Film Africa – London’s annual celebration of African cinema –
returns for a third year, starting tonight, Friday, November 1, with a line-up of over 60 films from across the
continent screening at six major venues across London.
Film Africa 2013 launches with the controversial new film, Of Good Report, from South African director Jahmil X.T. Qubeka. Briefly banned from showing at the Durban International Film Festival on account of its provocative, Lolita–inspired subject matter,Of Good Report is a thrilling, devilishly comic and supremely assured work from one of Africa’s most exciting up-and-coming filmmakers.
Film Africa 2013 also includes a new strand, 3 x 3, featuring three films from major names in African cinema. We will profile the work of Chadian director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, who has cemented his reputation as one of the most respected auteurs in world cinema in the last two decades. His latest film, the charming and consistently surprisingGrisgris (our Closing Night film), will be screened alongside two of his other major works,Dry Season and A Screaming Man. Other directors featured in the 3 x 3 strand are award-winning Franco-Senegalese visionary Alain Gomis, who will present all three of his feature films in person; and the supremely talented experimental filmmaker and actorMati Diop, niece of legendary Senegalese director Djibril Diop Mambety, whose filmTouki Bouki, we are also screening in celebration of its 40 year anniversary.
On 5 November, Film Africa presents Bonfires and Revolutions: an evening of politics and protest in African cinema. We will screen a programme of films exploring the legacy and impact of revolutions and social change across the continent, including the astonishing documentary Babylon by a trio of first-time directors from Tunisia, and which follows the refugee crisis in Libya. Among other highlights, this special programme also includes Something Necessary, Kenyan director Judy Kibinge’s powerful and sensitively observed film about the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007.
Organised by the Royal African Society, the UK’s prime Africa organisation, Film Africa 2013 will also feature a vibrant programme of live events including music performances, directorial masterclasses and intimate Q&As with directors and other FREE special events for families and young people.
Richard Dowden, Director of the Royal African Society says: “The Royal African Society (RAS) is delighted to bring you Film Africa 2013. The films in this year’s festival continue to reveal new images of Africa – wealthy, global and dynamic; still full of challenges, but brimming with confidence. These films go beneath the surface of the headlines to tell stories of ordinary and extraordinary life in Africa.”
Film Africa 2013 also celebrates Nigeria’s vibrant film industry with Coming of age: Celebrating 21 years of Nollywood, featuring special full length screenings of classicsLiving in Bondage and Osuofia in London. The festival will also feature an industry forum on The Business of Film in Africa.
Other festival highlights include a programme of innovative short films in competition for the Baobab Award. The winning film will be selected by a panel of industry experts comprised of Kate Gerova, Artistic Director of Birds Eye View film festival, Nick Denes, Co-Director of the Palestinian Film Foundation, and award-winning director Yaba Badoe.
Visiting filmmakers include: Jahmil X.T. Qubeka, Alain Gomis, Jean-Pierre Bekolo, Judy Kibinge, Dimeji Ajibola, Sami Tlili, Pierre-Emmanuel Urcun, Pieter van der Houwen, Mensa Ansah (of FOKN Bois), Harry Freeland, Katrine Kjaer and Michael Adeyemi.
Suzy Gillett, Film Africa Curator, says: “Film Africa is thrilled to welcome some of the top directors of their generation to London to present their films. Our wide-ranging programme, which includes 25 UK premiers, brings together the best cinema from across the continent, blending contemporary, classic, and experimental fiction and documentary films.”
Visit Film Africa 2013 at: http://www.filmafrica.org.uk
