African Women in Cinema Blog - Updates | Actualités 17.01.2020 - News around the Internet | Les infos autour de l’Internet

African Women in Cinema Blog

Updates | Actualités

17.01.2020

News around the Internet |

Les infos autour de l’Internet

Content | Contenu

Chinonye Chukwu

Tsitsi Dangarembga

Claire Diao

Khadidia Djigo

Maimouna Doucouré

Rahmatou Keïta

Marème N'Diaye

Pascale Obolo

Akosua Adoma Owusu

Chinonye Chukwu

Chinonye Chukwu to helm first two episodes of Lupita Nyong'o HBO Max Series "Americanah"

Source: Deadline.com by Patrick Hipes. 15 January 2020.

https://deadline.com/2020/01/chinonye-chukwu-americanah-director-lupita-nyongo-hbo-max-series-1202831886/

Tsitsi Dangarembga

Tsitsi Dangarembga: 'Reading Toni Morrison's Beloved Changed my life'

Source: Guardian.com 10 January 2020.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/10/tsitsi-dangarembga-books-that-made-me

Khadidia Djigo

Les Émissions CANAL+ Afrique

Claire Diao - TV s'est rendue au CanalOlympia Téranga de Dakar pour rencontrer sa directrice Khadidia Djigo

Source: Les Emissions CANAL+ Afrique Facebook Videos. 06 January 2020.

https://www.facebook.com/emissionscanalplusafrique/videos/461228978161992/

Maimouna Doucouré

Netflix Buys World Rights to Maimouna Doucouré’s Sundance-Player ‘Cuties’ - (Mignonnes)

Source: Variety.com by Martin Dale. 14 January 2020.

https://variety.com/2020/film/global/netflix-buys-world-rights-to-maimouna-doucoures-sundance-player-cuties-1203467013/

Rahmatou Keïta

Tête à tête avec Rahmatou Keïta

Source: Cameroon-tribune.com by Maimounatou. 07 janvier 2020.

https://www.cameroon-tribune.cm/article.html/30184/fr.html/CT-article

Marème N'Diaye

Les Émissions CANAL+ Afrique

Claire Diao - TV a rencontré l'actrice sénégalaise Marème N'Diaye actuellement en tournage sur l'île de Gorée, à Dakar

Source: Les Emissions CANAL+ Afrique Facebook Videos. 15 January 2020.

https://www.facebook.com/emissionscanalplusafrique/videos/505709106965048/

Pascale Obolo

Rencontre avec Pascale Obolo, cinéaste et fondatrice de la revue d’art Afrikadaa
« On ne peut plus continuer à parler de nous, sans nous ! »

Source: 9lives-magazine.com. 14 janvier 2020

https://www.9lives-magazine.com/48413/2019/01/14/rencontre-avec-pascale-obolo-cineaste-et-fondatrice-de-la-revue-dart-afrikadaa-on-ne-peut-plus-continuer-a-parler-de-nous-sans-nous/

VIDEO

Akosua Adoma Owusu

White Afro Trailer by Akosua Adoma Owusu

https://vimeo.com/348566057

Synopsis
A barber school haircut training video on how to give a white person an "Afro" hair-do.

The final film in Owusu’s hair trilogy, White Afro (2019), employs an archival instructional video produced by the educational department of the Barbers, Beauticians, and Allied Industries Association on how to offer curly perms or body waving services to their white clientele, ostensibly for financial gain. The training video is intermingled with Owusu’s mother’s experience working as a hairstylist at a predominantly white hair salon called Fantastic Sam's in Alexandria, Virginia. Offering a rare perspective on the Afro hairstyle—as an unmistakable marker of Black collective power that becomes a desirable, and appropriated, aesthetic during liberation movements—the film also expands on the abilities of non-Black beauticians and barbers to wield their shops as spaces for political change. -- CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts

White Afro Trailer by Akosua Adoma Owusu from Obibini Pictures LLC on Vimeo.

Women in African Cinema: Beyond the Body Politic by Lizelle Bisschoff, Stefanie Van de Peer

Women in African Cinema: Beyond the Body Politic

by Lizelle Bisschoff, Stefanie Van de Peer

Routledge 2019

Description

Women in African Cinema: Beyond the Body Politic showcases the very prolific but often marginalised presence of women in African cinema, both on the screen and behind the camera.

This book provides the first in-depth and sustained examination of women in African cinema. Films by women from different geographical regions are discussed in case studies that are framed by feminist theoretical and historical themes, and seen through an anti-colonial, philosophical, political and socio-cultural cinematic lens. A historical and theoretical introduction provides the context for thematic chapters exploring topics ranging from female identities, female friendships, women in revolutionary cinema, motherhood and daughterhood, women’s bodies, sexuality, and spirituality. Each chapter serves up a theoretical-historical discussion of the chosen theme, followed by two in-depth case studies that provide contextual and transnational readings of the films as well as outlining production, distribution and exhibition contexts. This book contributes to the feminist anti-racist revision of the canon by placing African women filmmakers squarely at the centre of African film culture.

