The East African Colours of the Nile International Film Festival (CNIFF) takes place from 5 to 9 February 2014 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Abraham Haile Biru, president of CNIFF and an award-winning African cinematographer says: “The inaugural edition of CNIFF that took place in November 2012 was very successful. The overwhelmingly positive response of the African film community and audiences encouraged us to host the festival annually instead of biennially as originally planned.”
June Givanni, a film curator who has worked with the British Film Institute, the Toronto International Film Festival and Focus Feature’s Africa First, is the new festival director, while the CNIFF’s competition section will be judged by an international jury comprising African filmmakers and leading industry professionals.
According to Haile Biru the theme of the 2014 festival is Africa’s Renaissance. “We want to get the message across that cinema is a powerful medium for educating, inspiring, promoting peace, and freedom of expression; all vital for the renaissance of our continent.’
The topic reinforces the theme of the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity / African Union (AU) and affirms the AU’s charter for African Cultural Renaissance.
CNIFF will spotlight South African films in its Africa Special Section as well as movies from other continents in the World Cinema Corner.
Haile Biru comments that South Africa offers a good example in setting favourable policy and framework conditions for the promotion of cinema. “More and more films are coming from South Africa, reaching wider African and international audiences. This is definitely an experience other African countries can take lessons from to revamp their film industries.’
The festival is offering a number of workshops addressing various filmmaking topics in recognition of the importance of training for the development of African cinema.
“I’m honoured to have the chance to head a festival that is truly devoted to the promotion of Africa cinema. We are working very hard to offer excellent selections of films for our audiences and the opportunity of exchange and networking for African filmmakers,’ concludes Haile Biru.
Feature-length and short fiction films as well as feature-length and short documentaries from across Africa are eligible for submission.
Entries will be accepted until 15 November 2013.
Visit www.coloursofthenile.net for more information, including rules, requirements and the official submission form.
