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The British Blacklist's 2022 Film Africa Festival - What to Watch List BEYOND NOLLYWOOD

A photo essay tribute to the strength and diversity of the African woman. Part of a selection of shorts reflecting life’s troubles through a modern West African lens. Documentary, drama and animation make a compelling new cross-genre shorts programme from Beyond Nollywood creator, curator and author Nadia Denton.

Film Africa is London’s biggest biennial festival celebrating the best African cinema from across the continent and diaspora brought to you by the Royal African Society.

In 2022, Film Africa returns for its 10th edition from Friday, 28th October to Sunday 6th November 2022.

The festival brings 48 titles from 16 African countries, including 22 UK, European and World Premieres, Film Africa will host screenings across 7 London venues as well as feature a selection of 7 narrative and documentary films on BFI Player. Bringing diverse London and UK audiences a high-quality and wide-ranging film programme accompanied by a vibrant series of events, including director Q&As, talks and panel discussions; workshops and masterclasses; Film Africa Young Audiences school screenings and family activities; and Film Africa LIVE! music nights. Film Africa also recognises and supports new film-making talent through the Baobab Award for Best Short Film and the Audience Award for Best Feature Film.

The full programme features films, series and immersive artworks.

We’ve pulled out the films we think you our wonderful audience will enjoy …

HERE ARE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS …

OPENING FILM: OUR FATHER THE DEVIL

Ellie Foumbi’s debut feature length, Our Father, the Devil is a powerful and deeply suspenseful film that burns with the righteous intensity of its intriguing heroine as well as the filmmaker’s willingness to take audiences on a morally ambiguous journey. Provocative and sure footed, Our Father, the Devil interrogates trauma, revenge, survival, loss, love and other human complexities with brilliant performances and masterful storytelling.

Director: Ellie Foumbi

UK PREMIERE + DIRECTOR Q&A (BSL interpreted)

Friday 28th October 6:30 PM | Picture House Central | Book Now

Saturday 29th October 3:00 PM | South London Gallery | Book Now


#BLACKBOYJOYGONE (DOC SHORT)

What does joy mean to the Black man? This interesting hybrid documentary, made by- and for- Black men seeks to uncover this question. Touching on topics like mental health, toxic masculinity and sexual abuse, #BlackBoyJoyGone opens up discussions often considered taboo in Black communities with the hopes of finding healing from sharing. The stories unearth strength from vulnerability and beauty from trauma. Blending candid interviews, poetry, dance performances and oral storytelling,#BlackBoyJoyGone takes a snapshot of the lived realities of its subjects, highlighting a common brotherhood.

Directors: Ashley Karrell & Isaac Ouro-Gnao

Sunday 30th October 4:00pm | The Africa Centre | BOOK NOW


BURKINA BABES (SHORT)

A photo essay tribute to the strength and diversity of the African woman. Part of a selection of shorts reflecting life’s troubles through a modern West African lens. Documentary, drama and animation make a compelling new cross-genre shorts programme from Beyond Nollywood creator, curator and author Nadia Denton.

Director: Kagho Idhebor

BURKINA BABES

Saturday 29th October 5:30pm | BFI Southbank | BOOK NOW


I AM (SHORT)

Noé finds a motionless android in the forest and reactivates it, bringing to life a strange relationship. Part of a selection of shorts reflecting life’s troubles through a modern West African lens. Documentary, drama and animation make a compelling new cross-genre shorts programme from Beyond Nollywood creator, curator and author Nadia Denton.

Director: Jerry Hoffmann

Saturday 29th October 5:30pm | BFI Southbank | BOOK NOW


AMANSA TIAFI (PUBLIC TOILET AFRICA)

Ama returns home, the city where she was gifted to a white art collector as a little girl. She recruits her ex-lover on a quest to reclaim her stolen childhood. But, things go awry and they escape the city, only to end up on a series of bizarre encounters as their fate is tied to that of the two passengers they pick up. Amansa Tiafi is reminiscent of Touki-Bouki, with sensuous cinematography punctuated by Hi-Life and Afrobeat.

DINE & VIEW + DIRECTOR Q&A

Director: Kofi Ofosu-Yeboah

Monday 31st October 07:00pm | The Africa Centre | BOOK NOW

Tuesday 1st November 07:00pm | The Africa Centre | BOOK NOW


DEAFFEST

This year Film Africa partners once again with the UK’s leading Deaf Film & Arts festival, Deaffest, to present a programme of films by Deaf filmmakers along with a live panel discussion.

The films include: Follow The Sign (Dirs. Chris Fonseca and Harry Jardine)
, Human Spirit (Dir. Kevin Walker), Night Shift (Dir. Bim Ajadi), Send Back The Echo (Dir. Jasmin Kent Rodgman), Silent World (Dir. Charlie Dennis), The Multi (Dir. Natasha Ofili and Storm Smith) and Triple Oppression (Dir. Vilma Jackson).

Triple Oppression -Vilma Jackson

Thursday 3rd November 02:00pm | Rich Mix | BOOK NOW


IRRÉPROCHABLE (FLAWLESS)

Director: Anaïs Lonkeu

When you’re black, you have to work twice as hard as the others, otherwise you will disappear”. Flawless captivatingly performs race politics through the lens of a young girl, Laura.

Saturday 5th November 3:00pm | Rich Mix | BOOK NOW


TEJU’S TALE (SHORT)

Set in the 1950s, Teju, like many young ladies across the British Empire, relocates to London from Lagos to study nursing, an opportunity meant to widen her horizons. Ready to take on the challenge and excel, Teju is in for a shock: her colleagues demand to see her tail.

Director: Teniola Zara King

Saturday 5th November 3:00pm | Rich Mix | BOOK NOW


Friday 28th October – Sunday 6th November 2022. You can find the link to the full Film Africa programme here.

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