Black Public Media 2024 Open Call to offer $175,000 in funding for Black stories
NEW YORK (August 20, 2024) — Black Public Media (BPM)
has issued its 2024 open call for projects that center Black culture, characters, communities and concerns. A total of $175,000 will be awarded this year to U.S. documentary projects currently in pre-production, production or post-production, and intended for public media distribution. The 2024 submission portal (
https://blackpublicmedia.org/for-media-makers/bpm-open-call/
) goes live on Tuesday, September 3, and closes on Monday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Since its inception, BPM has invested more than $17 million toward iconic documentaries and emerging media projects about the global Black experience.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA ISSUES OPEN CALL FOR BLACK STORIES
BPM to award a total of $175,000 in current round of funding
NEW YORK (August 20, 2024) — Black Public Media (BPM) has issued its 2024 open call for projects that center Black culture, characters, communities and concerns. A total of $175,000 will be awarded this year to U.S. documentary projects currently in pre-production, production or post-production, and intended for public media distribution. The 2024 submission portal (https://blackpublicmedia.org/for-media-makers/bpm-open-call/) goes live on Tuesday, September 3, and closes on Monday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Since its inception, BPM has invested more than $17 million toward iconic documentaries and emerging media projects about the global Black experience.
This year BPM — a Harlem-based national media arts nonprofit that trains talented storytellers and funds and distributes their works — welcomes feature-length documentary projects in a range of formats, styles, subject matter and genres, including those that target specific viewers such as children and teen audiences. The projects should be compelling, nuanced stories that add the point of view, experiences and concerns of the Black communities to the larger public discourse.
Applicants must be the producer or director of the project with at least three years of professional producing and/or directing experience (or must have a senior producer attached to the project). The applicant must be able to complete the project within 18 months. Additional requirements can be found at: https://blackpublicmedia.org/for-media-makers/bpm-open-call/.
This fall, a panel of media professionals across the industry will evaluate the proposals in a two-tier review process that assesses the project idea and story, production readiness, production team, project budget and work sample. And in December, BPM will announce the five applicants who will receive a $5,000 stipend, an invitation to its talent development program and the opportunity to participate in PitchBLACK, the largest pitch competition for independent filmmakers and creative technologists developing new projects about the global Black experience. One of these projects will win a $150,000 PitchBLACK Award for a broadcast-length or feature project.
“Each year we are amazed to see the myriad, layered stories which are bubbling up from all corners of this country from such gifted creatives,” said BPM Executive Director Leslie Fields-Cruz. “We look forward to helping these makers bring their important work to American viewers.”
Prospective applicants may register to attend BPM’s virtual information session on Tuesday, August 27, at 6 p.m. EST at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j6eYTqC9Q_qyHMWGIr0v7A.
BPM’s 2024 Open Call is supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Netflix, the MacArthur Foundation, the Tarver Walls Foundation, Paramount+, the New York Community Trust, the Jerome Foundation, the Tides Foundation, Acton Family Giving and Gimlet.
For more information on Black Public Media, visit www.blackpublicmedia.org, or follow it on X (@BLKPublicMedia),
Facebook (@BlackPublicMedia), Instagram (@blackpublicmedia) or TikTok (@black-public-media).
ABOUT BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA:
Black Public Media (BPM) supports the development of visionary content creators and distributes stories about the global Black experience to inspire a more equitable and inclusive future. For 45 years, BPM has addressed the needs of unserved and underserved audiences. BPM-supported programs have won five Emmys, 10 Peabodys, three Anthem Awards, 14 Emmy nominations and an Oscar nomination. BPM continues to address historical, contemporary, and systemic challenges that traditionally impede the development and distribution of Black stories. For more information, visit blackpublicmedia.org and follow BPM on Instagram and Facebook and @BLKPublicMedia on X.
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For interview and media inquiries, contact:
Cheryl L. Duncan
Cheryl Duncan & Company Inc.
201-552-9239 (O)
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AUG. 21: Jazz saxophonist Godwin Louis To Perform New Album at the Newark Public Library
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Godwin Louis heads to Newark for the next installment of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series, part of the powerhouse jazz station’s 45th anniversary celebration. Louis will perform two concerts on Wednesday, August 21 — at 4:45 p.m. and at 6:15 p.m. — in the courtyard of the Newark Main Library.
Grammy-nominated jazz saxophonist Godwin Louis is headed to Newark for his album release celebration on Wednesday, August 21, for two concerts that are part of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series.
Louis’s sophomore album Psalms and Proverbs on Blue Room Music, a jazzy deep dive into religious traditions across the world, is being released globally on Friday, August 23. The concerts, which are made possible with the support of Audible and the Newark Public Library (where they will be held), will take place at 4:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
Born in Harlem of Haitian heritage and raised in the Port-au-Prince and Bridgeport, Connecticut, Louis was a saxophone protégé. Then came his meteoric rise to stages across the globe, with studies or performances with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Billy Preston, Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, Prince, Babyface, Madonna, Barry Harris, Howard Shore, Mulatu Astatke, Wynton Marsalis and more. In addition to being a top performer, he is also an assistant professor at the Berklee College of Music and at the forefront of bringing music education to Haiti and Africa as a music ambassador and humanitarian.
GODWIN LOUIS TO HEADLINE WBGO AFTER WORK JAZZ SERIES CONCERT
The August 21 event celebrates the international release of the Grammy nominee’s sophomore album, Psalms and Proverbs, on Blue Room Music
NEW YORK (August 12, 2024) — Grammy-nominated saxophonist Godwin Louis heads to Newark for the next installment of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series, part of the powerhouse jazz station’s 45th anniversary celebration. Louis will perform two concerts on Wednesday, August 21 — at 4:45 p.m. and at 6:15 p.m. — in the courtyard of the Newark Main Library. The appearance also marks the release of Louis’ sophomore album, Psalms and Proverbs, an exploration of the universality and joy of sacred music available internationally on August 23 on the Blue Room Music label. The concerts are made possible with the support of Audible and the Newark Public Library.
Born into a musical family in Harlem of Haitian heritage and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Louis has gone on to grace stages across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. A favorite in New York, Boston and beyond, Louis is a composer-arranger-virtuoso soloist who began as a saxophone prodigy at nine, becoming a Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Saxophone competition finalist. A graduate of Berklee College of Music and the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, Louis has studied and performed with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Toni Braxton, Prince, Babyface, Madonna, Wynton Marsalis and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others. He is a 2024 Grammy nominee (for arrangements on singer Cécile McLorin Salvant's Mélusine) and a professor at Berklee College of Music.
He is also a humanitarian and businessman, having founded Experience Ayiti, a nonprofit educational, multidisciplinary arts organization in Haiti and The Godwin Louis Rooftop Club in Togo, which is dedicated to performances and educational programs that promote music education in Africa.
Band Group photo. Photo credit Blue Room Music
In Psalms and Proverbs, Louis draws on religious musical traditions around the world, including his Haitian roots — Haiti being where European, African and Native traditions converged to create the roots of jazz. The album showcases Godwin’s unique originality, deeply rooted in spirituals and gospel hymns, blending sophisticated harmonies, memorable melodies and infectious grooves. His music embodies the diverse sounds of the Afro-diaspora, incorporating elements from West Africa, Haiti, the Americas and Europe. The result is a harmonious tapestry that spans continents.
Performing will be Louis (saxophone); Philip Dizack (trumpet); Axel Tosca Laugart (piano); Johnny Mercier (organ); Savannah Harris (drums); and Or Baréquette (bass).“I’m looking forward to being a part of WBGO’s After Work Jazz Series and bringing praise to the people of Newark,” said Louis. “Let’s have church.”
Psalms and Proverbs is produced by Louis, Calvaire and Chan Jung.
The event at the Newark Public Library (5 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102) is free and open to the public with registration via Eventbrite. In the event of inclement weather, the event will happen indoors, in the Library.
6Psalms and Proverbs can be preordered now at https://orcd.co/godwinlouis or on August 23 at Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon and more. For more information on Louis, visit https://www.godwinlouis.com.
