BY KELSEY BROWN When Ufuoma Essi moved to Philadelphia in 2016 for a year-long study abroad program from London, she wasn’t making art or films. Now, Essi reflects on that time as helping her “explore filmmaking as a real possibility.” “Philadelphia has been super formative for me,”...
BY GABE CASTRO The 12th annual BlackStar Film Festival, dedicated to uplifting visionary Black, Brown, and Indigenous media creators, returns from August 2 to August 6, 2023. With new venues, 93 films representing 31 countries, revamped live programming, and amplified Philly creativity, the festival ensures there’s...
BY C.M. CROCKFORD Even the most jawn-centric, born and raised Philadelphia resident, if asked, might dismissively condense the city’s filmmaking history into a few famous titles. Philadelphia, of course, then there’s the Rocky series, M. Night Shyamalan…oh, and Blow Out, right? The Fourth of July scene?...
BY GABE CASTRO The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Artist Spotlight highlighting local filmmakers and moving image artists doing unique and impactful work. Drew Swedberg is an artistic collaborator who uses his passion for his community and knowledge of the filmmaking process to help create documentary...
BY ANDRE CHERRY Content warning: this article contains potentially sexually explicit images. The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Organization Spotlight highlighting a local film or moving image focused organization, business, or collective doing unique and impactful work. Philadelphia is home to a unique art organization that focuses...
BY ARTA BARZANJI Please refer to the official websites for events to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information about ticketing, reservations, delays, re-scheduling, cancellations, and other guest policies for venues, including relevant COVID-19 requirements. When I penned my first monthly arts round-up for cinéSPEAK around...
BY ANDRE CHERRY The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Organization Spotlight highlighting a local film or moving image focused organization, business, or collective doing unique and impactful work. While Philadelphia is home to a thriving creative scene, it can sometimes be challenging for film and media...
BY ANDRE CHERRY On June 22, 2023, Big Picture Alliance (BPA) returns with its Big Picture Film Fest for the third year. Big Picture Alliance is a Philadelphia-based youth media non-profit which strives to “empower Philadelphia youth to define their own narrative through filmmaking and digital...
BY KELSEY BROWN Despite the documentary Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn opening with Pennsylvania State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta in a suit, filmmaker Tim Harris is adamant it is more than a political film. While the film follows Kenyatta’s historic journey as the first openly gay...
BY RASHEED ZAIRE AJAMU Little Richard was an exceptional musician who possessed a unique voice and personality. Despite facing internal obstacles due to his identity as a Black, queer, and religious individual, his impact on music was enormous. The documentary feature Little Richard: I Am Everything chronicles...