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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VERITAS UNIVERSITY MAKES RESOURCE VERIFICATION VISIT TO THE PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL INSTITUTE OF LUX TERRA
The Psycho-Spiritual Institute of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, on Thursday May 23, 2024, hosted a visitation panel from Veritas University, Abuja. The team led by Prof. Mike Kwanashie, were at the take-off site of the Institute to verify the readiness of the Organisation to enter into an affiliate relationship with the university, by way of human and physical resources, as well as policies, processes and procedures.
VERITAS UNIVERSITY MAKES RESOURCE VERIFICATION VISIT TO THE PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL INSTITUTE OF LUX TERRA
The Psycho-Spiritual Institute of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, on Thursday May 23, 2024, hosted a visitation panel from Veritas University, Abuja. The team led by Prof. Mike Kwanashie, were at the take-off site of the Institute to verify the readiness of the Organisation to enter into an affiliate relationship with the university, by way of human and physical resources, as well as policies, processes and procedures. After inspecting the space allotment for all statutory offices and positions, and being taken through the physical and electronic library resources, the team settled down to do a quick evaluation of the curriculum content of the two postgraduate programmes of the Institute, namely, the Post Graduate Diploma in Psycho-Spiritual Trauma Healing, and the Master's degree in Psycho-Spiritual Therapy.
Recall that on April 26, 2024, Lux Terra received the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to begin the process of affiliation with Veritas University, towards floating in Nigeria the integrated Psycho-Spiritual Therapy programmes that the Institute has been running in Nairobi , Kenya, for over 10 years. The recent visit is therefore a significant step towards entering into the affiliation agreement, and towards a subsequent Accreditation Visit by NUC. See pictures below
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Highlights Prof. El Anatsui Receives 2024 Doctor of Fine Arts From BARD COLLEGE
Highlights of BARD COLLEGE ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOURTH COMMENCEMENT
Bard College President Leon Botstein and the Bard College Board of Trustees honored Bard’s exceptional award recipients with Honorary Degrees including Prof. El Anatsui who was the recipient of the 2024 Doctor of Fine Arts
Ghanaian Sculptor, Prof. El Anatsui receiving the 2024 Doctor of Fine Arts at Bard College
Oyiza Adaba, New York
BARD COLLEGE ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOURTH COMMENCEMENT
Bard College held its 164th commencement on Saturday, May 25, 2024. Bard President Leon Botstein conferred 395 undergraduate degrees on the Class of 2024 and 229 graduate degrees. Bard also conferred 40 associate degrees from its microcolleges and Honorary Degrees to exceptional award recipients like Prof. El Anatsui, who was the received the 2024 Doctor of Fine Arts
The Ghanaian sculptor, who is known for his ground-breaking redefinition of sculptural installations that hang in the world’s most prestigeous museums, was in good company. Other recipients include Hollywood actress Rachael Weisz, David C. Banks chancellor of New York City Public Schools, Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress and Imad Abu Kishek president of Al-Quds University (AQU).
Earth Scientist Naomi Oreskes delivered the 2024 Commencement Address, in which she addressed the difficulties of today’s world, and challenged young minds to finding a middle ground in resolving conflicts.
“It's an instinct for many of us to want to resolve contradictions. To conclude that Heidegger must be either a great thinker or a fascist—because how could he be both? To say that Locke, as a racist, cannot be an inspiration to us today. To insist that Schrodinger’s cat must be either alive or dead.”
“The world needs both speaking and listening. If no one spoke, there would be nothing to listen to. But if no one listens, then there isn’t much point in speaking. ”
Located in upstate New York town of Annandale-on-Hudson, Bard College is a liberal art institution that was founded as St. Stephen’s College in 1860. It was also home to the late Nobel Laureate Prof. Chinua Achebe from 1990 to 2009. The Nigerian author of the globally acclaimed novel “Things Fall Apart”, was the Charles P. Stevenson Jr. Professor of Languages and Literature at Bard College.
The ceremony was accompanied by a Luncheon at the President’s residence, a tour of Achebe House, barbecue and fireworks..
Photos for President’s Luncheon, Commencement Ceremony and Tour of achebe house
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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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LEAH SHARIBU 21st BIRTHDAY: SETTING CAPTIVES FREE AND RECORDS STRAIGHT
On her 21st birthday, we were concerned to read media reports about captive Christian heroine schoolgirl Leah Sharibu. While most of the facts reported in the story is old news, including our world exclusive report on her birth of a second child in captivity, we’re troubled by the claim that Leah converted to Islam and was married, “According to a "repentant" terrorist, Sharibu first married Abdulrahman after converting to Islam and had a son with him.”
