The Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) is set to hold its 11th edition from 24 to 27 September 2026 in Kumasi, marking a significant return to the Ashanti Region. Organised under the theme “Film and Global Culture: The New Wave of African Cinema,” the four-day event will take place at Golden Eagle Cinemas, which serves as the official venue partner.

Founded in 2015 by Ghanaian filmmaker, actress and producer Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, BSIFF has grown into Ghana’s longest-running international film festival. It was established to promote African cinema while placing strong emphasis on the business of film including distribution, audience development, industry networking and practical skills training.

The festival’s guiding principle remains “bringing cinema closer to the people.”

This year’s programme is structured around four interconnected pillars: local language cinema, building African audiences, mental health for creatives, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Organisers say these themes will shape not only the film selections but also the workshops, masterclasses, industry panels and conversations that run alongside the screenings.

The official selection features films from 11 countries, chosen from submissions that represented 42 nations. Ghana holds a prominent place in the lineup through a dedicated Ghanaian Showcase and appearances across other categories including documentary, Africa Rising, student films, animation, AI-generated works and Kumawood. Among the local titles are Legacy Africa, Ashes of Accra, Love Is Death (Odo Ye Wu), King of Tema, Sesime, Home, Or Our Journey Is Still Long, We Won’t Let You Poison Us and Suluku (The Human Totem).

International works span narrative features, documentaries and experimental forms, reflecting the festival’s dual commitment to global dialogue and the strengthening of African storytelling. Categories also include special screenings designed to broaden the conversation around contemporary cinema on the continent.

The decision to host the 2026 edition in Kumasi is deliberate. Festival organisers have stated that placing the event outside Accra allows it to engage new audiences and support the growth of Ghana’s wider film market. Golden Eagle Cinemas will provide the main screening venues, creating a central hub for both local and visiting filmmakers, industry professionals, students and the general public.

Beyond the Screening

Beyond screenings, BSIFF continues its year-round educational work through initiatives such as the Juliet Asante Mentorship Series and various masterclasses. These programmes aim to equip emerging creatives with practical tools in storytelling, production, business development and career sustainability.

The festival also maintains a focus on mental health support for those working in the often high-pressure creative industries.

Over the years, BSIFF has facilitated partnerships intended to expand market access for African films. These include efforts to bridge language barriers between English- and French-speaking territories in West Africa, opening potential new distribution pathways. Organisers repeatedly stress that while international recognition remains valuable, building strong domestic and regional audiences is essential for long-term industry growth.

With Africa’s large and youthful population, the festival argues that some of the most significant opportunities for African cinema lie on the continent itself. Questions of language, quality, infrastructure, affordability and marketing sit at the heart of this year’s discussions. Local language cinema, in particular, is being positioned as a potential bridge to deeper audience connection without limiting global reach.

Registration for attendance and membership is open through the official website bsiff.org. The festival welcomes filmmakers, producers, students, policymakers, technology innovators, entrepreneurs and general audiences.

A related Black Star Music Concert is also planned as part of the broader cultural programming.

As the countdown to 24 September continues, BSIFF is releasing individual film announcements, posters and screening details. The 11th edition arrives at a moment when Ghanaian and African cinema continue to gain international attention, yet still face structural challenges in funding, distribution and sustainable audience development.

By returning to Kumasi and placing Ghanaian stories at the centre of its programme, the Black Star International Film Festival seeks to reinforce its role as both a showcase and a practical platform for the next chapter of African film.

The four days in September will offer screenings, industry engagement and conversations aimed at shaping a more connected and resilient cinematic landscape across the continent.