[3] It was founded in 2012 by Maori Karmael Holmes, with the first BlackStar Film Festival initially conceived as a one-day "microfestival" that, due to the large number of submissions, ultimately turned into a four-day international event.

[3] The first festival included a master class and screening of part of Middle of Nowhere by Ava DuVernay.

[5][6] Later festivals have included films by Arthur Jafa,[7] Ja'Tovia Gary,[8] Terence Nance, Jenn Nkiru,[9] Gabourey Sidibe,[10] Janine Sherman Barrois,[11] Darius Clark Monroe, Shatara Michelle Ford,[12] Garrett Bradley,[13] and Naima Ramos-Chapman.

Panels have included Bradford Young, Rashid Shabazz,[4] Spike Lee, and Tarana Burke.

[14] Yaba Blay, Akiba Solomon, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter have all previously served on the advisory board of the festival.