The New York African Film Festival will be held from May 8-14, 2024.
By Hope Ibiale
The New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) returns for its 31st edition, slated to be held from May 8-14, 2024. This year’s festival will explore the “intersection of historical and contemporary roles played by individuals representing Africa and its diaspora in art”.
The annual film festival, which has selected over 50 films from more than 25 countries, will invite filmmakers and film enthusiasts from various countries to explore the “convergence of archival and modern experimentalism, transcending both space and time”.
Tolu Ajayi’s Over The Bridge will open the festival. Its screening at the festival will also serve as the film’s North American debut. Dibakar Das Roy’s Dilli Dark will close the film festival.
While speaking about the festival, Mahen Bonetti, NYAFF Founder and AFF Executive Director, stated, “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”.
NYAFF will present an “Art & Activism” at the Town Hall at The Africa Centre on Thursday, May 2, at 6:00 pm, featuring artists Christian Nyampeta, Adama Delphine Fawundu, and Taiwo Aloba. Independent filmmaker, Ngozi Onwurah, will also spearhead a masterclass dedicated to aspiring filmmakers. In the masterclass, Onwurah will discuss how to use a camera as a tool for crafting stories around the socioeconomic status quo.
Since its inception in 1993, the festival has been at the centre of showcasing African and diaspora filmmakers’ unique storytelling. Interested participants can purchase tickets here.
The films screening at the film festival include:
Tolu Ajayi – Over The Bridge
Kenneth Gyang – This is Lagos
Dibakar Das Roy – Dilli Dark
Damien Hauser – After the Long Rains
Awa Moctar Gueye – Timis / Dusk
Jean-Michel Tchissoukou – La Chapelle
Francis Y. Brown – Jabari
Oyiza Adaba – DELA: The Making of El Anatsui
Uche Aguh – Dynamite
Peter Oti Asamoah – Last Night
Matthew Leutwyler – Fight Like a Girl
Antoine Panier – Making Men with Discussion + Dance Performance
Osvalde Lewat – MK: Mandela’s Secret Army
Ngozi Onwurah – Neighborhood Alert
Siji Awoyinka – Funmi!
Yajaira De La Espada – Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense
Clive Will – Time Spent with Cats Is Never Wasted
Perivi Katjavivi – Under the Hanging Tree
Christian Nyampeta – Sometimes It Was Beautiful
Rehanna Ngom – The Prophecy
Imran Hamdulay – The Wait
Dika Ofoma – A Quiet Monday
Morad Mostafa – I Promise You Paradise
Umar Turaki – Bege (Yearning)
Max Fouchee – Cape Town Royalty Program
Dolapo Marinho – Wèrè
Priscillia Kounkou Hoveyda – Where My Memory Began