The organisers of the Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) are accepting submissions ahead of the 7th edition of the event aimed at discovering, displaying, and celebrating the works of independent film artistes in Ghana and Africa.

Making the announcement on social media, the organisers urged eligible filmmakers to submit their works for various awards including; Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Documentary, Best Animated Film among others.

Interested candidates can submit their projects on the Black Star International Film Festival website. The deadline for submission is March 31, 2022.

The film festival is hoping to display the works of talented filmmakers not just to audiences on the continent but across the globe as well and get rewarded for their work.

“In 2020, BSIFF offered the Yaa Asantewa-GOETHE award valued at $1,500 to the Ghanaian film, “Heroes of Africa.” In 2017, BSIFF offered the Yaa Asantewa-UNDP awards valued at $3,000 each given to six winning filmmakers,” BSIFF noted on their Instagram page.

Organisers aim at building a community of film enthusiasts and providing a platform where they can connect, network, foster the exchange of cultures, and explore business opportunities and investments.

Below are the award categories for the 2022 edition;

- Best Documentary Film: A non-fiction film about real events and people, often avoiding traditional narrative structures. Documentary [is] the creative treatment of actuality.

- Best Feature Film: Should be 60 mins or more long.

- Best Short Film: The film should be less than 60 min. The film is considered short once it's less than 60 mins.

- Best Student Film: This category is set to award student filmmakers thus, the film must be made entirely by students and without financial or technical support from broadcasters. Evidence of a student card and an email confirmation from the Head of the department is a must.

- Best Women in Film: Film must have a predominantly female crew. Any three of the Producer, directors, cinematographers, and/or Writers must be women.

- Best Animated Film: An animated film from any part of the world.

- Best African Film (The Black Star Award): Film that connects to the special story of Africa and stories that highlight special issues peculiar to the continent of Africa. Films must have a predominantly African crew. Any three of the Producer, directors, cinematographers, and/or Writers must be Africans.

- Best Music Video: To award music videos that have strong story-telling, conceptualization, and film production. We accept music video submissions from all over the world. Music Videos must be under 10 minutes and from any year regardless of budget, popularity, or language.