –  Oscar-winning film directed by Barry Jenkins – was the Opening film, while Amma Asante’s 'A United Kingdom' was the Closing Film. Sarah Wechselberger<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ameyawdebrah.com/black-star-international-film-festival-opens-accra-expect/ | title=Sarah Wechselberger | publisher=ameyawdebrah.com | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref> – a festival volunteer in 2016 became the Producer of the 2017 event. Sarah had previously worked with the native section of the [[Berlin International Film Festival]] and was part of a German – American production in the States with [[Jamie Foxx]] (Sleepless Night, 2017), where she was assisting the director of the film<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bsiff.org/what-we-do | title=BSIFF Producer assists director of German-America production | publisher=bsiff.org | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref>. Being a platform for networking and industry business, both years saw the attendance of film distributors like Linda Nelson from Indie Rights Movie, and Betty Sulty-Johnson of DIFFA (Distribution Internationale de Film et Fictions d’Afrique) – a Distribution company specialised in Selling African TV Content, who attended the festival in 2016, and Kunle Falodu<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/when-the-first-lady-of-ghana-attended-my-party_us_59a2b81ce4b0cb7715bfd682 | title=Kunle Falodu | publisher=huffingtonpost.com | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref>, Vice – President (Distribution, Africa) of [[Sony Pictures Television]] attending in 2017.

In 2017, there were a few additions to the festival: Yaa Asantewa – UNDP Awards, Talent Market, and Cultural Immersion. The Yaa Asantewa – UNDP Awards were awarded to films that filmmakers that went deep and told stories that resonate to promote global good and to ensure that the sustainable development goals (SDGs) become a reality for all. The Talent Market, as an addition, is a high-level networking opportunity with the goal of fostering business, co-production, and cooperation among industry players. The Cultural Immersion was introduced to focus annually on a different cultural group and present everything related to its culture – from dance, music, art, and fashion to traditional food and drinks. These additions pushed the reach of the work of the festival.

== BSIFF Today ==

The Black Star International Film Festival is the main activity of the Black Star International Film Institute, which is engaged in other projects, programs and activities beyond the festival, of which Advocacy is a major role. The 2017 edition of the festival which started on August 19, and ended August 21, had about 100 volunteers helping across all sections of the festival program. These volunteers under the Volunteering Program of the festival learn, network, and build their resumes while being a part of the festival.

BSIFF 2017 was themed ''For the Young at Heart''. A major break was that senior government officials came on board to promote the festival<ref>{{cite web | url=http://citifmonline.com/2017/08/18/first-lady-pledges-support-for-black-star-international-film-festival/ | title=BSIFF gets support from Ghana First Lady | publisher=citifmonline.com | accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref>. The Institute continues to advocate for the growth of the film business in Ghana and Africa even after festivities are over.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://amaphiko.redbull.com/tr/projects/black-star-international-film-festival | title=Beyond film | publisher=amaphiko.redbull.com| accessdate=15 September 2017}}</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Film festivals established in 2015]]