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.

November 8, 2021

Spark Fund – Technical Workshop for Applicants

Planning to apply for Firelight Media's Spark Fund? Join us for this technical workshop to get detailed instructions about how to apply.

September 16, 2021

This Body | Beyond Resilience Virtual Screening + Q&A

Firelight Media and WORLD Channel present a free virtual screening of the new short film 'This Body,' directed by Zac Manuel as part of the Hindsight series.

August 26, 2021

Death Is Our Business | Beyond Resilience Virtual Screening + Q&A

A livestream Q&A with 'Death Is Our Business' filmmaker Jacqueline Olive and special guests on the one-year anniversary of its filming in New Orleans.

July 29, 2021

Now Let Us Sing | Beyond Resilience Virtual Screening + Q&A

Firelight Media hosted a Beyond Resilience screening + livestream Q&A with filmmaker Dilsey Davis to celebrate the digital premiere of the Hindsight documentary short film series.

June 5, 2020

Future Visions | Beyond Resilience

Firelight Media hosted a conversation about what filmmaker-centric leadership could look like, and the possibilities for industry-wide structural change in this moment of upheaval.

June 12, 2020

Production in Times of Upheaval | Beyond Resilience

How does a documentary filmmaker fulfill their role in the midst of a pandemic and an uprising?

June 19, 2020

Tulsa, Juneteenth, and the Path Toward Economic Justice | Beyond Resilience

Firelight Media joined The Movement for Black Lives' national call to action on June 19 with a panel conversation that explored the history of Juneteenth and the burning of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, and grappled with the path toward economic justice for Black America.

June 26, 2020

Can Impact Go Virtual + How? | Beyond Resilience

As physical distancing continues to be the new norm, how can we still make an impact when apart? Sonya Childress, senior fellow at the Perspective Fund, takes us through case studies of documentary film campaigns that have launched in this moment and raise key questions around audience access, care, and how to reach social justice impact goals.


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