By Emmanuel Ogebe
US Nigeria Law Group Washington
How Leah exercised her legal rights in captivity
On her 21st birthday, we were concerned to read media reports about captive Christian heroine schoolgirl Leah Sharibu. While most of the facts reported in the story is old news, including our world exclusive report on her birth of a second child in captivity, we’re troubled by the claim that Leah converted to Islam and was married, “According to a "repentant" terrorist, Sharibu first married Abdulrahman after converting to Islam and had a son with him.”
Our sources which include women who were fellow captives with Leah however said
“When she first arrived their camp, they gave her out to a certain commander who took her as his slave, but later on went ahead to free her and marry her.
After taking in for him, she asked for a divorce, because she was always fighting with his wives
She then married her second husband had a baby girl for him in May 2021.
But heard he passed sometime last year Abu Farahi Aka Ali Abdallah.”
The fact of the matter is that Leah was enslaved due to her refusal to convert to Islam and served a particular commander.
He was so impressed with her that he on his own volition decided to emancipate her from serfdom and then married her.
However bitter conflict arose between her and his other wives who still looked down on her as an infidel even if she was now supposed to be their co-wife. Just like the biblical story of Joseph who found favor as a slave in Pharaoh’s commander’s house but got into trouble with his wife, Leah had a similar predicament.
Seizing on her coequal status as a wife and her matrimonial rights under the law, Leah who is a highly intelligent girl applied for divorce and therefore escaped from that toxic environment.
It was a short lived victory because she was immediately taken by a high ranking commander as his wife in view of her status as a high value captive but at least her circumstances changed dramatically henceforth.
The military recently rescued Chibok girl Lydia Simon with three children after 10 years in captivity. it is feasible that the military can rescue this global Nigerian icon too. We commend the military for their gallantry.
In addition to seeking her release by the Tinubu regime to show greater concern for Leah Sharibu, we ask for protection and relocation for her birth mother and siblings who were recently displaced during Easter by terror attacks near Sambisa.
We call on FGN to reunite all rescued Chibok girls to their families and to provide full details of and access to information on total numbers of those rescued to resolve the needless and scandalous controversy of figures of those still missing.
We call on Kano state government to release the Du Merci orphans kidnapped over four years ago by the APC government who have still not been released till date despite full and total exoneration of the wrongfully persecuted humanitarian professor Solomon Tarfa.
Kano state cannot afford to be a running mate to Boko Haram terrorists in kidnapping schoolchildren like its predecessor.
We call on Nigeria to clear the air on false narratives that the CIA rescued 30 Chibok girls as published in a recent book “The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA” by Liza Mundy (Crown Books, October 2023).
Emmanuel Ogebe
US Nigeria Law Group
Washington
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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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Highlights from NYAFF31 Opening Night with Tolu Ajayi
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.
Oyiza Adaba, New York
OVER THE BRIDGE
Director: Tolu Ajayi
Opening Night Film
New York African Film Festival (NYAFF31)
Screening/Q&A with Director
Wednesday May 8, 2024
Film at Lincoln Center, NY
The 31's edition of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF31), opened with the screening of a Tolu Ajayi film "Over The Bridge". The 99-minute made in Nigeria drama made its North American Premiere at the prestigious Walter Reade Theatre Film at Lincoln Center.
On hand to welcome guests from over 25 countries, was NYAFF Executive Director and Founder Mahen Bonetti. Her vision of sharing African cinema since 1993, continues to bring budding and accomplished filmmakers together annually, in the big apple.
Film Synopsis 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?
PHOTOS
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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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NWU Report on Retaliation Against Media Workers During the War on Gaza
For the last 6 months, members of NWU's Digital Media Division have been investigating retaliation in the media industry during the war on Gaza.
Dear members,
For the last 6 months, members of NWU's Digital Media Division have been investigating retaliation in the media industry during the war on Gaza.
A team of two dozen FSP-NWU members collaborated to research and produce the report, which is now live at redlines.nwu.org.
This is a first-of-its-kind effort to document a pattern which many of our industry colleagues have informally observed for several months: the workplace repression and punishment of media workers who have voiced criticism of Israel or support for Palestine. The report tallies 44 cases of workplace retaliation occurring between October 7, 2023, and February 1, 2024, impacting more than 100 people. It draws on data compiled from two surveys distributed by NWU as well as news reports and social media posts.
