Instagram story viewer> @steffisees> Tagged

Stefani Saintonge

@steffisees

1.7K

followers

1492

following

Filmmaker, @newnegressfilmsociety member

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Two weeks ago, we gathered at BAM for the fourth Black Women’s Film Conference, and we’re still thinking about the conversations, the films, the moments of connection, and the community that made the day so fulfilling and special.

We’re so grateful to the filmmakers Aicha Cherif, Joie Lee, Shirikiana Gerima, Tchaiko Omawale, Akosua Adoma Owusu, Yace Sula, and Johanné Gómez Terrero for sharing their work and making space for meaningful exchange.

A special thank you to BAM for hosting us, and to our partners and sponsors BlackStar, Freedom Together Foundation, Firelight Media, Critical Minded, and Darthmouth University for helping bring this year’s conference to life.

And lastly, thank you to everyone who continues to show up for New Negress Film Society and support our commitment to creating spaces that center Black women and non-binary filmmakers and their work.

We’re grateful to be building this community with you. 🖤

📸 @rashidazagon

3

9

“Wrinkled Collar” - Written and Directed by Abigail Espinal

For the past two days I have been and remain to be utterly speechless—never in my life did I think I would be presenting a short film of this caliber with a team of such immense talent to a crowd as beautifully artistic as the cosmos. Suffice to say, I am eternally grateful to the Newark LGBTQ+ Film Festival and Community Center for taking a chance on my admittedly very rough script.

Thank you to my incredible cast and crew for all of their outstanding contributions and support! This isn’t my film—it is ours, and I will never stop promoting y’all for years to come because you guys are the best!

Thank you to Stefani and Demilade for making this script what it is today! Without you guys, this film would be very, very different (honestly, worse, lol). I am so thankful to have worked with or even just to have met you guys!

Thank you so much to Valencia, Cathy, Rev. Taylor, Auntie Gale, Denise, and Beatrice for being so incredible, kind, and supportive during the wonderfully crazy and challenging process!

And finally, thank you to Sakia Gunn, who is the reason we are all here together to celebrate art. I am extremely sorry that it was tragedy which gave us these opportunities and beautiful moments. I really wish you could have presented the films yourself. And this is why I will never stop supporting the Newark LGBTQ+ Film Festival—to keep her memory and the art which came from it alive forever!

(PS: the incredible photos are courtesy of @wildduckphotos)

(PPS: never stop creating)

#trans #transgender #film #womeninfilm #filmmakinglife

206

20

A post cannot contain, 2025 🩵🖤🤍

397

40

"This is the spiritual film relative of the movie '13th'." - Cedric after seeing @ForVenidaForKalief at Cucalorus Film Festval @cucalorus

We are deeply honored to be mentioned alongside Ava DuVernay's @ava groundbreaking @13THFilm This comparison reminds us why we do this work—to continue vital conversations about justice.

Share your reflections on Letterboxd—link in bio.

FOR VENIDA, FOR KALIEF is a deeply emotional film that follows the legacy of Kalief Browder via the poetry of his mother, Venida. By taking us on a poetic journey between past, present, and future it exposes systemic injustice while centering a mother’s unwavering love, a family’s journey toward healing, and a community determined to see the notorious Rikers Island Jail in New York City close by August 2027.

#CloseRikers #ForVenidaForKalief #KaliefBrowder #Documentary #SocialJustice #EndSolitaryConfinement #RenewableRikers #CloseRikers #EndMassIncarceration
#bailreform #NYCPoetry #explorepage

31

0

📽️ “Untitled (How High The Moon)” Directed by Rashida Bumbray

Rashida Bumbray’s short film Untitled (How High the Moon) reimagines her mother’s childhood visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the lens of magical realism.

Come see NYSFF’s screening of “Untitled (How High the Moon)” on November 10th at 7:30 pm. This film will be part of Block 5 📽️

#nysff2025 #shortfilm #filmfestival🎬

8

0

Flying home on the BlackStar Line.. What a beautiful festival weekend. So much gratitude to @blackstarfest for presenting my film, “Untitled (How High the Moon)”, to the jurors for nominating it among the experimental works. And to the Black Star community and audience for the “Favorite Experimental Film” Award. I’m over the moon. During this intense time it is such a gift to share space with so many incredible filmmakers and artists from the global majority. As 101- year old Marshall Allen of the Sun Ra Arkestra reminded us, following Christine Turner’s Doc on Sun Ra, “Space Is Still the Place”.

353

81

✨Honorable Mention✨

Peace and Love to Philly and our @blackstarfest film fam for an unforgettable week of cinema, community and care.

Congrats to all the amazing filmmakers who screened incredible work and to our BlackStar Pitch comrades who bravely and boldly shared your vision.

Congrats to the winners and thanks to the judges for bestowing an ✨Honorable Mention✨ on team Sunshine & Sandy!

Grateful for the moment, excited for what’s to come!✨

205

43

✨ BlackStar kicks off today! We’re so proud to celebrate three New Negress Film Society members showing their work at the festival this weekend:

Friday, August 1 – Axel by Stefani Saintonge
Saturday, August 2 – The Debutantes by Contessa Gayle
Sunday, August 3 – Bloodlines, Mississippi by Crystal Kayiza

#BSFF25 #cinemaforliberation

58

1

THE DEBUTANTES is coming to @blackstarfest
Saturday Aug. 2nd at 12:30p. See you in Philly! 🖤💫

97

8

We are excited to share the dynamic list of narrative and experimental films that will make their world premiere at the 2025 BlackStar Film Festival! ⁠
⁠
This list features our very own Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab short films, alongside films from around the globe that challenge and expand our visions for the future. ⁠
⁠
Get your pass and join us this summer from July 31 – August 3 to see these stories on screen for the first time. Read more about the films and plan your fest at the link in our bio or visit blackstarfest.org/festival. ⁠
⁠
#BSFF25 #CinemaForLiberation A graphic that says “World Premieres. Experimental + Narrative”.

362

16

📽️ TOMORROW: Join us for FREE screenings of a tender, bold collection of short films from members of The New Negress Film Society! 🫂 These works explore many shades of Black girlhood — tracing coming-of-age moments, quiet revolutions, powerful expression and rich interior worlds. 🌍

🎤 Afterwards, stay for a panel with the directors!

🎟️ Claim your free tickets using the link in our bio!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/newark-black-film-festival-new-negress-film-society-shorts-tickets-1289607614089

#ReelBlack #NewarkBlackFilmFestival #NBFF2025

3

0

We are thrilled to share with you the official film selections of the 2025 BlackStar Film Festival! After receiving a record-shattering number of submissions, our programmers have crafted a powerful lineup of 92 films from around the world. The films in this year’s program embody our vision of cinema as a tool for liberation. ⁠
⁠
Passes to the festival are now on sale, get your all access pass and join us from July 31 – August 3 in-person in Philadelphia or pick up a virtual pass and stream films online from around the world. ⁠
⁠
🔗 Read more about the festival films and buy your pass at the link in our bio or visit blackstarfest.org/festival.⁠
⁠
#CinemaForLiberation #BSFF25 A graphic that says “BlackStar Film Festival 2025 Film Program”.

1k

91