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For interview and media inquiries, contact:
Cheryl L. Duncan, Cheryl Duncan & Company Inc., 201-552-9239 (O), cheryl@cdcprnews.com
Great Point Studios Host New York Women In Film & TV
New York Women In Film & Television (NYWIFT) held its annual member meeting on June 18, 2024 at Great PointStudios in Yonkers, NY. The networking event also introduced members to the 2024 candidates running for the 2024-25 NYWIFT Board elections.
By Oyiza Adaba
New York Women In Film & Television (NYWIFT) held its annual member meeting on June 18, 2024 at Great PointStudios in Yonkers, NY. The networking event also introduced members to the 2024 candidates running for the 2024-25 NYWIFT Board elections.
NYWIFT’s Meet The Candidates Night
New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) advocates for equality in the moving image industry and supports women in every stage of their careers. As the preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, NYWIFT energizes women by illuminating their achievements, presenting training and professional development programs, awarding scholarships and grants, and providing access to a supportive community of peers.
PHOTOS BY AFRICA-RELATED
Bruce Onobrakpeya's THE MASK AND THE CROSS Opens in Washington D.C.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is showcasing works by sculptor and printmaker Bruce Onobrakpeya, considered one the fathers of postcolonial Nigerian modernism. On view June 21 - Jan. 21, 2025.
by OYIZA ADABA, Washington D.C.
Front view of The National Museum of African Art at The Smithsonian Institution. Photo by Africa-Related
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is showcasing works by sculptor and printmaker Bruce Onobrakpeya, considered one the fathers of postcolonial Nigerian modernism.
Image of the artist Bruce Onobrakpeya, towering over his exhibition.
Opening Night: Guest curator Janine Gaëlle Dieudji with Lauren Tate Baeza Curator of African Art at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and Mudiare Onobrakpeya of Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation.
Oyiza Adaba takes viewers inside “Bruce Onobrakpeya's: The Mask and the Cross”, on view June 21 - Jan. 21, 2025. The exhibition features works by the artist from 1966 through 1978, a period when he completed multiple commissions for the Catholic Church, including his seminal “Fourteen Stations of the Cross” series. The exhibition also recognizes Onobrakpeya’s legacy - inspiring generations of visual artists in Nigeria - with artworks from the museum’s collection that reflect Onobrakpeya’s influence. The opening ceremony was graced with dignitaries from diplomatic corp to art lovers, collectors and family members.
The National Museum of African Arts is celebrating 60 years of showcasing unique art from Africa, with a summer lineup that also include, ‘Benin Bronzes’: Ambassadors of the Oba, ‘Before Nollywood: The Ideal Photo Studio’, Ayana V Jackson’s 'Into The Deep’, John Akomfrah’s ‘Five Mumirations’, and ‘Water in African Arts’ exhibitions.
“Blending Christian iconography, Nigerian folklore and West African traditions, Onobrakpeya’s art interprets spiritualism through a global lens. Biblical stories are presented with Nigerian characters and environments, such as the “Passion of Christ” depicting Roman soldiers in British military uniforms and Jesus in Nigerian robes. ”
Oyiza Adaba reports. Video courtesy of Africa-Related.
PHOTOS: AFRICA-RELATED
Official Launch: TOM ADABA LEGACY FOUNDATION + OKENE LEGACY CENTER
Official Launch: TOM ADABA LEGACY FOUNDATION + OKENE LEGACY CENTER Special Feature Presentation: ROOTS RUNWAY - a Tom Adaba Legacy Project
Watch official launch of Tom Adaba Legacy here
Photos by David-Mary Ikemeh of @dm2studio
Full Video: "DELA" North American Premiere
Video Highlights of the biographical documentary that carefully captures the life of legendary artist El Anatsui, tracing the artistic endeavors that led to his rise in popularity in the global art world. It made an inspiring debut on Mother's Day, May 12th, 2024 at the prestigious Lincoln Centre in New York.
"DELA: The Making of El Anatsui", is an “in-depth” biographical documentary directed by Oyiza Adaba. It made its North American premiere at the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF31) on May 12th, 2024 at the prestigious Lincoln Centre. “DELA” is currently showing at global film festival before going into distribution. Follow the film’s progress here
DELA Director Oyiza Adaba, in front of Lincoln Center, New York. Photo: Galina Ivankovich/Africa-Related
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Bride of Zambia
In April 2024, Zambian filmmaker Tisa Chigaga re-released her sophomore short film, Bride of Zambia, on Indie Films World, where it is currently available for online pay per view streaming. A multicultural collaboration, the film was produced by Bollywood entertainment cooperation D-Star Productions and Indie Films World.
Press Release
“Bride of Zambia” Short Film Initiates Rare Conversation on Gender Inequality In Zambia
New York City, May 24, 2024
In April 2024, Zambian filmmaker Tisa Chigaga re-released her sophomore short film, Bride of Zambia, on Indie Films World, where it is currently available for online pay per view streaming. A multicultural collaboration, the film was produced by Bollywood entertainment cooperation D-Star Productions and Indie Films World.
The film follows a young Zambian-born New York resident in the lead up to her wedding. Despite having a modern upbringing, she is pressured into adhering to the highly conservative traditional code of conduct for Zambian brides and eventually wives. Featuring scenes directly questioning the relevance of traditional gender norms in the ultra conservative nation, the film offers a very rare public discussion about gender inequality in Zambia.
Despite the highly controversial nature of the chosen themes, in an unforeseen show of support, the filmmaker has received messages from hundreds of women identifying with the plight of the protagonist, and thanking the film for finally speaking out. It is the filmmaker’s hope that more engagement with the film will break down further boundaries around conversations pertaining to gender and tradition in Zambia.
“Thank God for this production. A lot of women are truly oppressed by these teachings. What a courageous step to put this out and finally speak about it!” @mwesh_moon on Instagram
“Even as a Bollywood producer, I was able to see the power and impact of this story. It is my hope that this film will do more for gender parity in Zambia and the world throughout.” Mukesh Modi, CEO Indie Films World and D-Star Productions
“Making Bride of Zambia was by far the scariest thing I have ever done. But hearing women say the film made them feel seen and that they finally have a voice, made it all worth it. It is my hope that this film will enable more open discussions on what has always been considered a taboo subject.” Tisa Chigaga, Director
Tisa Chigaga currently serves as the Program Manager of the New York African Film Festival, and can be reached on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (@tisachigaga). Bride of Zambia is available to view here on Indie Film World.
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Alliance Française Accra Announces Environment Week:
The Alliance Française Accra (AFA) is proud to announce its inaugural Environment Week, taking place from Monday, June 3rd to Saturday, June 8th, 2024. This week-long initiative is a powerful statement of AFA's commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and aims to raise awareness about two critical environmental issues: Fast Fashion and Plastic Pollution.
A Week of Action for a Sustainable Future!
Accra, Ghana – 31st May 2024
The Alliance Française Accra (AFA) is proud to announce its inaugural Environment Week, taking place from Monday, June 3rd to Saturday, June 8th, 2024. This week-long initiative is a powerful statement of AFA's commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and aims to raise awareness about two critical environmental issues: Fast Fashion and Plastic Pollution.
The fashion industry casts a long shadow. According to a Business Insider analysis, it contributes a staggering 10% of global carbon emissions. This comes at a heavy cost to our water sources, rivers, and ecosystems, with 85% of all textiles ending up in landfills each year. Even the simple act of washing clothes releases a shocking 500,000 tons of microfibres into the ocean annually – the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles!
Plastic pollution is another major threat. Reports highlight the devastating impact of plastic on our environment, with millions of tons entering our oceans each year. This plastic harms marine life, pollutes our beaches, and disrupts entire ecosystems.
AFA Environment Week aims to tackle these challenges head-on. Throughout the week, a variety of engaging activities will be offered, including:
● Art Exhibitions: Powerful and evocative artwork by Bee Arthur and others will spark conversation about the environmental impact of fast fashion and plastic pollution.
● Panel Discussions: Renowned experts from Ghana's Ministries of Environment, Sanitation, Tourism, Youth & Sports, and Fisheries will come together for a thought-provoking discussion on tackling these issues. The discussion will be moderated by Richmond Quarcoo of Plastic Punch, a leading Ghanaian environmental organization.
● Solution-Based Presentations: Hear from inspiring artists, environmental activists, and organizations like Bee Arthur, Plastic Punch, Tei Huagie, OR Foundation, Revival Earth, and Little Big Esi as they share innovative solutions for a greener future.
