Film Africa 2014 set to stun London with new African voices

Film Africa - the Royal African Society’s annual film festival and London’s biggest celebration of
African cinema - returns for the fourth year with a bumper programme of films, premieres and
visiting filmmakers. 85 titles, of which 56 are premieres from across 23 different African countries,
will be shown.

Running from Friday 31 October to Sunday 9 November, Film Africa 2014 will take place across 11
London venues, including the Hackney Picturehouse, Ritzy Brixton, BFI Southbank, Ciné Lumière,
Rich Mix and the South London Gallery.

With 2014 marking 100 years since the unification of Nigeria, the 60th anniversary of the Algerian
Revolution, and the 20th anniversary of both South Africa’s democracy the genocide in Rwanda, the
festival will present stunning cinematic reflections on African history and current politics in different
genres, including crime thrillers, period dramas, comedy and documentaries.
Major titles include Abderrahmane Sissako’s Timbuktu and Tala Hadid’s The Narrow Frame Of
Midnight (the festival opening and closing films), Olivier Delahaye and Dani Kouyaté’s Soleils, Sana
Na N’Hada’s Kadjike, Noaz Deshe’s White Shadow (executive produced by Ryan Gosling), Hicham
Lasri’s They Are The Dogs, and Dieudo Hamadi’s National Diploma.

Over 20 filmmakers and guests will be in attendance this year, including rising director Tala Hadid
(The Narrow Frame Of Midnight); filmmaker and journalist Yaba Badoe (The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo);
popular Nollywood director Kunle Afolayan (October 1); and Algerian filmmaker Belkacem Hadjadj
(Fadhma n’Soumer); and Cape Town-based director Ian Gabriel (Four Corners).

In partnership with the rest of the UK African film festivals, Film Africa 2014 will host South Africa at
20: The Freedom Tour – a nation-wide season of South African cinema, which includes the classic
Come Back, Africa, the gritty, award-winning Four Corners and the controversial documentary
Miners Shot Down about the 2012 Marikana massacre.
Marking the 60th anniversary of Algeria’s independence, the festival also showcases Algerian
Cinema: Towards a New Wave – a programme of over 15 Algerian films highlighting the imaginative
work of a new generation of daring filmmakers who are unmistakeably shifting the country's
cinematic landscape.

Female filmmakers and women-centred stories feature prominently across the programme with
titles such as Sergio Graciano’s Njinga, Queen of Angola, whose central character is the 17th
century Angolan leader who fought tirelessly against Portuguese slave traders, and Fadhma
n’Soumer, a historical biopic of the 19th century Algerian mystic and resistance leader. Contemporary 2
African women acting as powerful agents of change today are featured in Joanna Lipper’s The
Supreme Price, Zeresenay Berhane Mehari’s Difret and Dani Kouyaté’s Women, Entirely Women,
among others.

A selection of documentaries bring to life the creative work of a range of individuals who have made
their mark on the African literary and music scenes, including Silvia Voser’s Ken Bugul – Nobody
Wants Her, Rachel Samuel’s Asni: Courage, Passion & Glamour in Ethiopia, Lebogang Rasethaba’s
Future Sound of Mzansi, and Mário Patrocinio’s I Love Kuduro.
Film Africa 2014 will also shine a spotlight on Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) African cinema
bringing the newest titles from Guinea-Bissau, Angola and Mozambique, and a discussion with
respected producer Pedro Pimenta.

Other programme highlights include: The Industry Forum at the BFI, a free event which sheds light
on the business of African cinema; The Baobab Award for Best Short Film; Film Africa LIVE! music
nights featuring the hottest African music in London; a schools screening programme, in partnership
with Picturehouse Education; and Westminster University’s 6th Annual African Film Conference -
Documenting Africa: Creating Fact or Fiction through the lens.
Sheila Ruiz, Manager of Film Africa, says:
“We at The Royal African Society are delighted to present the fourth edition of our annual Film Africa
festival, which aims to promote the best of this growing new wave of African cinema. The films in this
year's festival continue to reveal new images and nuanced narratives of Africa, which we know
London audiences are eager to see and engage with. There is really something for everyone and we
look forward to yet another successful festival!”

Zeinab Badawi, Chair of the Royal African Society, says:
“Film Africa 2014 is presenting a variety of powerful and compelling narratives from the continent on
film. I think Film Africa is doing a marvellous job in bringing untold stories to the fore.”
Film Africa is funded by Miles Morland, the BFI and the SA-UK Seasons, a partnership between the
South African Department of Arts and Culture and the British Council. Supporters include MOFILM
and the Centre of African Studies, University of London. Sponsors include Divine Chocolate, SAB
Miller, Aduna and Crumbs & Doilies. Media partners include The Africa Channel and IC Publications
(New African & New African Woman). Publicity and website design by Design 237.

For press enquiries, contact Nadia Denton at press@filmafrica.org.uk or 07930 941 080
To view the full Film Africa 2014 festival programme, visit www.filmafrica.org.uk