BlackStar Film Fest 2015

BlackStar Film Fest screening held at ICA Philadelphia

Every year the BlackStar Film Fest comes to Philadelphia to showcase films and host other events to celebrate African culture. This year I had the pleasure to attend the film fest to watch a double feature screening of two films based in South Africa.

Screenshot from film 'Ndi Vumeni (Faniswa)

Every year the BlackStar Film Fest comes to Philadelphia to showcase films and host other events to celebrate African culture. This year I had the pleasure to attend the film fest to watch a double feature screening of two films based in South Africa.

The fact that both films was based in South Africa (one in Capetown and another in Johannesburg) really heightened my interested in seeing the films since I have traveled to Capetown, South Africa last year. The first film that was shown was 'Ndi Vumeni (Faniswa)', about actress and performing artist Faniswa Yisa and the struggle black South Africans go through with getting acceptance in their own city. Through performing arts, Faniswa and a youth dance group, Moving Stories, from the outlying township Khayelitsha, fights to gain back their acceptance in Capetown.

The other film, The Mahoyo Project, based in Johannesburg, South Africa tells the story of three artistic youths from Sweden who collaborated with the creative youth of South Africa to build a bond and empower woman through the arts. Both films share the same message of using art to share powerful movements and change social injustice. After seeing both films, it definitely break down stereotypes of South Africa and show another side most media outlets won't show you. South Africa is fast become a vibrant and colorful place where I believe the next movement of black empowerment through art & culture will definitely come from.

In the words of Faniswa Yisa
 " I rather make art then scream"

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