Project Description
After more than 10 years of absence, Black Soil Film Festival is back, and bigger than ever. Originating in 2003 as Europe’s first hip-hop film festival, it has now expanded its focus to encompass the broader scope of black culture. It’s a celebration of the African diaspora, which is at the heart of the emerging black European art movement NOW!
After a successful pilot bringing the festival back in 2022, Black Soil is a continuous platform for Black Culture with a focus on film. We highlight films that both originate and result from black culture, and everything in between, and screen the very best of independent cinema. Presenting standalone film screenings in national cinemas, as well as film screenings in connection to music concerts, theater, debate and talks, and literature performances, and/or in collaboration with other festivals all year round. Black Soil festival weekend takes place every year in The Hague, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam in December. It offers an immersive experience, featuring insightful talks, thought-provoking short films, inspiring feature-length productions, and notable concerts.
More information about ongoing events: www.blacksoilfilmfestival.com
HISTORY (2003 – 2009)
Black Soil Film Festival was founded in 2003 by Philip Powel and Sasha Dees as Europe’s first festival for hip-hop-based cinema. From 2003 to 2009, six editions took place in Rotterdam and five editions in Amsterdam in various locations. In addition to the film program, there was also a short film competition (Black Soil Short Visionaries) in collaboration with MTV Netherlands. During these six editions, there were shows with Duvelduvel, Opgezwolle, and the American HipHop band Ultramagnetic MCs, among others, afterparties with DJ Premier, DJ Spinna, Rich Medina, and Jazzy Jeff, panels with international guests like Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant, networking events with several European HipHop festivals, and a film program with over 70 HipHop-based films from around the world. From 2004 until 2010, selections of films were shown as Black Soil presents programs in other cities in the Netherlands and internationally in Finland, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Curacao, England, the USA, and Suriname.
