African Film Festival

Overview

We know about the New Zealand Film Festival, the French Film Festival, the International Film Festival, and the South American Film Festival, but if the extent of your African film knowledge stops at the Lion King, then you’re in luck, this year the African Film Festival is making its debut on New Zealand shores.

The genres are far reaching - from comedy to drama, animation to doco, with the only underlying similarity between them being the intent to inspire, entertain and educate audiences about the African culture. The filmmakers want to tell a side to the African story other than that we see on the news. So the group behind the festival have handpicked the best of African film to bring to New Zealand to do just that.

The Forgotten Kingdom, a critically acclaimed drama showing on opening night, sees young Atum leave his life in the slums to find himself, his love, and his passion for the African countryside. Then on closing night, another drama, yet thematically a near opposite to opening night’s offering, is Nairobi Half Life. The successful film follows aspiring Mwas through his pursuit of stardom and success to Nairobi, where he knows his dreams will be fulfilled. If you’re looking for something a little different, Calypso Rose is a film about the rise to African fame of musician from Trinidad and Tobago. Experience how celebrity life in Africa compares to that in the Western world. The film is accompanied by a guest speaker and music for some extra insight.

There are ten films to choose from, but the festival itself is only a week long. Blink and you’ll miss it.