How to Fest
Everything you need to know to make the most of your 2023 festival experience.
Attending In-Person
Our Box Office is located inside Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Tickets or a pass are required for all in-person screenings during the festival. Some events are free and open to the public, but RSVP is required. Events at Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Cultural Campus have special ticketing procedures.
Festival Map
Explore downtown Philadelphia and all our official theaters, hotels, and other event venues.
Virtual Guide
All films will be available to stream online, unless otherwise noted. Each film will be released on a set schedule and available to "unlock" for 48 hours from its release time. Once you begin watching you have 24 hours to complete the film.
Accessibility
In order to reach our vision of a liberatory world in which a vast spectrum of experiences are celebrated in the world of arts and culture, BlackStar is working to make our spaces accessible to as many people as possible, including and especially disabled Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks.
Audio Description
Audio description will be available for select films this year. Look for the symbol in the schedule or click the button below for a list of all films with audio descriptions.
Closed Captions
All virtual screenings will have closed captions available. Look for the symbol in the schedule or click the button below for a list of all films with captions.
Open Captions
Select in-person screenings will have open captions available. Look for the symbol in the schedule or click the button below for a list of all films with open captions.
ASL Interpretation
American Sign Language interpretation will be available in-person for all public events (ex. panels and post-screening Q+As). Click the button to explore panels.
Masks Required
Masks are required at all indoor events, except when actively eating or drinking. We recommend using a high-quality mask, like an N95. Please plan to bring your own masks to festival sites, but if you do not have one, one will be provided for you. Masks must remain on while inside the theaters.
Trigger Warnings
A few films have flashing lights which may be disorienting to certain viewers, or other elements which viewers may find disturbing. Look for the symbol in the schedule or film guide and hover over it for more details.
Sensory Friendly Room
A dedicated sensory-friendly room will be available during festival operating hours, located in the Rendell Room on the second floor of the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus. Features of this room include soft seating, yoga mats, low lighting, and a number of low-sensory self-guided activities. We encourage use of this room to decompress from the stimulating environment of a bustling film festival.
Accessible Seating
Wheelchair-accessible seating is available at all screening venues. Explore the accessibility guide for more venue-specific information.
Lactation Room
A private lactation room is available at Suzanne Roberts Theatre. The room includes a private restroom and a door with a lock. A BlackStar team member will be happy to assist you in finding the area.
Wellness
While attending BlackStar we encourage you to take care of yourselves. While you might find the film festival content and experience exciting and joyful, you might also find the experience activating and at times stressful.
With that in mind, we have created a few resources for festival participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
I purchased a ticket for a screening at Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Cultural Campus. What happens next?
If you are purchasing a ticket to attend a screening at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Cultural Campus, you will be directed to an external KimmelCulturalCampus.org webpage to complete your purchase. You will receive an immediate receipt from Kimmel, but a confirmation email from BlackStar with your PDF ticket will be sent to you shortly after your purchase. That same unique ticket, and associated QR code, will appear in your Festival account at that time. This purchase will be reflected in your “My Schedule” page as well, for your convenience and planning purposes. When arriving at the theater you will be required to show the correct QR code to enter.
You may also purchase tickets in-person at the Kimmel Cultural Campus Box Office at any time. These purchases will then be reflected in your Festival account shortly afterwards.
Online sales for all screenings at the Perelman Theater will close one hour before showtime. After that time tickets, if still available, will only be available at the in-person Kimmel Cultural Campus Box Office.
Charges for any tickets purchased for individual event in the Perelman Theater will appear as “Ticket Philadelphia” on your credit card statement.
Purchase an Industry Pass
Industry Passes are available for the 2023 BlackStar Film Festival to pre-approved industry professionals. The cost for a pass is $500. Click here to learn more and apply.
Request a Press Pass
All requests for media credentials must be emailed directly to [email protected]
Please note the following policies:
Credential requests must be submitted by Aug 1 at 5 pm ET to receive advance consideration.
Media credentials will be granted to media personnel on assignment to cover BlackStar events for online and print publications, cable networks and/or radio and television stations. If you are accepted to receive credentials, you will be notified by email with further instructions.
Activating Your Press Pass
If you are approved to cover BlackStar, a confirmation and detailed information regarding your press credentials will be sent to you by email along with instructions for online registration. Once you activate your account you will have access to all films playing online during the 2023 BlackStar Film Festival for an extended period of time, as well as in-person events in Philadelphia. Further information will be sent with confirmed press credentials.
Is there a Member discount if I’m an active member?
Star and Luminary members receive a complimentary All Access pass to the Festival. The pass will be added to your Eventive account automatically at least one week before the Festival. Members do not receive any additional discount on passes and tickets, though all Members do receive discounts on Festival merchandise and other year-round benefits. Learn more at blackstarfest.org/support.
Need more help? Please email [email protected]
Are there discounts for ACCESS cardholders?
BlackStar is offering ACCESS cardholders individual tickets to the virtual festival and in-person events, for $2.00. To receive the discounted tickets, use the discount code “ACCAR23” at checkout when purchasing an individual ticket (not yet available). When arriving for an in-person event, you may be asked to present your ACCESS card at entry.
Are there any discounts for large group purchases?
Yes. Discounts are available for purchases of 10 or more passes. Email [email protected] for more info.
Is there a youth or senior discount?
BlackStar is offering a 25% discount to youth (ages 13 to 21) and seniors (ages 55 and above) on individual tickets. To use the discount enter the code “youthsenior” at checkout when purchasing a ticket. When arriving at the venue you may be asked to verify your age.*
*All children 12 and under are admitted free to in-person events and do not require a pass or ticket to enter.