The London African Film Festival
A unique and entertaining insight into the world of African Cinema
The London African Film Festival, from November 26-December 3, is pleased to announce its 2009 programme. This year’s line up introduces an exciting selection of 11 UK premieres , features films and documentaries from across the continent screening at art locations across London for an 8 day event.
The Barbican, Ciné Lumière, The Lexi, Rich Mix and the University of Westminster will showcase films that will enlighten, thrill and excite alongside a one-day conference that focuses on Producing and Distributing African Cinema in the Digital Era.
The festival launches on 26 November with a UK premiere of Tariq Teguia’s compelling drama, INLAND set in western Algeria.
Other films celebrating their UK premieres include CAPTAIN MAJID (Rich Mix), a feature by the debutant Chadian film director Abakar Chene Massar. A selection of the best of AMAA(the Africa Movie Academy Awards) that include the Nigerian filmmaker Sani Elhadj Magori’s seminal documentary FOR THE BEST AND FOR THE ONION (Rich Mix), about one man’s determination to get the best onion harvest in order to marry the love of his life and the talented Wanuri Kahui’s FROM A WHISPER (Rich Mix) a superb and compelling drama based on the bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi in 1998.
Included in this selection representing North Africa are Ahmed El Manouni’s TRANSES (Ciné Lumière) from Morocco restored in 2007 by The World Cinema Foundation at Cineteca di Bologna, the classic HALFAOUINE (Barbican) by Ferid Boughedir from Tunisia and EL MANARA (Ciné Lumière) from Algeria.
Francois Verster’s SEA POINT DAYS (The Lexi) and ON THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE (Rich Mix) co-directed by Andy Wolf and Stephanie Brokchaus complete the documentary strand at the festival.
Central to the screenings is a unique day conference entitled Producing and Distributing African Cinema in the Digital Era that will take place on Sunday 29 November in partnership with the University of Westminster’s Africa Media Centre (AMC) and in association with the Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI) and Communication Research in Arts and Media (CREAM).
This one day interdisciplinary conference has invited academics, film and video producers, policy makers, film distributors, Africa specialists, and development practitioners to debate the role and future of African film and video.
Keith Shiri, Festival Director says: “This year we have continued to bring together an entertaining and contemporary mix of African life and culture from across the diaspora. This rich selection of films create a unique experience showcasing some of Africa’s best, and, award winning screen talent.”
Full programme and images from www.africaatthepictures.co.uk
The London African Film festival is supported by Zain, University of Westminster, African Movie Academy Awards, Film London and the UK Film Council.
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Notes to Editors:
The London African Film Festival is part of an action-packed programme of festivals and events taking that celebrates Black film talent in the capital.
BFM International Film Festival www.bfmmedia/com/festival
Images of Black Women Film Festival www.imagesofblackwomen.com
Screen Nation Film & TV Awards www.screennation.co.uk
Training Programme: www.filmlondon.org.uk/blackfilm
Film London, with money from the UK Film Council, is providing invaluable financial support to help exhibitors like Africa at the Pictures market and publicise their events more effectively, broadening audience reach.
For press information please contact: Marquita Bowen at Platinum PR Ltd on 020 8954 0970 or email: marquita@platinumpublicrelations.co.uk
