For Sophia Abraham-Raveson ’18, working for BlackStar Film Festival as the summer fellow is a chance to apply her interest in literature of the African diaspora to the intersection of art and activism.
An English major and an Africana studies concentrator, Abraham-Raveson first connected with BlackStar last summer, and was asked to return to the organization again this year to assist with the 2018 festival.
The BlackStar Film Festival, which kicks off tomorrow and runs through Aug. 5, celebrates the visual and storytelling traditions of the African diaspora and of global indigenous communities by showcasing films by black people from around the world. Abraham-Raveson has been enjoying the opportunity to explore these narratives through a cinematic lens.
“As I saw last summer, the film festival is incredible and I am very happy to put work into supporting it,” she said. “This summer, I hope to learn more about creative communities in Philadelphia, see some amazing films, and learn more about arts administration, so that I can continue this work elsewhere when the festival ends in August.”
Abraham-Raveson appreciates the experience in this field that her summer internship provides, especially since she is looking for work in Philly’s art world once the festival is over.
“I am so grateful to be working for BlackStar now,” she said, “and hopefully I will find something else I like to do when this ends.”
The BlackStar Film Festival takes place at venues across Philadelphia including the Institute of Contemporary Art, Drexel’s Leonard Pearlstein Gallery, and the Lightbox Film Center. A full schedule of events can be found here.
“Where They’re Headed” is a blog series reporting on the post-collegiate plans of recent Haverford graduates.
Photo courtesy of Sophia Abraham-Raveson ’18