Film Africa, London’s annual celebration of African cinema, returns for a third year with
a line-up of over 60 films from across the continent screening at six major venues
across London from 1 to 10 November.
The event launches with the controversial new film, Of Good Report, from South
African director Jahmil X.T. Qubeka. Briefly banned from showing at the Durban
International Film Festival on account of its provocative, Lolita-inspired subject
matter, Of Good Report is a thrilling, devilishly comic and supremely assured work
from one of Africa’s most exciting up-and-coming filmmakers.
Film Africa 2013 also includes a new strand, 3 x 3, featuring three films from major
names in African cinema. It will profile the work of Chadian director Mahamat-Saleh
Haroun, who has cemented his reputation as one of the most respected auteurs in
world cinema in the last two decades. His latest film, the charming and consistently
surprising Grisgris (the Closing Night film), will be screened alongside two of his other
major works, Dry Season and A Screaming Man.
Other directors featured in the 3 x 3 strand are award-winning Franco-Senegalese
visionary Alain Gomis, who will present all three of his feature films in person; and
the supremely talented experimental filmmaker and actor Mati Diop, niece of
legendary Senegalese director Djibril Diop Mambety, whose film Touki Bouki, we are
also screening in celebration of its 40 year anniversary.
On 5 November, Film Africa presents Bonfires and Revolutions: an evening of politics
and protest in African cinema. It will screen a programme of films exploring the legacy
and impact of revolutions and social change across the continent, including the
astonishing documentary Babylon by a trio of first-time directors from Tunisia, and
which follows the refugee crisis in Libya. Among other highlights, this special
programme also includes Something Necessary, Kenyan director Judy Kibinge’s
powerful and sensitively observed film about the post-election violence in Kenya in
2007.
Organised by the Royal African Society, the UK’s prime Africa organisation, Film Africa
2013 will also feature a vibrant programme of live events including music
performances, directorial masterclasses and intimate Q&As with directors and other
FREE special events for families and young people.
Richard Dowden, Director of the Royal African Society says: “The Royal African Society
(RAS) is delighted to bring you Film Africa 2013. The films in this year’s festival
continue to reveal new images of Africa – wealthy, global and dynamic; still full of
challenges, but brimming with confidence. These films go beneath the surface of the
headlines to tell stories of ordinary and extraordinary life in Africa.”
Film Africa 2013 also celebrates Nigeria’s vibrant film industry with Coming of age:
Celebrating 21 years of Nollywood, featuring special full length screenings of classics
Living in Bondage and Osuofia in London. The festival will also feature an industry
forum on The Business of Film in Africa.
Visiting filmmakers include: Jahmil X.T. Qubeka, Alain Gomis, Jean-Pierre Bekolo, Judy
Kibinge, Dimeji Ajibola, Sami Tlili, Pierre-Emmanuel Urcun, Pieter van der Houwen,
Mensa Ansah (of FOKN Bois), Harry Freeland, Katrine Kjaer and Michael Adeyemi.
For more information visit www.filmafrica.org.uk