● Community Old Clothes Drive: Help declutter your closet and support a sustainable future! Donate your gently used clothes for a good cause. (Open to AFA staff and students)
● Environment Fair: Discover a marketplace of eco-conscious vendors offering sustainable and recycled products, alongside beautiful, environmentally-friendly art.
● Arts & Environment Edutainment Night: Immerse yourself in a unique evening featuring poetry, spoken word performances, an impactful immersive theatre experience by the Alikoto group, and captivating acoustic music by Nene Narh.
● Beach Clean-Up: Join AFA for a community beach clean-up at the Regional Maritime University in Nungua. Together, we can make a tangible difference in protecting our coastline!
Key Dates:
● World Environment Day: Wednesday, June 5th – Join a special conference featuring the panel discussion and solution-based presentations.
● World Ocean Day: Saturday, June 8th – Conclude the week with a rewarding beach clean-up experience
Event Partners:
AFA is proud to partner with Plastic Punch, a leading Ghanaian organization tackling plastic pollution, Bee Arthur, a renowned artist who uses her work to raise awareness about fast fashion, and Travelwings, an online travel agency with over 25 years of experience in the Travel Industry.
Join the Movement!
AFA Environment Week is a call to action for everyone in Accra. Whether you're a passionate environmentalist or simply looking to learn more and make a positive impact, we invite you to join us for this exciting week. Let's work together to safeguard our planet and build a more sustainable future!
For more information and the full program lineup, please visit the Alliance Française Accra website or social media pages.
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DELA: Makes North American Debut At 31st New York African Festival
The biographical documentary that carefully captures the life of legendary artist El Anatsui, tracing the artistic endeavors that led to his rise in popularity in the global art world, made an inspiring debut on Mother's Day, May 12th, 2024 at the prestigious Lincoln Centre in New York.
Moderator Ben Dotsei Malor and DELA Director Oyiza Adaba during the Q&A
Ihunmehai Isaac, New York
Photos: John Oko Nyaku, Africa Photo Communication
It was an eventful and beautiful Mother's Day on May 12th, 2024 at the prestigious Lincoln Centre, with guests trooping in with tickets in hand, to see the “in-depth” biographical documentary directed by Oyiza Adaba - "DELA: The Making of El Anatsui".
The story carefully and deliberately captures the life of legendary artist El Anatsui, tracing the artistic endeavors that led to his rise in popularity in the global art world.
“The film gave more essence to what we normally know of El...”
The screening witnessed an attentive audience engaging in the film, through moments of emotional connections that brought laughter, tears, and silence to the Frances Beale Theater at the prestigious Lincoln Center.
The screening was followed by a resounding applause and a Q&A session, moderated by Ben Dotsei Malor, former BBC Africa anchor and Chief Editor of United Nations News for Dailies.
Malor praised Oyiza Adaba's vision and called for the film to be shown in academic institutions across the world. He welcomed questions from the audience that expanded on the film's 10-year journey, the use of language, art appreciation and much more.
The first-time director explained her motivation to build on the work of previous documentations of the subject, to tell a more personal story. She expressed gratitude to the artist for his generous support, as well as the sponsors and crew who made it possible.
DELA Director Oyiza Adaba with El Anatsui’s Family members and Ben Malor (UN)
Notable guests present include the Anatsui and Ametewee Families, Tamsen Greene of Jack Shainman Gallery NY, the film's director of photography Jason Hill, Jazz musician Randy Muller, percussionist Ricky “Dirty Red” Gordon, Tyrone Birkett of New Freedom Sounds, and Words By MOE who contributed to the films soundtrack.
“As an African-American New Yorker with limited travel to Africa, it was wonderful to see the artist’s setting, in his culture...”
DELA Crew: Director Oyiza Adaba with Ghana Director of Photography Jason Hill
Guests were treated to a reception where they got to interact further with members of the production team.
Mahen Bonetti, the Executive Director and brainchild behind the New York African Film Festival, described DELA as “a masterpiece story that needed telling”. The long-running festival, which showcased over 50 films from 24 countries ends at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) on June 1, 2024.
“DELA” is currently showing at global film festival before going into distribution. Follow the film’s progress here
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Photo Highlights DELA: North American Premiere at NYAFF31
Photo Highlights
DELA: North American Premiere at NYAFF31
photos by John Oko Nyaku (Africa Photo Communications)
Photo Highlights
DELA: North American Premiere at NYAFF31
May 12, 2024
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Celebrating a remarkable and extraordinary visit to Lanre Olagoke's Regent Street Studio in London
Celebrating a remarkable and extraordinary visit to Lanre Olagoke's Regent Street Studio in London, where I had the privilege of spending time with the esteemed artist and painter, Lanre Olagoke MBE.
Celebrating a remarkable and extraordinary visit to Lanre Olagoke's Regent Street Studio in London
Witnessing the enchanting space where Lanre, a true emblem of Nigerian pride, crafts his masterpieces was an absolute honour.
Lanre is also founder of the Art-Alive Art Trust (AAAT) since 1997 and has been a transformative force, offering access to the arts for young people from diverse backgrounds, including in primary schools and prisons. Through his art, he has not only been inspiring but also a beacon of hope for many.
Mudiare Onobrakpeya
London, U.K.
April 11th 2024
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Plastic Present/Fluorescent Future
"Plastic Present/Fluorescent Future: An Artistic Exploration of Plastic Pollution and the Impact of Abandoned, Damaged and Lost Fishing Gear ( ADLFG) on Marine Life" by Beatrice Bee Arthur
BY OYIZA ADABA, NEW YORK
"Plastic Present/Fluorescent Future: An Artistic Exploration of Plastic Pollution and the Impact of Abandoned, Damaged and Lost Fishing Gear ( ADLFG) on Marine Life" by Beatrice Bee Arthur
In a violently thought-provoking exhibition, Beatrice Bee Arthur joins the many artistic voices which seek to hold up a mirror to society and shed more light on one of the darkest and greatest environmental challenges of our time: plastic pollution and the deadly impact of nylon fishing nets on marine life.
Dubbed "Plastic Presence of a Fluorescent Future" this expo serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address the pervasive issue of oceanic degradation and ubiquitous presence of plastic bottles. Through the medium of a spectacular installation comprised of nylon fishing nets, broken mannequins, plastic forks ,straws, plates, dried coconuts, shells, plastic bottles, polyethylene sheets, a wooden board from a broken canoe, flattened aluminium coffee capsules and a broken mirror, Bee Arthur offers a unique perspective on the detrimental effects of human activity and plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and the planet as a whole.
Visitors to the Mother Earth Festival 2024 on the grounds of Aburi Botanical Gardens are confronted with powerful imagery depicting the stark reality of plastic waste choking our oceans, destroying our marine life and the devastating consequences for our environment. The mannequins, draped in discarded plastics, nylon nets and upcycled plastic products, serve as tangible reminders of the sheer volume of debris that finds its way into our lives and seas each day, and the extent to which we have become indifferently accustomed to its omnipresence.
Yet, amidst the somber portrayal of our plastic-laden present, Arthur offers glimpses of hope and resilience as she juxtaposes black nylon fishing nets with a vision of a fluorescent future where innovation and collective action lead to sustainable solutions and a brighter future. Through this captivating fashion and multimedia installation Bee Arthur explores innovative approaches to waste management, recycling, upcycling and eco-friendly alternatives.
The “Plastic Presence of a Fluorescent Future” expo not only serves as a platform for artistic expression through fashion but also sparks crucial conversations about consumer habits, corporate responsibility, and the importance of conservation efforts. Arthur hopes that visitors who engage with the installation will have discussions about the issues raised and explore actionable steps towards a more sustainable future.
"Plastic Present/Fluorescent Future" challenges us to confront the reality of our impact on the oceans while inspiring us to envision a brighter, more environmentally conscious tomorrow. It is a call to action for individuals, communities, and policymakers to take decisive steps towards preserving our planet's precious marine ecosystems for generations to come.
