Internship description provided by BlackStar Projects
BlackStar is a filmmaker-centric and POC-led organization that brings an intersectional analysis of race, gender and power into the work while providing high quality opportunities for artists and critics, and a thoughtfully curated experience for audiences. Founded to focus on the work of Black filmmakers (of the African diaspora), we are now dedicated to solidarity across artists and communities of color, including Black, Asian, Latinx, Arab, Native, and Indigenous while still centering anti-Black racism as core to our racial justice analysis.
BlackStar is focused on the following issues:
- POC Authorship and not individual representation
- Aesthetic quality over celebrity
- Supporting a POC artists community, not just producing an event
- Curating a high quality and accessible program
BlackStar’s core programs include:
- BlackStar Film Festival
- Curatorial Projects
- Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab
- Seen, journal of film and visual culture
- William and Louise Greaves Filmmaker Seminar
Digital Content Assistant
The Digital Content Assistant (DCA) position provides a unique opportunity to develop writing, research, content creation, social media strategy, and outreach as a member of BlackStar Projects’ Communications Team. The DCA will work closely with BlackStar’s communications team in support of the 2025 BlackStar Film Festival.
This role will give the DCA hands-on experience in learning the marketing ins and outs of crafting a long lead promotional campaign across various formats, as well as the tactics and best practices it takes to gain and grow event attendance.
From this internship opportunity, the candidate will gain:
- Content creation experience, including making video for social media
- Experience with marketing and social media strategizing
- Knowledge on Accessibility best practices as it pertains to communications and writing
- Experience working with a cross-functional team
- Multi-day, live event production experience
- Partnership outreach and audience engagement
- Understanding of advertising strategies
- Understanding of how to leverage data to execute strategic marketing promo
We are currently operating with a hybrid model of work, with two (2) business days a week required in BlackStar’s office in Philadelphia. As with all presenting arts organizations, this position will require some weekend and evening work hours on occasion. During the week of the BlackStar Film Festival, all staff are required to work in-person.
The Search
BlackStar Projects is seeking an individual to provide support to BlackStar's Communications team. Some experience with social media and/or videography is required.
The ideal candidate should have a strong interest in uplifting the work of Black, Brown and Indigenous communities, as well as interests in BlackStar’s three key areas—filmmaking, visual arts, and media arts.
A demonstrated commitment to intersectional feminism and social justice is also desired.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities of the Digital Content Assistant include:
Festival Communications
- Writing and research
- Creates alt text for film stills
- Proofreads website and other texts
- Assists with engagement and outreach activities, as needed
- Helps develop and record social media content, as needed
- Attends weekly comms team meetings, creative strategy meetings and marketing meetings
- Participate in ideation sessions for social content
- Works with the comms team to develop ideas for promotional digital campaigns
Festival Engagement
- Supports BlackStar Marketing Manager and social media coordinator, as needed
- Acts as runner during the film festival
- Provides videography assistance for The Daily Jawn stage
Timeframe
This is a temporary, full-time internship, May 27 - August 5, 2025.
BlackStar Projects is committed to the principles of equal opportunity employment at every level without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expression, age, non-job-related disability, or political affiliation.
Application Procedure
To apply for this or any of the other SHIP internships, please follow the instructions at the Summer Humanities Internship Program homepage.