Organisers unveil AFRIFF 2015 programme

Organisers of the annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) have unveiled the line-up of programmes for the fifth edition to hold next month in Lagos. A release quoting its artistic director, Keith Shiri, informed that this year’s event will include a series of industry sessions, master classes and movie screenings totaling 180 films, of which […]

Organisers of the annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) have unveiled the line-up of programmes for the fifth edition to hold next month in Lagos.
A release quoting its artistic director, Keith Shiri, informed that this year’s event will include a series of industry sessions, master classes and movie screenings totaling 180 films, of which 155 are in competition.
“The selection in this edition is not only celebrating African cinema but demonstrates once more that the cinematic storytelling industry in Africa has become more compelling and visible,” Shiri said.
He said the official competition for best film which recognises distinctive and inspiring filmmaking will feature a diverse range of films, among them ‘Red Leaves,’ a riveting feature debut by Israel-based Ethiopian filmmaker Bazzi Gete.
Feature films in contention include Jonas Carpignano’s ‘Mediterranea,’ Akin Omotoso’s ‘Tell Me Something Sweet,’ Genevieve Nnaji’s ‘Road To Yesterday,’ Yared Zeleke’s ‘Lamb,’ as well as Desmond Elliot’s ‘Reflections.’ 
In the documentary category are ‘Sembene,’ by Samba Gadjigo based on the life of the late francophone filmmaker, Ousmane Sembene, who is considered a pioneer and colossus of African cinema; Ireti Bakare’s ‘Buhari and the Burden of Expectations’ and Toni Ayamode’s ‘Unbroken.’
This is as Mpumelelo Mcata offers his first experimental in ‘Black President,’ an engaging conversation between the debutant director and his friend the artist, about the impact on young creatives working in today’s African metropolis.
“We are hoping for a busy and exciting time of doing business, networking and celebration of Africa’s new aesthetic experience, a cinema that is in synch with the realities of today,” Shiri stated.
“It is always a daunting task to go through all the submitted titles to fit in a programme that runs for a week but I would like to congratulate and thank all the filmmakers for sharing their work with us,” he added. 
This year, AFRIFF will focus on screening films with topical contents which engage audiences and provoke debates. One of such is ‘Thomas Sankara,’ a documentary by Christophe Cupelin on the late former president of Burkina Faso.
According to founder and CEO of AFRIFF, Ms. Chioma Ude, at the core of the festival’s objectives is the talent development where AFRIFF has been engaging with its partners in creating opportunities for young people to explore filmmaking.