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MARCH 5-7, 2027 STANFORD UNIVERSITY PALO ALTO, CA
HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STANFORD UNIVERSITY’S INSTITUTE FOR DIVERSITY IN THE ARTS
INTRODUCTION
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Named after visionary filmmakers William and Louise Greaves, who together co-produced landmark films such as Symbiopsychotaxiplasm and Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey, this annual multi-day gathering is for Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists working in moving images. Participants explore the technical and creative aspects of media making, while having honest conversations about the successes and pitfalls of their work. Filmmakers also have the opportunity to share and receive feedback on works-in-progress, engage with filmmakers who are redefining industrial practices and visual language, and explore new storytelling models emerging through the use of virtual reality, augmented reality, and transmedia projects. Our environment considers the intersection of cinema and visual arts, and is exclusively designed for BIPOC artists to focus and not manage the added burden of representation.
GREAVES SEMINAR 2026, PHOTO BY PABLO ALARCON JR. GREAVES SEMINAR 2027
BLACKSTARPROJECTS.ORG/SEMINAR
ABOUT BLACKSTAR
BlackStar Projects creates the spaces and resources needed to uplift Black, Brown and Indigenous artists working outside of the confines of genre. We do this by producing year-round programs including film screenings, an annual film festival, a filmmaker seminar, and a journal of visual culture. These programs provide artists with opportunities for collaborations with other artists, audiences, funders, and distributors. Since its founding, BlackStar has expanded to meet the holistic needs of our audiences and currently offers a suite of programming, including: • BLACKSTAR FILM FESTIVAL • SEEN JOURNAL • GREAVES SEMINAR • YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING AND CURATORIAL PROJECTS
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It was a pleasure to be in a space that prioritized conversation… It was an opportunity to listen, think deeply and engage with others. There are very few events or gatherings that take this approach, and I don't know of any that focus specifically on artists of color, so I greatly appreciate BlackStar's commitment to creating this space. — 2026 GREAVES SEMINAR PARTICIPANT
GREAVES SEMINAR 2026, PHOTO BY PABLO ALARCON JR. GREAVES SEMINAR 2027
BLACKSTARPROJECTS.ORG/SEMINAR
GREAVES SEMINAR 2026
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The sixth annual William and Louise Greaves Filmmaker Seminar was held in March 2026 in partnership with Stanford University’s Institute for Diversity in the Arts (IDA). A concentrated community of nearly 120 filmmakers and cultural workers joined us for three days of programming. Speakers for the 2026 seminar included Michèle Stephenson, Onye Anyanwu, Chinaka Hodge, and Lendl Tellington. WATCH THE 2026 SEMINAR RE-CAP VIDEO
GREAVES SEMINAR 2027
BLACKSTARPROJECTS.ORG/SEMINAR
PARTICIPANT SNAPSHOT
5 2026 PARTICIPANT CAREER STAGES
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This is a very special and sacred space. I feel that people spoke more honestly about the making process than what often happens in other spaces. — 2026 PARTICIPANT
Feels like a luxury to dedicate time for deep dives on creative process and collaboration especially for filmmakers in the diaspora and of color. 47.7% EMERGING CAREER
— 2026 PARTICIPANT
46.8% MID-CAREER 5.4% ESTABLISHED CAREER
GREAVES SEMINAR 2027
BLACKSTARPROJECTS.ORG/SEMINAR
2027 PROGRAMMING SNEAK PEEK
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SESSIONS
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PRACTITIONER COMMENTARIES
GREAVES SEMINAR 2027
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FILM SCREENINGS
NETWORKING EVENTS
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
WORK-INPROGRESS SCREENING
BLACKSTARPROJECTS.ORG/SEMINAR
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
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SEMINAR: $30,000
WELCOME RECEPTION: $10,000
BRAND ACTIVATION: $10-15K
• First tier logo placement in all promotional material
• Second tier logo placement in digital promotional material
• One Single Brand Activation at one location during the seminar
• Collaborative IG Reels and mention in all social posts in advance of Seminar
• One social media post collaboration post in advance of the Seminar
• Third tier logo on promotional material
• Ad before all screenings and Logo on five hold screens prior to Headliner events
• Ad before one screening
• One social media mention in advance of the Seminar
• Logo inclusion in video recap
• Brand signage for on-site activation
• Option to include product in gift bags
• Option to include screen Ad / logo projection
• Logo projection at Keynote Address • Branding on signage, lanyards for name tags
• Two Seminar passes
• Option to include product in gift bags
• Logo inclusion in video recap
• Logo inclusion in video recap
• Option to include product in gift bags
• Six Seminar passes
• Four Seminar passes
Your investment removes barriers to participation and creates opportunities for Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists to gather, experiment, and deepen their practices. Sponsorship helps support travel, affordable registration, meals and hospitality, artist development, and rigorous programming, making space for the creative and intellectual exchange that is at the heart of this learning space. GREAVES SEMINAR 2027
BLACKSTARPROJECTS.ORG/SEMINAR
PARTNER WITH US
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We are seeking partners to engage our Seminar audience and help implement our mission to create collaborations that uplift the work of Black, Brown and Indigenous artists. Customizable packages are available starting at $10k. Underwriting for Fellowship attendee packages is also available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: JEANETTE LLOYD PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR JEANETTE@BLACKSTARPROJECTS.ORG HEIDI SAMAN PROGRAM DIRECTOR HEIDI@BLACKSTARPROJECTS.ORG GREAVES SEMINAR 2027
GREAVES SEMINAR 2026, PHOTO BY PABLO ALARCON JR. BLACKSTARPROJECTS.ORG/SEMINAR