The testimony gathered highlights how retaliation is affecting coverage of what might be the most important geopolitical event in at least a decade. It also highlights the ways in which retaliation is a labor rights issue. If there is any bright spot in this bleak landscape, it's the power of the union. Unions have been able, in some cases, to prevent retaliation from occurring or seek justice when it does.
As our president Larry Goldbetter said, "As a member of the International Federation of Journalists, the National Writers Union has stood for press freedom and against political targeting of media workers since the union’s founding in 1981. Now, we are witnessing how a coercive and retaliatory environment within the media industry can give way to the arbitrary and violent repression of the press, even in a U.S. context. It has never been more urgent to stand in solidarity with our Palestinian journalist colleagues who have been targeted with extreme violence simply for doing their jobs."
We will continue to stand in that solidarity and use our collective power to fight against repression and censorship, both for ourselves and for our fellow media workers, including the many student journalists at universities across the country.
Share the report widely!
With pride in our union,
Elena Novak
NWU Comms Manager
comms@nwu.org
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THE IAS-UNN 2024 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
The Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in collaboration with the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Conflict, University of Chicago, The Transatlantic Research Group, and the Whelan Research Academy for Religion, Culture and Society, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, invites scholars and graduate students to an international conference entitled Continuity and Change: Rethinking African European Encounters. The conference is scheduled for 18-20 July 2024, with a pre conference workshop on Research and Fieldwork Methodology for graduate students on 17 July 2024 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus.
CALL FOR PAPERS:
THE IAS-UNN 2024 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
The Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in collaboration with the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Conflict, University of Chicago, The Transatlantic Research Group, and the Whelan Research Academy for Religion, Culture and Society, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, invites scholars and graduate students to an international conference entitled Continuity and Change: Rethinking African European Encounters. The conference is scheduled for 18-20 July 2024, with a pre conference workshop on Research and Fieldwork Methodology for graduate students on 17 July 2024 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus.
Continuity and Change: Rethinking African-European Encounters
Institute of African Studies
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
July 18-20, 2024
In recent decades, there have been intense debates on and around the role of European encounters in transforming African societies. Scholars of the African colonial experience agree that the historic arrival of Europeans in Africa, especially during the colonial period, produced an unprecedented change and transformation in African societies. What happened when Europeans encountered and mingled with African societies and people? What role did Europeans (Missionaries, Traders, Administrators, and Scholars) play in facilitating these encounters? In what ways did Africans respond and react to these encounters? In what specific ways have Africans improved (or discarded) the systems introduced (or imposed) by the Europeans? How is the current global power balance reflected in the unfolding continuity or change within Africa? How can one speak to the present by engaging with the history of these encounters? We will explore these questions at the Rethinking African-European Encounters Conference, a three day-long scholars meeting at the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Sub-themes will include, but not limited to, the following:
Control, restriction, and colonial hegemony
Colonial ethnography and representation of Africa
Construction of identity and difference
Christianity, Islam and spirituality in Africa
Decolonial thinkers and critique of Eurocentrism
Colonial economic models and their aftermath
Indigenous forms of slavery
Neo-slavery and other forms of servitude
European languages and language ideologies
Labour and production relations
Reproducing colonial political economy
The nation-state and loss of indigenous autonomy
Texts, images, and colonial representation
Otherness and Othering in the colonial context
African resistance and colonial Institution
Modern bordering and migration encounters
Reinterpretations of cultural encounters
Intersections of race and gender biases
Women, motherhood and colonial ideology
Mapping gender in the colonial context
Pre-and post-colonial social organisations
Elections and liberal democracy in the post-colonial era
Art, education, literature, music, theatre, film and society in postcolonial Africa
Art and art markets as playgrounds of European fancy in Africa?
The arts as a platform/tool for the unbalanced Europe-Africa encounter
The conference honours the life and work of Professor Felix Ekechi (1934-2023), whose illustrious historic career as a teacher and scholar centred on Africa’s engagement with Europeans. Ekechi’s most influential works include Missionary Enterprise and Rivalry in Igboland, 1857-1914 (nominated for the African Studies Association Herskovit’s Award); Tradition and Transformation in Eastern Nigeria: A Sociopolitical History of Owerri and Its Hinterland, 1902-1947; and Pioneer, Patriot, and Nigerian Nationalist: A Biography of the Reverend M.D. Opara, 1915-1965. These groundbreaking works show how European encounters with Africa shaped history, indigenous responses, and identities.
