IN CINEMA
31st New York African Film Festival: Convergence Of Time
SHORTS PROGRAM: GIANTS OF AFRICA
Tickets: $15 General Admission / $7 Reduced Price
Saturday, May 18th at 3:30PM
From proud Afros to leather clad biker moms, this collection of shorts highlights the inimitable boldness of Africa and its diaspora.
HAIR CARE
Fatima Wardy, 2023, U.S., Ivory Coast, 12 min.
English and French with English subtitles
When a trip to the African hair salon takes an unexpected turn, a young Ivorian-American woman embarks on a whimsical journey through the animated streets of Abidjan to find her hair braider.
PEPO KALI
Lydia Matata, 2024, Kenya, 15 min.
English and Kiswahili with English subtitles
New York Premiere
PEPO KALI follows Wairimu, a woman in her 50s, as she learns to ride a motorcycle after her daughter's fatal accident. As she grapples with grief, mastering her daughter's passion becomes both a solace and a struggle.
SUNU THIOSSANE: THE MAKING OF AN AFRICAN DREAM
Mamedjarra Bousso Diop, 2023, Senegal, 28 min.
English, Wolof, French and Pulaar with English subtitles
The 10th anniversary documentary of the Sunu Thiossane Youth Development Organization is a captivating journey reflecting a decade of empowering African youth for global influence, emphasizing growth, cultural enlightenment, and community unity.
CROWN
Karisma Jay, Love Nafi, 2023, U.S., 20 min.
Consumed with ballet, Afro-PUNK, and futuristic style, Nia's focus isn't on her hair—unlike her ex-90s prom queen mother, Robyn. When Nia's hair needs attention for a life-changing audition, Robyn introduces her to the complex world of black hair, leading to a rollercoaster journey towards the perfect stage bun. But when an unexpected mishap threatens Nia's audition, both mother and daughter discover the true meaning of empowerment.
NINA FISCHER-STEPHAN’S RESPECTFUL GAZE
Mudi Yahaya, 2022, Nigeria, 40 min.
NINA FISCHER-STEPHAN’S RESPECTFUL GAZE explores the nexus of photography, architecture, and urban development, delving into the cultural and political implications of colonial and post-independence images of Africa. It sheds light on how these images, strategically displayed, evoke diverse memories at historical intersections.
THE BATTLE OF THE GIANTS
Katya Aragão, 2023, São Tomé and Príncipe, 8m
Portuguese with English subtitles
Manu, an Obô Giant Snail, endemic from São Tomé and Príncipe islands is fighting for survival against the intruder Kwame, a West African Giant Land Snail.
Post-screening discussion with filmmakers Karisma Jay, Love Nafi, Fatima Wardy, and Mamedjarra Bousso Diop!
African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) celebrates the 31st edition of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) from May 8 to May 30, 2024. 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 over 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.