Plastic Present/ Fluorescent Future Expo is will last through the 27th and 28th of April 2024 as part of Mother Earth Festival organised by Green Butterfly Market. It is supported by Chaint Afrique/NetCycle & Creation Africa Ghana
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The 31st New York African Film Festival lineup announced
NEW YORK — Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) and African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) will celebrate the 31st edition of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) from May 8 to May 14. Since its inception in 1993, the festival has been at the forefront of showcasing African and diaspora filmmakers’ unique storytelling through the moving image. This year’s theme, “Convergence of Time,” explores the intersection of historical and contemporary roles played by individuals representing Africa and its diaspora in art. With more than 50 films from more than 25 countries, the festival invites audiences to delve into the convergence of archival and modern experimentalism, transcending both space and time.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FILM AT LINCOLN CENTER AND AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCE THE COMPLETE LINEUP FOR THE 31ST NEW YORK AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL, MAY 8–14
Featuring the North American premiere of Tolu Ajayi’s Over the Bridge
and the New York premiere of Dibakar Das Roy’s Dilli Dark
Harold George’s short Making Men
to be accompanied by the director’s dance troupe, a first-time event for NYAFF
Mirah, After the Long Rains, Fight Like a Girl, Dynamite, and Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense
NEW YORK — Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) and African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) will celebrate the 31st edition of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) from May 8 to May 14. Since its inception in 1993, the festival has been at the forefront of showcasing African and diaspora filmmakers’ unique storytelling through the moving image. This year’s theme, “Convergence of Time,” explores the intersection of historical and contemporary roles played by individuals representing Africa and its diaspora in art. With more than 50 films from more than 25 countries, the festival invites audiences to delve into the convergence of archival and modern experimentalism, transcending both space and time.
“The 31st New York African Film Festival has so much to offer in terms of honoring the origins of homegrown, beloved African and diaspora film industry, as well as celebrating their references in modern masterpieces,” said Mahen Bonetti, NYAFF Founder and AFF Executive Director.
The Opening Night selection is the North American premiere of Over the Bridge, Tolu Ajayi’s feature about corruption in Lagos as Folarin, a successful investment banker whose company is contracted by the government to oversee a high-profile project, searches for answers when the project goes awry, which leads him to a remote fishing village to put the pieces of the mystery together.
The Closing Night selection features the New York premiere of Dibakar Das Roy’s riveting and uproarious Dilli Dark, which shows the boundaries Nigerian MBA candidate Michael Okeke will push to succeed as he lives a double life as a student and drug dealer amidst the backdrop of India’s history of colonialism, racism, and xenophobia.
The festival will also host the North American premieres of Matthew Leutwyler’s Fight Like a Girl, depicting the true story of a young Congolese woman (Ama Qamata from the hit Netflix series Blood and Water) who finds liberation after joining an all-women’s boxing club in Goma, led by an ex-child-soldier coach; and Oyiza Adaba’s biographical documentary DELA: The Making of El Anatsui, which delves into the life of El Anatsui, the world-renowned sculptor from Ghana, and triumphantly acknowledges the importance of Africa’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
Three festival features are U.S. premieres: Yajaira De La Espada’s documentary Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense, showcasing the life and empowering legacy of the founding father of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, and the recent presidency of Dr. John Pombe Magufuli; Clive Will’s Time Spent with Cats Is Never Wasted, a stark piece of slow-burning cinema featuring a small-town worker who finds success after selling a helicopter he made out of scrap and found objects, while having to fight off the local townsfolk who insist on a cut of the profits; and Perivi Katjavivi’s Under the Hanging Tree, a hard-boiled crime thriller following police officer Christina, as she seeks to uncover details of a murder on a German-owned farm in present-day Namibia, set against echoes of the country’s history of genocide.
Five features making their New York debut are: Damien Hauser’s After the Long Rains, a touching account of 10-year-old Aisha, who longs to become a fisher so she can travel to Europe, and befriends an alcoholic fisherman who promises to teach her; Uche Aguh’s musical romance Dynamite, which finds musician Kiki in an unhappy marriage with her husband/manager and beginning a whirlwind romance with a replacement bassist in her band; Osvalde Lewat’s documentary MK: Mandela’s Secret Army, the little-known story of the military avant-garde founded by global icon Nelson Mandela, screening for the 30th anniversary of South African Freedom Day; This Is Lagos, Kenneth Gyang’s dark comedy featuring aspiring rapper Stevo navigating the dangers of his criminal past after an escape from a heist goes wrong; and The Rhythm and the Blues, the true-life story of legendary bluesman Eddie Taylor and his fight against obscurity, industry corruption, and cultural appropriation, starring actor and musician Leon.
An exciting addition to this year’s festival is La Chapelle, Jean-Michel Tchissoukou’s surreal take on the relationship between Africa, Christianity, and colonialism. A classic feature shot in 1980s Congo, this enchantingly bizarre and bitingly funny satire leaves one questioning the relevance of space and time.
Among many shorts premiering at NYAFF, not to be missed is Harold George’s Making Men. In a first for NYAFF, the screening of George’s film will be accompanied by a live dance performance from George and members of his dance troupe, as well as a discussion afterwards. A brilliant question of masculinity, visually probed via imagery of traditional customs, the film supplies modern questions with ancestral answers. Another, Love Taps, directed by Derrick Woodyard and executive produced by Spike Lee, offers another comment on masculinity, secrets, and family ties.
NYAFF will present an “Art & Activism” Town Hall at The Africa Center on Thursday, May 2, at 6:00pm, featuring artists Christian Nyampeta, Adama Delphine Fawundu, and Taiwo Aloba, moderated by cultural anthropologist, curator, and scholar Paulette Young.
This year’s Master Class presented by AFF will feature veteran independent filmmaker Ngozi Onwurah, who will discuss the craft of utilizing cinema as a tool for unmasking the dynamics of the socioeconomic status quo. The event takes place in the Amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center with tickets available through africanfilmny.org.
“A litany for past suns labeled rituals / A star lit any and all possible futures,” a digital art exhibit of the work of Zainab Aliyu, will run in the Amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center May 9–14 beginning 30 minutes before the first NYAFF screening of the day. The exhibit is inspired by Nikki Giovanni’s “A Litany for Peppe” (1970) and Audre Lorde’s “A Litany for Survival” (1978), two poems written years apart, yet converging thematically through time. As the title suggests, the piece is structured as a litany, a repetitive and rhythmic form often used in ceremonial settings. In this context, Aliyu’s litany serves as a call to action for her communities to alchemize their shared histories toward shared futures.
Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 11 at noon ET. Ticket prices are $17 for the general public; $14 for students, seniors, and persons with disabilities; and $12 for FLC Members. See more and save with a 3+ Film Package ($15 for general public; $12 for students, seniors (62+), and persons with disabilities; and $10 for FLC Members), the $99 All-Access Pass, or the $79 Student All-Access Pass. Contact info@africanfilmny.org for information about attending the Opening Night Party.
The festival continues at Maysles Documentary Center in Harlem from May 17 to 19 and culminates at Brooklyn Academy of Music under the name Film Africa from May 24 to May 30 during Dance Africa.
The programs of AFF are made possible by the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, New York Community Trust, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Bradley Family Foundation, Domenico Paulon Foundation, NYC & Company, French Cultural Services, Manhattan Portage, Black Hawk Imports, Essentia Water, South African Consulate General, National Film and Video Foundation, and Motion Picture Enterprises.
FILMS & DESCRIPTIONS
The Opening Night premiere of Over the Bridge will take place at
the Walter Reade Theater (165 W. 65th Street).
All other films will screen at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center (144 W. 65th Street).
Opening Night
Over the Bridge
Tolu Ajayi, 2023, Nigeria, 99m
English and Yoruba with English subtitles
North American Premiere
Folarin is an accomplished investment banker with a beautiful wife and a life most people can only dream of. When a high-profile government project his company was hired to manage goes awry, he starts to question everything he’s ever known to be true. After going missing, he discovers himself in a remote fishing village and starts to put together the missing pieces—but will he ever find his way back home?
Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30pm – Q&A with Tolu Ajayi
Thursday, May 9 at 2:00pm
Closing Night
Dilli Dark
Dibakar Das Roy, 2023, India, 100m
English, Hindi, Yoruba, Pidgin, Bengali, and Gujarati with English subtitles
New York Premiere
New Delhi is not as “new” as the name might suggest. It is an ancient, cosmopolitan city that has seen many rulers, invaders, and settlers over the centuries. It is a city that is multicultural, yet hostile—forever playing out the battle between insider and outsider. But though Delhi has seen many kings, one can say that the city is the only true monarch, a god in itself. Michael Okeke is one of the many Nigerians living in the city, part of a larger African diaspora that is often looked down upon by the locals and accused of being criminals, cannibals, and more. He is studying for his MBA and dreams of joining the booming corporate sector in India, but in the meantime works as a small-time drug delivery guy to make ends meet. Living on the fringes of society, the only person who takes him in is a sketchy woman by the name of Maansi, someone who does not discriminate between black and white—but also seems to find no difference between right and wrong, a sentiment being echoed in every aspect of the city’s DNA. As Michael navigates this tricky landscape and tries to please the god that is Delhi, we are taken on a journey into Indian society’s tricky relationship with race, color, and identity.
Tuesday, May 14 at 8:15pm – Q&A with Dibakar Das Roy
After the Long Rains
Damien Hauser, 2023, Switzerland/Kenya, 90m
Swahili with English subtitles
New York Premiere
Ten-year-old Aisha is given a school assignment to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. She soon realizes that everyone is taking over their parents’ businesses and professions, but she has bigger dreams: She wants to go to Europe and become an actress. Her plan is to become a fisher so that she can sail to Europe, but her mother thinks that fishing should be left to men. Despite all this, she meets an alcoholic fisherman named Hassan, who promises to teach her how to fish.
Preceded by
Timis / Dusk
Awa Moctar Gueye, 2023, Senegal, 16m
Wolof with English subtitles
New York Premiere
Pa Kong-Kong is a mysterious man who lives alone in a deserted, gloomy market in the suburbs of Kajar. Rumor has it he tortures little thieves, runaways, and naughty children. Binta, a curious and courageous girl, decides to confront Pa Kong-Kong in the middle of the night, determined to prove to her friends that girls have the bravery to lead.
Sunday, May 12 at 1:00pm – Q&A with Damien Hauser
Monday, May 13 at 2:30pm
La Chapelle
Jean-Michel Tchissoukou, 1980, Congo, 80m
Lingala and French with English subtitles
Set in 1930s Congo, director Jean-Michel Tchissoukou’s comedy La Chapelle humorously portrays the conflicts between African traditions and the Catholic Church during the construction of a chapel. Tensions rise as the village priest clashes with a young teacher, while the villagers navigate the establishment of a school and chapel, frustrating the parish priest.
Preceded by
Jabari
Francis Y. Brown, 2023, Ghana, 6m
English
New York Premiere
Jabari, an orphan raised by seer Hem-Netjer, grows to uncover the mystery behind his birth and the demise of his parents. He takes on mystical giants summoned from the dark realms of the underworld in the course of fulfilling his discovered purpose and saving the innocent people of Aksum.
Thursday, May 9 at 5:30pm
Friday, May 10 at 3:00pm
DELA: The Making of El Anatsui
Oyiza Adaba, 2023, Nigeria, 120m
English, French, and Ewe with English subtitles
North American Premiere
DELA: The Making of El Anatsui is a biographical documentary delving into the life of an extraordinary artist, El Anatsui, the world-renowned sculptor from Ghana. His inner musings find vivid expression in art that defies borders and limitations, reshaping the very concept of sculpture. Oyiza Adaba’s directorial debut triumphantly acknowledges and emphasizes the importance of Africa’s rich artistic and cultural heritage in the pantheon of global contemporary art.
Sunday, May 12 at 3:30pm – Q&A with Oyiza Adaba
Dynamite
Uche Aguh, 2023, Ghana, 60m
English
New York Premiere
Kiki, a songstress managed by her controlling and strong-willed husband Mark, is set to release her latest album when a replacement bassist, Kofi, comes in for a rehearsal with Kiki and her band. Sparks immediately fly, and Kiki is forced to make a difficult decision when she finds herself thrust into this new love affair.
Preceded by
Last Night
Peter Oti Asamoah, 2023, Ghana, 17m
No dialogue
World Premiere
A man’s desire for a beautiful stranger leads him down a dark and dangerous path, where he discovers a terrifying secret lurking beneath the surface. As he searches for the woman who stole his heart, a battle for survival ensues, and the man’s fate hangs in the balance as he fights to uncover the truth about the woman and her secrets. This gripping tale will keep you on the edge of your seat until the shocking finale.
Friday, May 10 at 5:45pm – Q&A with Uche Aguh
Tuesday, May 14 at 2:00pm
Fight Like a Girl
Matthew Leutwyler, 2023, Rwanda/Democratic Republic of the Congo, 118m
English and Swahili with English subtitles
North American Premiere
A young Congolese woman (Ama Qamata from the hit Netflix series Blood and Water) forced to work in an illegal mineral mine escapes her captors and finds a new life for herself after joining a renowned all-women’s boxing club in the border city of Goma. Based on the true story of an East Congo all-women’s boxing club and their ex-child-soldier coach, Fight Like a Girl was shot on location in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
Friday, May 10 at 8:15pm – Q&A with Ama Qamata
Making Men with Discussion + Dance Performance
Antoine Panier, 2019, Belgium/Zimbabwe, 60m
English
New York Premiere
Examining the question of masculinity, this dance film zooms in on four individuals in the process of becoming men. As is expected, they proceed unquestioningly into manhood through various stages of their lives, adopting the clearly coded characteristics dictated by society. However, they’re oppressed by a feeling of unease in the very depths of their being, feeling uncertainty but also something else, harder to define…. Shot in the breathtaking landscape of Zimbabwe, Making Men features strong and rhythmical choreography but also special camerawork that intensifies emotions inspired by the movement. This special hour-long event will feature the New York premiere of the 24-minute film Making Men, followed by a discussion and a special dance performance by Harold George and Berrette Macaulay.
Saturday, May 11 at 1:30pm at Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center Amphitheater – Q&A and live dance performance by Harold George and Berette Macaulay
MK: Mandela’s Secret Army
Osvalde Lewat, 2022, South Africa/France, 57m
English, German, and French with English subtitles
New York Premiere
MK: Mandela’s Secret Army chronicles the lives of former members of uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the African National Congress. The documentary is an intergenerational reflection on the all-consuming call to take up arms for South Africa’s liberation, heeded by young men and women—some barely in their teens—who gave up their lives and any future to risk death for the dream of a free South Africa. The young guerilla fighters of yesteryear are now aging veterans. How will history remember them? Where are they now, and how have they reconciled a past committed to liberation with a present-day reality that their contribution to a free South Africa has almost been forgotten?
Preceded by
Neighborhood Alert
Ngozi Onwurah, 2024, U.S., 30m
English
North American Premiere
Inspired by a true story, Neighborhood Alert tells the story of a Black mother that is forced to take extraordinary action in order to ensure the safety of her teenage son.
Monday, May 13 at 5:30pm – Q&A with MK: Mandela’s Secret Army producer Zola Maseko and Ngozi Onwurah
The Rhythm and The Blues
Darryl Pitts, 2024, U.S., 59m
English
New York Premiere
A tale of passion, struggle, and the enduring power of music in an ever-changing world, The Rhythm and The Blues is the true-life story of legendary bluesman Eddie Taylor and his fight for recognition against obscurity, industry corruption, and the British Invasion’s cultural appropriation. Portrayed by actor and musician Leon, Taylor’s battles extend to his family, where an ambitious young wife and idolizing stepson complicate his quest for musical respect.
Preceded by
Funmi!
Siji Awoyinka, 2024, U.S., 12m
English
World Premiere
Funmi! is a visual praise song for a radiant soul on the occasion of his transcendence from man to melody, from brother to memory.
Saturday, May 11 at 5:30pm – Q&A with Darryl Pitts, Leon Robinson, Adesiji Awoyinka and Funmi Ononaiye's mom
Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense
Yajaira De La Espada, 2023, U.S./Tanzania, 75m
English and Swahili with English subtitles
U.S. Premiere
Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense is a documentary that gives voice to the growing trend of Afro-descendants moving back to the continent of Africa to live. It highlights the life of a professional educator and their journey through the Texas school system to find freedom amid issues surrounding school equity, racism, and miseducation. This is juxtaposed against the life and legacy of the founding father of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, who enacted empowering policies such as Ujamaa and Education for Self-Reliance, and the life and times of Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, the president who denounced COVID-19. While the American education system has left more to be desired in teaching about African leaders such as Nyerere and Magufuli, this documentary dissects the issues of culturally unresponsive curricula and harmful teaching practices in the U.S., providing solutions centered on the history of independence and contemporary political policies of Tanzania. Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense helps viewers to imagine a society governed by teachers and the positive impact they bring.