Abstracts of 200 words or less should be sent as attached Microsoft Word files to ias.conference@unn.edu.ng on or before 20 May 2024. The author’s name, institutional affiliation, email address, and contact phone number should be provided under the proposed paper title before the abstract. Successful abstracts will be announced by May 27, 2024. Completed papers are required no later than 30 June 2024.
THE CONFERENCE PRESENTATION FORMAT SHALL BE IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL.
Conference Fees
Participants from outside Africa: $100
Africa-based scholars and researchers: N15,000
Africa-based student participants: N5,000
All inquiries regarding submissions should be directed to ias.conference@unn.edu.ng Prospective participants whose papers or panel proposals are accepted will receive further registration and payment details.
Contact Info:
Prof. Chima Korieh
Institute of African Studies
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Contact Email: ias.conference@unn.edu.ng
Chief Host:
Professor Charles Arizechukwu Igwe
Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Host:
Professor Ozioma Onuzulike
Director, Institute of African Studies,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Tel/Whatsapp: +234-8064566346
IG: @ozioma.onuzulike
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May 17: Junior Pope Burial Announced
…Burial poster and arrangements to be released soon
The Central Planning Committee that will plan and execute the burial of late Nollywood star, John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo better known by his stage name Junior Pope has been announced.
Press Release.
May 17: Junior Pope Burial Announced
…Burial poster and arrangements to be released soon
The Central Planning Committee that will plan and execute the burial of late Nollywood star, John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo better known by his stage name Junior Pope has been announced.
In the statement containing the list of the members of the committee which was made available to Journalist101, a Director in the state Civil Service, Mr. Chijoke Ngwu is the chairman of the committee while Enugu State government is represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Aka Eze Aka.
Also, tye family of the late movie star is represented in the committee by his elder brother, Mr. Ivor Luke Odonwodo while Dr. Amuche Nnabueze will take charge of the Media and Publicity Subcommittee.
Furthermore, the statement stated that “the tentative date of burial for our fallen hero is Friday, 17th May, 2024. The programme of events around his farewell is being finalised with the family and the Funeral Poster encapsulating these events will be shared by the CPC with the general public shortly.”
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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Coalition of 50 Organizations call for Special Students Status (SSR) for Nigerian International Students
WASHINGTON, DC - April 3, 2024 Over 50 local, state, and national organizations, spearheaded by the Nigerian Center in Washington, D.C., are urgently urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to grant immediate designation of Special Student Relief (SSR) for Nigerian students.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact :
Nkechi Ilechie,
Policy Director, Nigerian Center.
Coalition of 50 Organizations call for Special Students Status (SSR) for Nigerian International Students
WASHINGTON, DC - April 3, 2024 Over 50 local, state, and national organizations, spearheaded by the Nigerian Center in Washington, D.C., are urgently urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to grant immediate designation of Special Student Relief (SSR) for Nigerian students. This designation is crucial as Nigeria currently grapples with one of its most severe economic downturns in recent memory, ignited by soaring inflation rates exacerbated by monetary measures, resulting in a historic decline in the value of the national currency, the naira. As of April 1, 2024, the exchange rate stands at 1,304 to $1. Such currency fluctuations can significantly escalate the cost of education, rendering it challenging for students and their families to afford these expenses.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) possesses the authority to suspend certain regulatory requirements for F-1 students and issue Special Student Relief (SSR) benefits under emergent circumstances such as natural disasters, armed conflict, and financial crises. F-1 students from countries undergoing such conditions encounter substantial economic hardship. SSR permits students directly impacted by the crises to apply for employment authorization to work off-campus, exempt them from regular student employment requirements, and enable them to reduce their course loads if necessary.
Individuals seeking immigration assistance are encouraged to reach out to the Nigerian Center online or via phone at 202-330-0352.
"Nigeria, as one of Africa's most populous nations and a significant contributor to global academic endeavors, faces economic turmoil jeopardizing the educational aspirations of its youth. The plea for SSR designation underscores the urgent need for compassionate and pragmatic measures to support Nigeria," stated Nkechi Ilechie, Policy Director, Nigerian Center.
"During the recent visit to Nigeria, Secretary Antony Blinken reiterated the United States' commitment to Nigeria across various sectors, including economic, military assistance, and cultural exchanges. SSR presents an opportunity to actualize these commitments as it directly impacts Nigerian citizens studying and preparing for global leadership opportunities that strengthen US-Nigeria ties," remarked Gbenga Ogunjimi, Executive Director, Nigerian Center.
