Police commissioner defends cops' actions at pride

BlackStar Film Fest Marks 15 Years

This week (starting today) the film festival celebrating "films by Black, brown, and Indigenous people from around the world" will screen 91 films across 10 venues while hosting formal Q&As and informal discussions throughout Philadelphia. [WHYY]

• A Place For Filmmakers. BlackStar offers a place for filmmakers to showcase their work to other film lovers without necessarily focusing on selling the movies to bigger studios. "The conversations are just as important as the screenings," said Louis Massiah, founder of Philadelphia's Scribe Video Center.
• Many Events. Documentaries and experimental films, panels and parties will mark the three days of this year's festival, which started with a screening of founder Maori Karmael Holmes' film "Scene Not Heard" about Philly women hip-hop artists in 2005. "Filmmakers are our audience first," said Holmes.
• Keep Watching Movies. If you catch the movie bug at the festival, check out our guide on Philly film clubs, where you can watch movies with a crew. [City Cast Philly ✍️]
• Check out our conversation on the podcast today with local DJ and filmmaker Kamal Marell.

Other Upcoming Film Events

• Final Girls Berlin Film Fest focused on horror: Aug. 13
• The Philly Film D.U.M.P. (DIY Underground Meetup and Potluck): Sept. 5
• Philadelphia Film Festival with global premieres: Oct. 15 - Oct. 25
• Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival: Nov. 5 - Nov. 15

City Council Hearing On Police Conduct During Pride

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel defended his officers from complaints about excessive force during celebrations in the Gayborhood after Pride on June 7, telling City Council that police largely acted appropriately in responding to unruly behavior by some in the crowd. "No one in my department gave any order that 'you're going to go down into the Gayborhood and attack the LGBTQ-plus community,” he said. The council hearing opened with a presentation of videos showing officers on horseback and motorcycles corralling partygoers. [NBC 10]

Can Laws Fight Lanternflies?

We've stomped them, we've sprayed them, but very little has stopped the spread of spotted lanternflies. They are now found in 51 Pennsylvania counties. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman and Republican Sen. Dave McCormick proposed legislation to make stopping these insects a "high priority” for research in order to protect our state's farmland. [FOX 29]

DA Krasner To Appeal Overturned Police Killing Conviction

After a judge overturned the murder conviction of a man serving a prison term for killing Philadelphia Police Officer Moses Walker Jr. in 2012, the district attorney said he would appeal the ruling and possibly retry the case. The judge overturned the conviction based on the role of Philip Nordo, a former homicide detective who was convicted of sexually abusing witnesses and suspects. [The Inquirer🔒]

Philly Asthma Rates Are Higher Near Industry And Highways

Greater Philadelphia gets an F for air pollution, according to the American Lung Association's 2026 report. And if you live near I-95 or the Delaware River industrial corridor, bad air quality means you are even more likely to have asthma than if you live elsewhere. The Conversation dove into data to correlate higher asthma rates with zoning restrictions that redlined neighborhoods. [The Conversation]

Every Thursday, we highlight shoutouts from our City Cast Philly Neighbors. Become a member to tell us what you love about Philly.

📣 City Cast Philly Neighbor Alex G. said: “I’ve really enjoyed taking art classes at Fleisher Art Memorial!”

Thanks, Alex! If you’re looking for more art classes, check out these workshops and clubs in the city.

What’s your favorite thing about Philly? Sign up for our membership program to be featured in the newsletter. As a thank you for becoming a Neighbor, you could receive a Philly Oxford pennant or a “Neighbors Make Philly” tote bag to carry those art supplies.