London’s biggest celebration of African and African diaspora cinema presented by the Royal African Society, returns for its 8th consecutive year on Friday 2 to Sunday 11 November 2018. Showcasing 39 titles from 15 African countries, including 18 premiere screenings, Film Africa will take place at five venues across London: #BFI Southbank, Rich Mix, #Ritzy Cinema, Bernie Grant Arts Centre and South London Gallery.
The festival launches on Friday 2 November at BFI Southbank with the UK premiere of Blitz Bazawule’s (aka Blitz the Ambassador) The Burial of Kojo, an assured debut feature by Ghana’s foremost hip-hop artist turned filmmaker. The UK premiere of Kasala! by emerging director Ema Edosio points to the future direction of Nigerian cinema and will close the festival on Sunday 11 November at Rich Mix.
This year Film Africa will showcase burgeoning cinema from two major creative hotspots on the continent, Kenya and Nigeria, through Afrobubblegum: Kenya’s Movie Mavericks and The Naija New Wave. From coming-of-age and first-love stories, to documentary accounts of intersex and transgender communities, through experimental, immersive and psychological thrillers – these special strands showcase the expansive imaginations and storytelling prowess of young filmmakers living and working across Africa and the diaspora today. Key titles include Wanuri Kahiu’s daring feature Rafiki; Tristan Aitchison’s observational documentary Sidney and Friends; and the UK premiere of Akin Omotoso’s latest film, A Hotel Called Memory – Nigeria’s first silent movie.
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