Letter signatories : African Communities Together (ACT) African Immigration Initiative Al Otro Lado American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Asian Children's Educational Fellowship Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. Chacón Center for Immigrant Justice Church Women United in New York State Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) Communities United for Status & Protection (CUSP) Delaware Africa Coalition Deported Asylum Seekers Assistance Project DRUM - Desis Rising Up & Moving Estrella del Paso (Formerly DMRS) FAITH IN TEXAS Global African Business Association (GABA) Global Vision Foundation, inc Haitian Bridge Alliance Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project International Institute of New England Justice Action Center Louisiana Advocates for Immigrants in Detention NAPAC USA National Employment Law Project National Partnership for New Americans Nigerian American Lawyers Association (NALA) Nigerian Center Nigerian Economic Summit Group Omo Yoruba Association, Inc Poder Latinx RCCG - Jesus House, DC Rebirth Hub Africa Red Eagle Enterprises Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, New York Strangers No Longer (Michigan) The Campaign for Hong Kong The Coalition of African & Caribbean Communities-Philadelphia (AFRICOM) The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights True Alliance Center Inc. Page | 4 UndocuBlack Network United African Organization United Nigerian Americans council-md Wilco Justice Alliance Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics and Agriculture Yoruba Unite of North Carolina Zumunta Association USA Inc
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PHOTOS: The Global African Women’s Day 2024
A special Pan-African gala took place at historic Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem on March 16, 2024 during the annual two-week UN women’s conference, Commission on the Status of Women. The purpose of the gala and award ceremony was 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.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
A special Pan-African gala took place at historic Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem on March 16, 2024 during the annual two-week UN women’s conference, Commission on the Status of Women. The purpose of the gala and award ceremony was 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.
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EL ANATSUI at TATE MODERN Until April 15
If you are in or close to London, love art and yet to see El Anatsui’s “Behind The Red Moon”, showing at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall; the exhibition ends on April 15, 2024
By Oyiza Adaba, London
If you are in or close to London, love art and yet to see El Anatsui’s “Behind The Red Moon”, showing at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall; the exhibition ends on April 15, 2024
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STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN: U.S. Abstention from UN Security Council Resolution on Gaza
Today, the United States abstained on UN Security Council resolution 2728. This abstention, which comes on the heels of the Russian and Chinese veto of our comprehensive draft resolution in the Council, reaffirms the U.S. position that a ceasefire of any duration come as part of an agreement to release hostages in Gaza. While we do not agree with all provisions included in this text, adjustments made by the resolution’s sponsors over recent days are consistent with our principled position that any ceasefire text must be paired with text on the release of the hostages.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson
For Immediate Release
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN
March 25, 2024
U.S. Abstention from UN Security Council Resolution on Gaza
Today, the United States abstained on UN Security Council resolution 2728. This abstention, which comes on the heels of the Russian and Chinese veto of our comprehensive draft resolution in the Council, reaffirms the U.S. position that a ceasefire of any duration come as part of an agreement to release hostages in Gaza. While we do not agree with all provisions included in this text, adjustments made by the resolution’s sponsors over recent days are consistent with our principled position that any ceasefire text must be paired with text on the release of the hostages. This resolution further explicitly recognizes the painstaking, non-stop negotiations being conducted by the Governments of Egypt, Israel, Qatar, and the United States to achieve such a release in the context of a ceasefire, which would also create space to surge more lifesaving humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians, and to build something more enduring.
Because the final text does not have key language we view as essential, notably a condemnation of Hamas, we could not support it. This failure to condemn Hamas is particularly difficult to understand coming days after the world once again witnessed the horrific acts terrorist groups commit.
We reiterate the need to accelerate and sustain the provision of humanitarian assistance through all available routes – land, sea, and air. We continue to discuss with partners a pathway to the establishment of a Palestinian state with real security guarantees for Israel to establish long-term peace and security.
As reflected in my most recent travels to the region, we have been working very closely with our Arab partners to realize these important outcomes. We have also been working to with Israel to ensure October 7 can never be repeated, its security needs are met, and it is further integrated into a more secure and prosperous region. There is consensus on these priorities – a ceasefire, the release of hostages, a surge in humanitarian assistance, and a clear pathway planned for the future. And importantly, there is a growing consensus on the steps needed to achieve these priorities. We will continue our close collaboration with our regional partners to achieve these shared objectives.
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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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