Film Africa is London’s film festival that celebrates the creativity and development of African cinema and its diaspora and it is back for its seventh year later this autumn.
Orchestrated by the Royal African Society throughout different venues across London, Film Africa showcases films from both the continent and its diaspora and is a must for anyone interested in seeing what Africa and its diaspora has to offer in the industry.
Established in 2011, the film festival set out to be the principal platform for African cinema in the UK. It provides a great environment for African and diaspora filmmakers to present their work as well as using the platform to promote discussion and a better understanding of Africa through the use of film.
BBC World News presenter and Chair of The Royal African Society, Zeinab Badawi commented that:
“Africa’s rich culture and history has long gone untold in the global media, and platforms like Film Africa have been successful in bringing contemporary narratives from around the continent to diverse British audiences. The extended reach that this OnDemand initiative brings will further heighten knowledge and appreciation of some of the great talent in Africa whilst at the same time broadening perceptions of its people.”
Additionally, Afua Hirsch, Sky News Education Editor and former West Africa correspondent for The Guardian, pointed out that:
“There has been a glut of amazing artistic work in literature, music, film and the arts in general coming out of the whole of Africa for a while now, but quality and recognised platforms on which they can be showcased to audiences have not yet kept up. I feel there need to be more initiatives like Film Africa OnDemand and platforms like Okiki built over the coming years to do the work of African artists justice.”
With almost 5,000 attendees last year, Film Africa did not limit itself to the centrality of film. Accompanying the film programmes are various events such as talks and discussions, professional workshops and master classes, director Q&As, school screenings and family activities and Film Africa LIVE! music nights.
Interested?
This year’s festival takes place between Friday 27 October to Sunday 5 November 2017, so be sure to check it out.
Buy tickets here and watch some of last year’s festival here.
