David Bowie once said, “Music video is the logical fulfillment of art and technological destiny. I see it as an artistic extension. I can visualize the day when the interface of music and video will create an entirely new kind of artist.”
Music videos provide a solid ground for nurturing up-and-coming filmmakers experimenting with their craft; a visual means of expression for musicians, singers, and songwriters. Music videos are films but unfortunately, rarely are they acknowledged as such. The truth is that many music videos employ storytelling, conceptualization, and film production techniques.
The Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF), known for offering value to filmmakers’, awarding and offering distribution opportunities to feature films, student films, short films, documentary films, Ghanaian films, Women films, and Africa-rising films.
For the sixth edition of the Festival, the organizers have announced a new category, the Best Music Video category, which is to award music videos that have strong story-telling, conceptualization, imagery, and film production.
According to the Director of BSIFF, Ms. Philippa Ama Bentuma Arthur, the decision to add a music video category is to “celebrate the production of music videos in Ghana, Africa, and the world and nurture the great partnership between the music and filmmaking communities in Africa especially.
Arthur said that there seems to be an underlying gap between filmmakers and musicians/artists, which needs bridging, and BSIFF is ready to do that.
What are the Criteria for Music Video Submission to BSIFF?
It is simple. BSIFF is accepting 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. All you need to do is visit www.bsiff.org to submit. For further inquiries, contact the BSIFF office on +233 506481853.
What is in it for Submitters?
- BSIFF will promote your music video all over the year on their social media pages especially, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, with a rapidly growing number of followers.
- Your information regarding your music, videos and regular news will be showcased on the BSIFF website, which several monthly visitors and ranks high on search engines.
- Throughout the Festival period, from August 18-22, 2021, your submitted music video will be streamed in a free worldwide online show.
- An opportunity to perform in front of relevant music executives, filmmakers, and a community of music lovers’ during the BlackStar Music Concert(BMC); a music event for budding artists, as part of the BSIFF programming.
- You get a timeslot-as long as your music video- for any content you want to promote (e.g. personal messages, impressions, recent work etc.) during our digital and physical film screenings.
- The best music video will receive a BSIFF trophy.
- The festival itself is widely promoted, and it is the only festival in Ghana and West Africa, focusing on music videos too regardless of budget. Your music video being accepted into BSIFF brings a lot of good reputation.
- You and your team members are welcome to join the opening and award ceremony, taking place in the evening of August 18 and 22, respectively.
The Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) intends to use its platform to showcase independent filmmakers, artists, and musicians to diverse audiences, focusing on celebrating the awe and joy brought by the marriage between music and moving images.
Other categories open for submission include documentary film, feature film, short film, student film, women in film, animated film, Africa rising, and Ghanaian films (Odehye3 category).
Submission to BSIFF ends on March 31, 2021. For more details about submission, go to www.bsiff.org or contact +233 506481853
