Black Star International Film Festival set for 11th edition in Kumasi
The Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) is set to stage its 11th edition in Kumasi from Thursday, September 24, to Sunday, September 27, 2026, with a four-day programme of film screenings, masterclasses and industry discussions.
The festival will take place at Golden Eagle Cinemas under the theme, “Film & Global Culture: The New Wave of African Cinema.”
The event is expected to bring together filmmakers, actors, industry executives, students, creatives, entrepreneurs, young professionals, film enthusiasts and audiences from Ghana and other parts of the world.
Following submissions from 42 countries, films from 12 countries have been selected for this year’s festival. The countries are Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, the United States, South Africa, Zimbabwe, China, Cameroon, Singapore, the Dominican Republic, Russia and Eswatini.
Audiences will experience a diverse selection of productions, including documentaries, animation, student films, African and international cinema, and Ghanaian films.
The programme will also feature emerging forms of screen storytelling, such as series, AI-generated productions, Kumawood films, music videos, short-form content, interactive productions and vertical dramas.
A key focus of BSIFF 2026 is the importance of African films connecting with African audiences.
The festival will highlight local-language cinema and audience development, exploring how filmmakers can tell culturally grounded stories in African languages, grow sustainable audiences within the continent and create productions capable of reaching international markets.
The decision to host the festival in Kumasi is intentional, given the Ashanti Region’s contribution to Ghana’s popular screen culture and local-language storytelling traditions.
BSIFF says its presence in the city goes beyond changing venues, forming part of a broader effort to bring cinema closer to audiences and strengthen Ghana’s domestic film industry.
Four days of cinema, learning and industry engagement
The festival will open on Thursday, September 24, with an Opening Ceremony featuring the launch of BSIFF’s Mental Health for Creatives initiative. The initiative seeks to draw attention to the emotional pressures, uncertainty and other challenges that often accompany careers in the creative sector.
Day One will also feature film screenings and industry discussions on intellectual property protection and the role of artificial intelligence in the future of African storytelling.
The AI session will examine how emerging technologies could support African filmmakers by lowering production costs and improving access to tools for animation, translation, storyboarding, previsualisation and film restoration, among other applications.
The day’s activities will conclude with an Evening Cinema Music Party.
On Friday, September 25, the second day will focus on the commercial and business aspects of filmmaking.
The National Film Authority will lead a discussion on the Film Fund, while experienced media executive Dr Fadda Dickson Narh will facilitate a session on pitching and selling films to television stations, including the importance of local languages in film production.
Cinema executive Kene Mkparu will also conduct an industry session titled The Science of Film Distribution, addressing the challenges filmmakers face in getting their completed productions to audiences.
Film screenings, networking and industry engagements will continue throughout the day, providing opportunities for participants to connect and exchange ideas.
Saturday, September 26, will feature additional screenings and practical training sessions.
Actor Aba Arthur will lead an acting masterclass titled Bringing Characters to Life, while Kene Mkparu will return to facilitate an Audience Development Masterclass.
Creative professional Obinna Okerekeocha will also lead an AI Masterclass aimed at helping participants move beyond discussions about artificial intelligence and explore its practical applications.
The day’s programme will combine the training sessions with screenings, networking and engagements featuring stories from Ghana, across Africa and beyond.
The festival will conclude on Sunday, September 27, with the final film screenings, followed by a closing film from Uganda.
The Closing Ceremony and Awards will recognise the films and filmmakers featured in the 11th edition. The celebrations will continue with the BSIFF Rooftop After Party, which is scheduled to run into the early hours of the following day.
The final day will provide an opportunity to celebrate the filmmakers, participants and wider community contributing to the growth of cinema.
African Filmmaker’s Roadmap to be launched
Another major highlight of the festival will be the official launch of The African Filmmaker’s Roadmap: From Film to Audience, Market & Distribution.
The 200-plus-page practical industry guide was written by filmmaker and BSIFF founder Juliet Asante, with a foreword by Moses Babatope, Founder and Group CEO of Nile Media Entertainment Group.
The publication seeks to address a common challenge facing filmmakers after completing a production: how to get their work before audiences and into the marketplace.
It examines areas such as audience development, marketing, cinemas, broadcasters, distributors, film markets, intellectual property rights and digital platforms.
The guide also explores pathways filmmakers can pursue to distribute their work, reach audiences and establish sustainable careers in the industry.
Festival opens its doors to the public
BSIFF emphasises that the festival is not exclusively for people working in the film industry.
Corporate executives, entrepreneurs, young professionals, students, creatives, families, market women, film enthusiasts and members of the public with an interest in cinema are all welcome to participate.
Attendees will have opportunities to watch films, attend discussions and masterclasses, network with other participants, discover new stories and experience Kumasi’s cinema culture.
The festival continues to receive support from UNESCO, while its new partnership with MultiChoice Talent Factory is expected to promote knowledge sharing, skills development and the growth of Africa’s film industry.
Golden Eagle Cinemas and Project Kumasi are also playing important roles in the festival’s activities in Kumasi as organisers work to expand audiences and strengthen cinema culture across Ghana.
For BSIFF, the Kumasi edition represents more than another festival event. It is intended to serve as an international platform with a domestic focus, helping create opportunities for African films, filmmakers and audiences to grow and thrive.
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