August 2, 2025

Black Music as Resistance | Beyond Resilience x BlackStar Film Festival

Black Music as Resistance
BlackStar Film Festival 2025
Saturday, August 2, 2025, 5:30pm ET
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Daily Jawn Stage
300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Co-presented by Firelight Media’s Beyond Resilience Series

With Stanley Nelson, Christine Turner, Elegance Bratton, and Joseph Patel, moderated by DJ Lynnée Denise

RSVP TO ATTEND

Black music has always been a tool of resistance — pushing against societal norms, reshaping cultural expectations and amplifying the voices of those demanding change. This panel explores the deep connection between Black musical innovation and acts of defiance, from funk’s rejection of rigid structures in the 1960s and 1970s to Sun Ra’s refusal to be confined by genre. Along the way, we’ll examine films that capture funk’s political power and cultural legacy, revealing how cinema has helped preserve and amplify its revolutionary spirit. Join us for a powerful conversation on how Black artists have challenged limitations and, in doing so, created timeless movements of sonic and social revolution.

June 20, 2024

Beyond Resilience Masterclass: Making Music Docs that Sing

Firelight Media hosted a Beyond Resilience Masterclass with filmmakers behind some of the most lauded Black music documentaries of the decade.

May 10, 2024

Filming with Family | Beyond Resilience x CAAMFest Filmmaker Summit 2024

Firelight Media's Beyond Resilience series co-presented a panel at CAAMFest Filmmaker Summit in San Francisco.

March 7, 2024

Interrogating the Festival to Awards Pipeline | Beyond Resilience

Firelight Media and Distribution Advocates hosted a conversation about navigating the festival to awards pipeline for documentary filmmakers.

January 25, 2024

The Optics of Islam | Beyond Resilience

A conversation with filmmakers and scholars about Muslim and MENASA representation.

December 7, 2023

The Documentary System is Broken. Now What? | Beyond Resilience

How can we band together to (re)build a system that will ensure independent filmmakers can thrive?

November 1, 2023

Palestinian Voices | Beyond Resilience

Beyond Resilience, with support from Field of Vision, is proud to be a community partner for the Arab Film & Media Institute's 'Palestinian Voices' program.

November 15, 2023

Navigating the Ethical and Business Landscape of Artificial Intelligence | Beyond Resilience

A conversation about the evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on documentary filmmaking, presented with DOC NYC PRO.

September 21, 2023

Let's Talk Money | Beyond Resilience

Join Firelight Media for a conversation about creating work, profiting from that work, and creating a sustainable career in nonfiction film.


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