Co-presented by Cinema Tropical
Saturday, May 11 at 3:00pm – Q&A with Yajaira De La Espada
This Is Lagos
Kenneth Gyang, 2023, Nigeria, 91m
Pidgin and English with English subtitles
New York Premiere
Needing quick cash for studio time, aspiring rapper Stevo works for the psychotic Kojack and his “shoot-rob-run” gang. When their escape from a heist goes wrong, Stevo is separated from the gang. Luckily, he’s the one carrying the loot. In this dark comedy about a musician and his smart city girl, Stevo must navigate the dangers of his criminal past while pursuing his music dreams.
Sunday, May 12 at 9:00pm – Q&A with Kenneth Gyang
Time Spent with Cats Is Never Wasted
Clive Will, 2021, South Africa, 171m
Xhosa with English subtitles
U.S. Premiere
This stark piece of slow cinema captures one man’s battle with the world around him. Joe, a small-town abattoir worker, leads us on this allegorical journey. His dream to fly has impelled him to construct his own helicopter, a ramshackle assembly of scrap and found objects with no real practical capability aside from standing as a monument to his individuality. When an art buyer offers to purchase the flamboyant creation, it is a mixed blessing that causes a fracas among the people of his community, who unjustifiably demand a stake in the potential spoils. Joe is forced to fight off the avaricious townsfolk or lose all he has worked for.
Monday, May 13 at 8:15pm – Q&A with Clive Will
Under the Hanging Tree
Perivi Katjavivi, 2023, Namibia, 93m
English, German, Afrikaans, Otjiherero, and Khoekhoegowab with English subtitles
U.S. Premiere
In this first-of-its-kind film that dissects Namibia’s colonial past, Christina Mureti, a hard-boiled police officer from the city, is transferred to a small desert village in Namibia, where she uncovers a series of grisly animal sacrifices perhaps linked to the disappearance of the villagers’ children. Then a German farmer is found hung on the same tree where Christina’s ancestors were hung a century ago during Germany’s colonial war and genocide. It is only when Christina begins to learn about her people’s history and embraces some of its cultural wisdom that she will be able to solve the case.
Tuesday, May 14 at 5:30pm – Q&A with Perivi Katjavivi
NEW YORK AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL SHORTS PROGRAMS:
ETERNAL SOULS, TRANSIENT BODIES (84m)
Sometimes It Was Beautiful
Christian Nyampeta, 2018, Sweden/Democratic Republic of the Congo, 3m
English and Swedish with English subtitles
A group of unlikely friends gather in a time-knot to watch and critique films made by Swedish cinematographer Sven Nykvist in the Congo between 1948 and 1952. Their discussion highlights enduring tensions surrounding social transformation, cultural property, and who has the right to representation.
Mångata
Maja Costa, 2023, Germany/Italy, 16m
English, Italian, and Yoruba with English subtitles
New York Premiere
As a child, little Alya is the only survivor of a tragic Mediterranean crossing from Africa to Europe. Many years later, as an astronaut on an important lunar mission, Alya loses communication with her base. She is confronted with her past trauma, and now Mångata—“the road to the moon,” which already saved her life once, will help her again.
For Those That Lived There
Shawn Antoine II, 2023, U.S., 6m
English
New York Premiere
For Those That Lived There weaves a visual tapestry, navigating the poignant impacts of gentrification, the displacement of Black legacies and the emergent migrant narratives.
The Prophecy
Rehanna Ngom, 2023, Senegal/U.S., 20m
English and Wolof with English subtitles
World Premiere
Tabara, a second-generation immigrant from Senegal living in America, suffers from the consequences of a rape, with her trauma manifested in nightmares where a monstrous creature, mutilated above recognition, mocks her. After unsuccessful therapy and advice from her traditional grandmother, Tabara decides to travel to Senegal for the first time to seek treatment from an unorthodox source—an African marabout, a holy man who is believed to have supernatural power.
The Last Bash
Diego de Jesus, 2023, Brazil, 24m
Portuguese with English subtitles
New York Premiere
Young people gather for a party before going into COVID-19 lockdown. They talk about music, arts, work, and the uncertain future, not knowing when they will be able to meet again.
The Wait
Imran Hamdulay, 2023, South Africa, 15m
English, Xhosa, and Afrikaans with English subtitles
World Premiere
After arriving at a Cape Town police station to report a crime, Mzu finds an elderly man has been overlooked while waiting at the back of the queue. The station is busy and the old man is confused with no one to assist him. Mzu takes it upon himself to see that this man is helped but quickly finds resistance from those ahead in line and the stifling bureaucratic system. The Wait is an allegory of South Africa’s complex society, where a sense of powerlessness and hope exist together at all times.
Thursday, May 9 at 8:30pm – Q&A with Rehanna Ngom and Christian Nyampeta
PERPETUAL CONNECTIONS (98m)
Love Taps
Derrick Woodyard, 2023, U.S., 14m
English
New York Premiere
A young boy trying to cope with his parents’ separation gains a new perspective of his father after discovering his affair with another man.
The Last Joint
Devin Powell, 2024, U.S., 7m
English
World Premiere
Iman indulges in a last joint before he takes a tolerance break. Once all of the herbs are gone, his phone starts to blow up. Texts from his supplier and from his love interest, Tori, pressure Iman to succumb to his environment and pursue more stress-relieving medicine. Through this journey Iman learns if the collapse of his discipline was worth it.
Jeanne
Antoine Paley, 2023, France, 12m
French with English subtitles
New York Premiere
Jeanne Duval, the mixed-race muse and partner of Charles Baudelaire has been forgotten by time and erased by history. But she refuses to remain silenced. In this short we see April 27, 1842: a day in the life of Duval and Baudelaire. As the day goes on, the weight of Charles’s words and needs becomes increasingly difficult for Jeanne to bear.
Mirah
Ahmed Samir, 2024, Egypt/Germany, 18m
English, Arabic, and German with English subtitles
World Premiere
Inspired by a true story, Mirah, an Egyptian immigrant living in Germany, finds a unique way to adapt to the fast life of Berlin. Through the fictional story of Mirah and her journey of self-discovery, the film invites audiences to question the social masks we wear to feel safe.
Papi
Ashley L. Canfield, 2024, U.S., 23m
English and Spanish with English subtitles
North American Premiere
Hector Jr. tries to navigate the complexities of reconciling his self-identity amidst his father’s COVID-19 crisis.
Addis, My Father
Kitoko Diva, 2023, France/U.S., 8m
Amharic and English with English subtitles
U.S. Premiere
A sense of the inevitable fills the silence between Addis and Rahel, a father and daughter, as they work tirelessly in their empty clock and antique repair shop.
Black Dreams
Chiemeka Offor, 2024, U.S., 16m
English
New York Premiere
In a realm of darkness, a young woman harnesses divine visions of God, light, and water to manifest her dreams, unlocking a mesmerizing inner universe of art, beauty, and movement beyond imagination. Black Dreams is a surreal, experimental documentary, an artistic testament to young, Black, queer artists in New York. As they peel back the layers, they unearth their own brilliance, discovering solace and kinship within their community, and a newfound sense that they are never truly alone. Black Dreams is evidence of our magic.
Saturday, May 11 at 8:00pm – Q&A with Ashley L. Canfield, Naima Hebrail Kidjo, Devin Powell, Ahmed Samir, and Derrick Woordward
VESSELS OF FORTITUDE (101m)
A Quiet Monday
Dika Ofoma, 2023, Nigeria, 22m
Igbo and English
U.S. Premiere
When the leader of a secessionist group in southeastern Nigeria is jailed, his loyalists mandate a compulsory “sit-at-home” on Mondays in protest. Siblings Kamnonu and Ogbonna face danger when they defy the Monday restrictions.
I Promise You Paradise
Morad Mostafa, 2023, Egypt, 25m
Arabic with English subtitles
New York Premiere
Following a violent incident, Eissa, a 17-year-old African migrant in Egypt is in a quest against time to save his loved ones—no matter what it takes.
