BSIFF 2026: 4 Days of Cinema, Culture and Masterclasses

Kumasi is set for four days of cinema, culture, learning, and industry engagement as the Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) brings its 11th edition to the Ashanti Region from September 24 to 27, 2026.

The festival will take place at Golden Eagle Cinemas, Kumasi, under the theme “Film & Global Culture: The New Wave of African Cinema.” It will bring together filmmakers, actors, industry professionals, students, creatives, entrepreneurs, young professionals, and film lovers from Ghana and beyond.

12 Countries, One Festival

Following submissions from 42 countries, films from 12 countries have been selected for BSIFF 2026: Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, the United States, South Africa, Zimbabwe, China, Cameroon, Singapore, the Dominican Republic, Russia, and Eswatini.

The programme will feature documentaries, animation, student films, African and international cinema, Ghanaian films, Kumawood, AI-generated content, music videos, short-form storytelling, interactive content, and vertical dramas.

A key focus of this year’s festival is local-language cinema and audience development, with BSIFF exploring how African filmmakers can tell stories rooted in their cultures and languages while building audiences at home and reaching wider markets.

Four Days of Films, Conversations, and Masterclasses

The festival opens on Thursday, September 24, with the Opening Ceremony and the launch of BSIFF’s Mental Health for Creatives initiative. Discussions on intellectual property and AI and the Future of African Storytelling will also feature, followed by film screenings and an Evening Cinema Music Party.

On Friday, September 25, the program turns to the business of film, with sessions covering the National Film Authority’s Film Fund, selling films to television, local-language cinema, and film distribution.

Saturday, September 26, will focus strongly on practical learning. Actor Aba Arthur will lead the Bringing Characters to Life acting masterclass, while Kene Mkparu will lead an Audience Development Masterclass. Creative professional Obinna Okerekeocha will also lead an AI Masterclass designed to explore practical applications of artificial intelligence in filmmaking.

Film screenings, networking, and industry engagement will continue throughout the day.

The festival concludes on Sunday, September 27, with final screenings, a Ugandan closing film, and the Closing Ceremony & Awards, followed by the BSIFF Rooftop After Party.

Launch of The African Filmmaker’s Roadmap

A major highlight of BSIFF 2026 will be the launch of The African Filmmaker’s Roadmap: From Film to Audience, Market & Distribution, a new 200-plus-page practical resource by BSIFF founder Juliet Asante.

The book, which carries a foreword by Moses Babatope, Founder and Group CEO of Nile Media Entertainment Group, addresses the journey filmmakers face after completing a film, covering audiences, marketing, cinemas, broadcasters, distributors, rights, platforms, and distribution opportunities.

BSIFF says the resource is designed to provide practical guidance for filmmakers seeking to move their work from production to audiences and sustainable careers.

More Than a Film Festival

BSIFF 2026 is also designed to attract audiences beyond the filmmaking community. Students, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, young professionals, creatives, families, market women, and film lovers are all invited to experience the festival.

For BSIFF, bringing the festival to Kumasi goes beyond changing its venue. The move forms part of a wider effort to bring cinema closer to audiences and strengthen Ghana’s domestic film ecosystem.

The festival continues to enjoy support from UNESCO, while its collaboration with MultiChoice Talent Factory is expected to contribute to knowledge exchange, skills development, and the wider African film ecosystem. Golden Eagle Cinemas and Project Kumasi are also supporting the festival’s Kumasi journey.

With four days of films, masterclasses, industry conversations, networking, and entertainment, BSIFF 2026 is set to create a space where audiences can discover new stories while engaging with the people and ideas shaping African cinema.

BSIFF 2026
Theme: Film & Global Culture: The New Wave of African Cinema
Dates: September 24–27, 2026
Venue: Golden Eagle Cinemas, Kumasi
Website: www.bsiff.org

Registration is open.

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