204 x 254 mm, 144 pages

Pennsylvania, US

Biannual

First published in 2020

Editor-in-chief: Heidi Saman

Art director: Leo Brooks & Parallel Work

The journal of film and visual culture by BlackStar, Seen explores ‘what it means to see and bear witness for Black, Brown and Indigenous communities globally.’ Insightful and beautifully designed, it offers a platform for voices reshaping visual culture and expanding how stories are told.

This Spring 2026 issue marks not only the 10th edition of Seen, but also the 15th anniversary of the BlackStar Film Festival. In uncertain times, the issue offers a welcomed moment of reflection and celebration. Inside, festival director Nehad Khader revisits his favourite films and memories since the festival’s 2012 founding; Roya Ratsegar chronicles BlackStar’s evolution into a multi-media organisation; and Róisín Tapponni speaks with visual artist Arthur Jafa, whose video essay ‘Love Is The Message, The Message Is Death’ made its world premiere at the festival. Alongside these pieces, you’ll discover the usual selection of discussions about films spanning the animated to the deeply autobiographical.

On the Journal
At work with founder Maori Karmael Holmes: ‘The magazine allows us to talk about films and television series and exhibitions that aren't necessarily a part of the (Blackstar film) festival and gives us an opportunity to dive deeply into some artists' bodies of work as well as get more into their backgrounds. I especially love the artist-to-artist pairings. The magazine can also have a life of its own and reach audience who might never be interested in attending or participating in the festival. And the magazine is of course an archive.’
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seen.blackstarfest.org