Bege (Yearning)
Umar Turaki, 2023, Nigeria, 14m
Hausa with English subtitles
North American Premiere
When Sanda shows up at her front door years after their breakup, Amina plays the perfect host. As the conversation unfolds, they acknowledge the things that time has made plain. But do they have the courage to confront the elephant in the room? Bege (Yearning) shines a light on the oft-unspoken emotional toll that comes about when love falls out of bounds for medical reasons, and examines what happens when the body betrays the heart.
Cape Town Royalty Program
Max Fouchee, 2023, South Africa, 7m
English
New York Premiere
An ad presenter has to sell the dream of the South African city Cape Town as a luxurious yet cost-effective new home to wealthy Europeans. Once she realizes her script is problematic, she tries her best to let the prospective audience know about the daily reality of Cape Town’s citizens.
Wèrè
Dolapo Marinho, 2023, Nigeria, 24m
Pidgin and Yoruba with English subtitles
North American Premiere
A homeless woman relies on the kindness of a stranger to survive. When her lifeline disappears, she is forced to ensure her own survival in a perilous city with devastating consequences.
Where My Memory Began
Priscillia Kounkou Hoveyda, 2023, Sierra Leone, 9m
Krio with English subtitles
New York Premiere
Where My Memory Began follows elder Ballu as she tries to remember a 400-year-old cotton tree.
Sunday, May 12 at 6:30pm
Master Class: Ngozi Onwurah
Join AFF as veteran independent filmmaker Ngozi Onruwah discusses the craft of utilizing cinema as a tool for unmasking the dynamics of the socioeconomic status quo in an intimate conversation with Ashley Clark, Curatorial Director at the Criterion Collection, in the Amphitheater in the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center.
Thursday, May 11, at 11:30am at Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center Amphitheater
FILM AT LINCOLN CENTER
Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) is a nonprofit organization that celebrates cinema as an essential art form and fosters a vibrant home for film culture to thrive. FLC presents premier film festivals, retrospectives, new releases, and restorations year-round in state-of-the-art theaters at New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. FLC offers audiences the opportunity to discover works from established and emerging directors from around the world with a passionate community of film lovers at marquee events including the New York Film Festival and New Directors/New Films.
Founded in 1969, FLC is committed to preserving the excitement of the theatrical experience for all audiences, advancing high-quality film journalism through the publication of Film Comment, cultivating the next generation of film industry professionals through our FLC Academies, and enriching the lives of all who engage with our programs.
Film at Lincoln Center receives generous, year-round support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Film at Lincoln Center. For more information, visit filmlinc.org and follow @filmlinc on X and Instagram.
AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL, INC.
Since 1990, African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) has bridged the divide between postcolonial Africa and the American public through the powerful medium of film and video. AFF's unique place in the international arts community is distinguished not only by leadership in festival management, but also by a comprehensive approach to the advocacy of African film and culture. AFF established the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) in 1993 with Film at Lincoln Center. The New York African Film Festival is presented annually by the African Film Festival, Inc. and Film at Lincoln Center, in association with Brooklyn Academy of Music and Maysles Cinema. AFF also produces a series of local, national, and international programs throughout the year. More information about AFF can be found on the Web at www.africanfilmny.org. You can follow AFF at @africanfilmfest on X and Instagram.
For press inquiries regarding Film at Lincoln Center, please contact:
John Kwiatkowski, Film at Lincoln Center, JKwiatkowski@filmlinc.org
Eva Tooley, Film at Lincoln Center, ETooley@filmlinc.org
For press inquiries regarding African Film Festival, Inc., please contact:
Cheryl Duncan, Cheryl Duncan & Company Inc., cheryl@cdcprnews.com
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OJAHH Opening Soon!!!
In honor of the late musical genius ORLANDO JULIUS. His legacy is carries on through his devoted loving wife Latoya Aduke - Afro Soul
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
OJAHH Opening Soon!!!
In honor of the late musical genius ORLANDO JULIUS. His legacy is carries on through his devoted loving wife Latoya Aduke - Afro Soul
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iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival 2024
iREP 2024, the 14th edition of the annual ritual, will feature conversations, screenings, workshops, networking sessions, and other related activities. Over 45 films are expected to be screened at the two venues hosting the festival this year vis: Freedom Park, 1 Hospital Road, Lagos Island, and Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi.
iREP2024 || PLENARY SESSIONS || RIGHTING THE FUTURE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBigPVzEoBY
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74493263775?pwd=KxqUV26vS8J37aevDwJMbLMuR2sY82.1
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Omoyele Sowore Returns To A Rousing Welcome In The U.S
After five long years away from the U.S, where his family primarily resides, Omoyele Sowore, the presidential aspirant that was held by The Muhammadu Buhari administration - returned to a rousing welcome in New York.
Omoyele Sowore Returns To A Rousing Welcome in the U.S
After five long years away from the U.S, where his family primarily resides, Omoyele Sowore, the Presidential aspirant and journalist that was held by The Muhammadu Buhari administration - returned to a rousing welcome in New York.
Omoyele Sowore and his family. Photo by Saharareporters
#RevolutionNow convener Omoyele Sowore, on Saturday, arrived in the United States of America after five years to reunite with his family.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the activists would be traveling to the US Friday night (tonight) to reunite with his family.
This comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of his passport following the decision of the Nigerian government to withdraw its treasonable felony case against the #RevolutionNow convener, four years after it was seized and he was barred from leaving Nigeria.
The human rights activist and two-time presidential candidate was warmly welcomed by friends and family on Saturday. Sowore, who departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos late Friday night on a United Airlines flight to DC Washington Dulles International Airport, was accompanied by his supporters to the airport.
After some tense confrontations with some Air Force and immigration officers upon his arrival at the Lagos airport over their refusal to allow his supporters and media crew to film his departure, Sowore left and arrived in Washington, D.C., according to his live stream upon arrival.
After U.S. immigration protocols, Sowore took a second leg of his trip to Newark International Airport, where his family and friends met him upon arrival at about 10 AM U.S. Eastern Time.
His friends, led by a member of the TakeItBack Movement, Kayode Ojo, a New York-based tax consultant, later met Sowore’s obviously excited family – his wife, Opeyemi, and his two kids.
Pius Omoregha, Adebayo Niyi, Seun Akinfolarin, also present at the airport were Friday Valentine Offo, Odinma Anaedo social Club USA, Engineer Victor and many others.
The activist said in a press invitation sent to SaharaReporters on Friday that his trip would be for a short while since he was "bound to return to Nigeria not only to continue my struggle for the total liberation of our people but also to face the myriad of bogus criminal and civil cases thrown at me since my detention began."
Sowore drove home and later attended a reception organized by the City of Haworth. The packed event, organized by the Mayor, Heather Wasser, had in attendance US Congressman Josh Gottheimer, whom Sowore acknowledged as facilitating his return to the U.S.
Sowore’s in-laws, Dr. Soji and Tolu Oluwole, also attended.
Other attendees included members of the Diaspora community led by a former President of the University of Lagos students union and now a foremost chemical engineer in the US, Dr. Malcolm Fabiyi, Bukola Oreofe, Deacon Dele Alade, Ademola Bello, American writer and journalist Lisa Vives, and Nigerian cuisine chef and owner of Brooklyn-based Buka restaurant, Lookman Afolayan.
The event, in which Sowore gave a heartfelt speech, also featured his wife, Opeyemi, appreciating the women who led the campaign for the activist’s release in Haworth, New Jersey.
The healthcare marketing consultant said the “friendship and unbreakable bonds” she forged with other women in Haworth helped her cope with the lonely days of wondering if her husband was safe.
“I’m so overwhelmed by the love that surrounds me and my family,” she said.
According to a video of the event posted by northjersey.com, Sowore said in his speech, “I can’t explain how I feel to be here with you today.
“Before I was arrested, nobody knew much about me in this city. I would just occasionally get on the street and run because I do long-distance running. I participated in the city’s runs once in a while. But something is very similar to where I come from; my hometown is as small as what you have here.
“And I remember growing up and saying that I would change the world through my hometown of 3,000 people when it was invaded by the police in 1980. Fast-forward to years later, and I found myself in this small town. Just the way my hometown shook the Nigerian government through me, you shook our government and the world through me again. I became one of the most popular faces throughout my five-year stay in Nigeria. Everybody knew how to spell this place.”
