Black Star festival marks decade with global cultural showcase
Ghana’s creative calendar is set to take center stage this September as the Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) commemorates its 10th anniversary, running from September 24 to 28, 2025, under the theme: ‘The Relevance of Film in Society.’
This milestone edition will spotlight the full value chain of the film industry—offering participants not just a cinematic experience but a front-row seat into the people, processes, and possibilities behind the screen. From directors and cinematographers to costume designers, legal experts, and sound engineers, the festival will highlight the collaborative power of film and its profound impact on society.
The festival, which has grown to become a key event on Ghana’s cultural calendar, serves as a springboard for aspiring creatives, offering them exposure to careers in Africa’s largest creative economy employer, as identified by UNESCO.
“Film doesn’t just entertain, it educates, informs, and transforms. This year’s festival will demonstrate the importance of storytelling in shaping national consciousness and social change,” the organizers said in a statement.
Attendees can expect exclusive early screenings, many of which will debut before their official public release, along with masterclasses led by international experts. Opportunities to interact with actors, producers, and screenwriters will also feature prominently in the five-day program.
In line with the festival’s rising international reputation, BSIFF has announced a 19-member global jury chaired by Mr. Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association.
The jury represents voices from Africa, Europe, and North America, ensuring a diverse and robust adjudication process.
Running in parallel with BSIFF is the newly launched Black Star Festival, an expansive cultural celebration taking place in both the United States and Ghana.
The three-day festival will first be held in Washington, D.C., from September 26–28, before being hosted in Ghana in October.
The Black Star Festival is an initiative by GD Visionary Group Ltd., in partnership with the National Commission on Culture (NCC), and forms part of the Black Star Experience, a flagship cultural development project under President John Mahama’s administration.
Unveiled on June 17 at the Accra Tourist Information Centre, the Black Star Festival will feature street carnivals, fashion showcases, food fairs, art exhibitions, film screenings, and a grand gala night, positioning Ghana as Africa’s creative and cultural powerhouse.
According to Mr. Joseph Marteye, President of GD Visionary Group, the festival is designed to appeal especially to diasporans who haven’t yet reconnected with Ghana, encouraging them to explore their roots through immersive cultural experiences.
“The Black Star Festival is a movement with year-round programming that elevates Ghana’s global influence as a cultural and tourism destination,” he noted.
Mr. Wakefield Ackuaku, Executive Director of the NCC, emphasized that the festival is a continuation of cultural efforts such as The Year of Return and Beyond the Return.
“The Black Star Experience aims to build on this momentum, projecting Ghana’s identity into the future,” he said.
Featured artists for the U.S. edition include celebrated names such as Ibrahim Mahama, Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, Betty Acquah, Samuel Lovi, and Serge Attukwei Clottey—whose works embody the spirit of Ghanaian heritage and resilience.
Mr. Humphrey Quaye, Board Chairman of GD Visionary Group, expressed optimism about the festival’s potential to draw diasporan Ghanaians and African Americans not only for cultural discovery but also for business networking and investment opportunities.
