Five more must-sees from the BlackStar Film Festival

The BlackStar Film Festival runs from Thursday to Sunday, featuring some of the best films from black directors, writers, and documentarians encompassing the African diaspora. Films such as BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez and dream hampton's Treasure: From Tragedy to Trans Justice, Mapping a Detroit Story aren't the only must-sees at the fest. We chose five more. All tickets are $12; $8 for students or seniors:

Life Essentials with Ruby Dee: Director Muta'Ali Muhammad tells the story of his grandparents, who happen to be famed actors and activists Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. Muhammad structures his film as a love letter to "Grandpa & Gram Ruby." 6:20 p.m. Thursday, International House, 3701 Chestnut St.

Jimmy Goes to Nollywood: Haitian actor Jimmy Jean-Louis makes his directorial debut (along with Rachid Dhibou) exploring the cinema of Nigeria, the second-largest film industry in the world, right behind India's Bollywood. Jean-Louis will be in attendance for a Q&A after the screening. 8:45 p.m. Friday, International House.

Shorts: TNEG: Filmmaker Arthur Jafa (Daughters of the Dust, Crooklyn) presents a short film program from movie studio TNEG. Jafa co-founded the studio with a mission of making films that match "the power, beauty, and alienation of black music." 2 p.m. Friday, International House.

Shorts: XOXO: Get whimsical with these romantic comedy shorts, including "Tap Shoes and Violins" starring The Daily Show's secret weapon, Jessica Williams. 12:50 p.m. Sunday, International House.

August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand: Sam Pollard, Spike Lee's longtime editor and noted documentarian, turns his lens to Tony- and Pulitzer-winning playwright August Wilson. Stage and screen stars, including Viola Davis, Charles Dutton, Laurence Fishburne, James Earl Jones, Suzan-Lori Parks, and Phylicia Rashad share their thoughts. 2:55 p.m. Sunday, International House. - Molly Eichel