At the reception, Sowore’s daughter read a poem describing her father as “a man with a big heart.”
One of the leading voices was a council member, Alanna Zahn Davis, who spoke passionately about the strong bond Sowore’s incarceration brought to bear on the Haworth community in New Jersey.
To end the event, The Mayor of Haworth, Heather Wasser delivered a proclamation to honour Sowore and his family for their resilience and struggle for the emancipation of their homeland Nigeria.
SaharaReporters on February 15 reported that the President Bola Tinubu-led government had discontinued the treasonable felony case instituted against Sowore.
The development was made known in a document issued by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
The document dated February 15, 2024, was addressed to the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division.
In the document, the government disclosed its intention to also discontinue the case against Sowore’s co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, aka Mandate.
Sowore was arrested by the Department of State Services on August 3, 2019, in Lagos, Nigeria.
He was subsequently detained and charged with treason for calling for nationwide protests as part of the #RevolutionNow movement he started.
Following the notice of withdrawal of the case, which was issued by the government through the Attorney General of the Federation, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of his passport and other items seized from him.
Source: Sahara Reporters
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HARLEM HOSTS GLOBAL AFRICAN WOMEN’S DAY
On March 16, a special Pan-African gala will take place in Harlem to celebrate Global African Women’s Day with African women and women of African descent from around the world, spanning; Africa, Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean.
If you're in New York and looking for a striking statement piece or a versatile staple, international culture and entertainment, the Global African Women’s Day gala is the place to be.
PRESS RELEASE
New York, New York: February 20, 2024
On March 16, a special Pan-African gala will take place in Harlem to celebrate Global African Women’s Day with African women and women of African descent from around the world, spanning; Africa, Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean.
The cultural gala will be held at historic Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem during the annual two-week UN Women’s Conference, Commission on the Status of Women, when New York city streets will swell with parliamentarians, activists, and NGO delegates representing their countries from around the world.
The keynote speaker and honoree for the afternoon will be Her Excellency Verónica Nathaniel Macamo Dlhovo - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique. Also being honored are: Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye, a renowned Nigerian textile artist and gallery owner / Dr. Gina Paige, Co-Founder & President, African Ancestry, Inc. Pioneer, Entrepreneur, Black Identity Influencer / and special recognition to a soul-fusion performing artist and founding fellow of the Teaching Artist Institute, Ms. Kim Poole.
Distinguished guests include Dr. Epsy Campbell, the former Vice President of Costa Rica and Minister of Foreign Affairs. and current member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent who will deliver a special message.
Also, on hand will be live performances by the incomparable Red Sahara and others. As well as, products for sale by Shayee Textiles which produces a range of wearable art, from intricately designed clothing to statement-making accessories. If you're looking for a striking statement piece or a versatile staple, international culture and entertainment, the Global African Women’s Day gala is the place to be.
A portion of the proceeds will support travel grants for women living in rural areas and distressed communities to participate in forums where their issues can be represented.
Registration is $90 For sponsorship and ticket information, Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/3vYoW3q or, contact Deborah C. Nelson at GlobalAWD@gmail.com Message line only 646-535-0755. Global African Women's Day is an activity supporting the UN Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024)
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+234Art Fair Holds First Edition In Lagos
There is a brand-new Nigerian art fair dedicated to supporting emerging artists that is coming up in Lagos from 22nd to 31st March, 2024. +234Art Fair is dedicated to nurturing and uplifting the burgeoning art industry in Nigeria by providing a platform that supports emerging artists and encourages art acquisition.
+234Art Fair is dedicated to nurturing and uplifting the burgeoning art industry
There is a brand-new Nigerian art fair dedicated to supporting emerging artists that is coming up in Lagos. It’s called the +234 Art Fair and will run from 22nd to 31st March, 2024.
+234Art Fair is dedicated to nurturing and uplifting the burgeoning art industry in Nigeria by providing a platform that supports emerging artists and encourages increased interest in art acquisition, thereby contributing to the growth and prosperity of the local art sector as well as its international recognition.
The 2024 theme for the +234 Art Fair is “Heritage”, aimed at young artists to explore ways in which they can build practices that tie to the past but also create new futures. The fair seeks to explore the development of young artists in order to give inspiration and insight on how the creation of an indigenous style contributes to global reach and success.
The Venue for the Fair is the new Ecobank Pan-African Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos. The programme of events include Masterclasses that will treat subjects such as African Art in the Global Art Market, The Business of Photography, Bridging Time: Connecting Heritage and Modernity in Nigerian Art, How to Navigate the International Art Scene as a Local Artist, Artistic Research, Grant Writing, Navigating Biennales and Museums in Contemporary Art
Panelists include Florence Lynch, a New York-based art dealer, Alain Ngann a photographer artist, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, a Nigerian creative photographer, Oluwatoyin Sogbesan an architect, a cultural historian, Jess Castellote, the Director of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art; and many more
The exhibition’s title, “+234Art,” cleverly merges Nigeria’s country calling code (+234) with the encompassing term “Art,” serving as an all-encompassing representation of the contemporary Nigerian art scene and its interconnectedness with the broader African and global art community. This free-entry fair offers an immersive showcase of painting, photography, and sculpture, providing the public with an upclose look at the latest creative endeavours of emerging artists and photographers in Nigeria.
For more info on +234 Art Fair
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Reflections: "The Mask & The Cross" and Bruce Onobrakpeya at 91
Months before his 91st birthday on August 30, 2023, The High Museum of Art Atlanta hosted Bruce Onobrakpeya, the wood-carver’s son who’s life-long artistic journey sought to find a meeting point between The Mask & The Cross
By OYIZA ADABA
Africa-Related New York
The High Museum of Art Atlanta
The Mask & The Cross by Bruce Onobrakpeya
April 7-July 30, 2023
By Mudiare Onobrakpeya
"The Mask and the Cross" are artworks created by Bruce Onobrakpeya, set in the final days of colonial Nigeria and shortly after its independence. These works offer a unique African perspective, delving into the underlying teachings, principles, and lessons derived from the life of Christ and the Resurrection of Christ.
The artist refers to these pieces as "New Masks" because they represent his endeavor to reconstruct and reimagine artworks using ideas from old masks, many of which were discarded and burned by early Christian missionaries.
The New Masks by Onobrakpeya retain the aesthetic potency of the original masks, now manifested in various media such as paintings, plastocasts, low relief sculptures, and other techniques that he has developed and innovated throughout his nearly 65-year artistic career.
These artworks are infused with the same esoteric meanings, conveying a narrative that transcends geographical and chronological boundaries, making them accessible to people of any culture.
"The Cross and the Mask" serve as narratives that reinterpret the universal essence of goodness by focusing on the core values that should foster a deeper understanding of the Christian message. In these artworks, Jesus Christ and other religious figures are depicted as universal symbols, emphasizing the essence of Christianity rather than being bound by the geographical and anatomical contexts of the Jewish and Roman people.
2nd June 2023
Postscript
The Solo exhibition by Onobrakpeya which was extremely well received at the prestigious High Museum in Atlanta, came to a close, at the end of July. "The Mask and tne Cross" is now billed to travel to The Smithsonian Museum, Washington D.C., in the second quarter of 2024 and the National Museum of Montreal, Canada shortly after.
3rd Sept 2023
ARTIST TALK: The celebrated artist Bruce Onobrakpeya was joined in an in-depth conversation on opening night by renowned art historian and critic Dele Jegede , with keynote delivered by his daughter Kabari Onobrakpeya.
ARTIST TALK: Bruce Onobrakpeya and Dele Jegede with renowned art critic, with keynote by Kabari Onobrakpeya. Video Source: The High Museum
“Art is something which I think has proved to be a pattern of working as well as playing; and so I don't stop playing, I don't stop enjoying using my hands. And also I don't stop thinking.
- Bruce Onobrakpeya -
HAPPY 91st BIRTHDAY!
From us @ Africa-Related
To see and do this at 91, is the prayer…Sir Bruce at the Onobrakpeya's Art Center in Agbarha-Otoh Delta State, Nigeria Video courtesy of Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation
Photos of high museum opening by Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation
