Blackstar Film Festival Invites Submissions For 2026 Edition
This year’s events will take place from 6th to 9th August in person in Philadelphia and online globally. Film submissions are officially open for the 2026 edition of the BlackStar Film Festival, an annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the African diaspora and of global Indigenous communities, showcasing films by Black, Brown […]
Black News 
This year’s events will take place from 6th to 9th August in person in Philadelphia and online globally.
Film submissions are officially open for the 2026 edition of the BlackStar Film Festival, an annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the African diaspora and of global Indigenous communities, showcasing films by Black, Brown and Indigenous artists from around the world.
Films being submitted must be directed by a person who identifies as Black, Brown, and/or Indigenous and tell a story of Black, Brown, and/or Indigenous experiences.
Awards and prizes granted by Blackstar include:
- – Best Feature Narrative
– Best Feature Documentary
– Best Short Narrative (ACADEMY AWARDS qualifying)
– Best Short Documentary (ACADEMY AWARDS qualifying)
– Best Experimental
– Audience Awards
Eligibility Requirements
Films must (1) be directed by a person of African descent or who otherwise identifies as Black, Brown or Indigenous, and (2) feature persons of African descent, or tell a story of Black, Brown or Indigenous experiences.
It is preferred that narrative feature films and documentary films not exceed a runtime of 120 minutes. Short films must not exceed a runtime of 40 minutes.
Non-English language works must have English subtitles at the time submitted. Dialogue lists will not be accepted.
Priority is given to recently completed films (in 2025 and 2026). Submissions may be in work-in-progress form; however, works that are not final cuts must be clearly marked “Work in Progress (WIP)” or “Rough Cut” with an indication of what will change or what is missing (e.g., temp sound, missing animation, etc.). If accepted, final prints/media files must be received by 5th June 2026.
Please be advised that all accepted films (both English and non-English language films) are REQUIRED to have open captions burned into the final print.
Films will be automatically entered into audience competition unless the entrant(s) request to be withdrawn. Entrants must make this request at the time of confirmation.
Recipients of the juried Short Narrative and Short Documentary Awards are eligible for consideration in the Live Action Short and Documentary Short categories of the Academy Awards without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy’s rules.
Early deadline for submissions is 1st February 2026 and the late deadline is 1st April 2026. Accepted filmmakers will be notified by 8th May 2026.
Interested and eligible filmmakers can make their entries here.
