Tanzanian, South African, Senegalese, Western Saharan films for TIFF

Films from Tanzania, South Africa, Senegal and Western Sahara are among international films enlisted for the Short Cuts programme of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The films are ‘Black head cow’ (Engiteng’ Narok Lukunya) Elizabeth Nichols, Tanzania; ‘Paraya’ Sheetal Magan and Martín Morgenfeld, South Africa/France; ‘Samedi’ Cinema Mamadou Dia, Senegal/USA; and ‘Battalion to […]

Films from Tanzania, South Africa, Senegal and Western Sahara are among international films enlisted for the Short Cuts programme of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The films are ‘Black head cow’ (Engiteng’ Narok Lukunya) Elizabeth Nichols, Tanzania; ‘Paraya’ Sheetal Magan and Martín Morgenfeld, South Africa/France; ‘Samedi’ Cinema Mamadou Dia, Senegal/USA; and ‘Battalion to My Beat’ Eimi Imanishi, Algeria/USA/Western Sahara.
A release by the organisers of the festival said the 41 titles which join 33 previously announced Canadian short films, which will screen in 11 curated programmes, are eligible for the Short Cuts Award for Best Film.
The statement said: “With settings that range from rural Tanzania to Mexico City, from war-torn Syria to a seemingly ordinary American suburb, the extraordinary works that make up this year’s programme capture perspectives and experiences in nearly every corner of the globe.”
Other films in the line-up include ‘All Rivers Run to the Sea’ (Toate fluviile curg în mare) Alexandru Badea, Romania; ‘And the Whole Sky Fit in the Dead Cow’s Eye’ (Y Todo el Cielo Cupo en el Ojo de la Vaca Muerta) Francisca Alegría, Chile/USA; ‘Andy Goes In’ Josh Polon, USA; ‘Fluffy’ (Flafi) Lee Filipovski, Serbia/Canada; ‘The Hedonists’ Jia Zhang-ke, China and ‘In the Hills’ Hamid Ahmadi, United Kingdom, among others.
This year’s jury include American filmmaker Abteen Bagheri (‘That B.E.A.T.’), French filmmaker Eva Husson (‘Bang Gang’), and Canadian filmmaker Jeff Barnaby (‘Rhymes for Young Ghouls’).
TIFF organisers have also revealed the line-up of films for its Platform segment.
They said in a statement that the international line-up of this second edition includes two Canadian features as well as selections from Australia, France, Bhutan, Belgium, USA, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
The statement said: “This year, Platform takes on complex and bold narratives that range from a dark, twisted fantasy, a dramatic crime thriller, an existential illusion to the reinterpretation of a satirical tragedy, a raw coming-of-age story, and tales of revolutions, radicals, and revenge.”
Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF said: “The line-up this year aims to shine the spotlight on fearless, artistic films that will inspire a global dialogue around issues that affect us all, and we are thrilled to honour the next generation of filmmakers who are capturing the evolving discourse with their transformative visions.”
The programme will open with the international premiere of the drama, rama’ from critically acclaimed director-writer, Bertrand Bonello.