Demonstrating the depth and diversity of the feminine or female aesthetic in African cinema, this book will be of great interest to students and scholars of African cinema, media studies and African studies.

Contents

1. Women in African Cinema: Histories and Theories

2. The Multiplicity of Female Identities: Embracing Plurality

3. Female Friendships in Film: Affinities, Affiliations and Activism

4. Women in Revolution and Revolutionary Cinema

5. Daughters and Their Mothers: Between Conflict and Acceptance

6. African Women's Bodies: Journeys into Womanhood

7. (Re)defining Female Sexuality through Film

8. Spiritual Pathways to Emancipation

Lizelle Bisschoff is a researcher and curator of African film and founder of the Africa in Motion (AiM) Film Festival, an annual African film festival taking place in Scotland. She is currently Lecturer in Film and Television Studies at the University of Glasgow.

Stefanie Van de Peer is researcher and programmer of African and Arab cinema. Her award-winning collection Animation in the Middle East came out in 2017. She programmes for film festivals worldwide and works for Africa in Motion. She is Research Fellow at the University of Exeter and Lecturer in Film and Media at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.

Black Camera: African Women on the Film Festival Landscape: Organizing, Showcasing, Promoting, Networking by Beti Ellerson with Falila Gbadamassi (Fall 2019)

African Women on the Film Festival Landscape: Organizing, Showcasing, Promoting, Networking

by Beti Ellerson with Falila Gbadamassi

Black Camera: An International Film Journal

Vol. 11, No. 1 (Fall 2019), pp. 424-456

An important function of the film festival is its capacity to showcase on a local, continental, and international level the works of African women, and to serve as a networking space to professionalize their experiences as stakeholders on the global film festival landscape. As these entities proliferate on the continent and internationally, African women are leading the way, often at the helm of these institutions. The objective of many local film festivals is to facilitate an interconnected triadic relationship between the film, filmmaker, and audience—especially with the organization of press conferences and panel discussions. Hence cultivating a critical audience via ciné-clubs and after-screening debates has been a long-standing practice of these local film initiatives. Drawing from this background and historical context, the article and associated timeline outline women's film festival practices in Africa as a vehicle for promoting leadership and showcasing women as role models; the cultural leadership functions that African women have taken on at the helm of film festivals on the continent and the diaspora; the diverse film festivals in Africa and their initiatives toward the empowerment and advancement of women in cinema; the showcasing of African women at African film festivals around the world; and the flagship international film festivals and their interest in including African women in the global cinematic conversation. As there is an abundance of African and women-related film events, because of their obvious relevance they are described in the timeline that follows the discussion, while a few select festivals receive more detailed focus because of their historical importance, longevity, and significance to this study on African women and film festival practices.

Key words: African film festival network, Women’s film festival circuit, film festival studies

Subheadings:

-African women's film festival practices 

-Timeline of African women on the film festival landscape

-Mati Diop at Cannes 2019: Interview and critique of Atlantique by Falila Gbadamassi

-Mati Diop’s "Atlantique" – In the foam of the "Atlantic" critique by Falila Gbadamassi

Published by: Indiana University Press

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2979/blackcamera.11.1.24

BLACK CAMERA: AFRICAN WOMEN IN CINEMA DOSSIER BY BETI ELLERSON:

African Women on the Film Festival Landscape: Organizing, Showcasing, Promoting, Networking with Falila Gbadamassi (Fall 2019) 

Safi Faye's Mossane: A Song to Women, to Beauty, to Africa (Spring 2019)

African Women of the Screen as Cultural Producers: An Overview by Country (Fall 2018)

On-screen Narratives, Off-screen Lives: African Women Inscribing the Self (Spring 2018)

Traveling Gazes: Glocal Imaginaries in the Transcontinental, Transnational, Exilic, Migration, and Diasporic Cinematic Experiences of African Women (Spring 2017)

African Women and the Documentary: Storytelling, Visualizing History, from the Personal to the Political (Fall 2016)

Teaching African Women in Cinema, Part Two (Spring 2016)

Teaching African Women in Cinema, Part One (Fall 2015)

The Call For Entry For 2020 AMAA Awards

The Call For Entry For 2020 AMAA Awards

PRESS RELEASE

The countdown to the 16th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), the Premier Africa Film Awards® has begun. The Africa Film Academy cordially invites filmmakers to submit their feature, short, animation and documentary works for consideration in nearly 30 film categories of the awards. The deadline for submissions is the 1st of April 2020. Late entry deadline is the 30th of April 2020. Submission forms can be downloaded from the AMA Awards Website.

Nominations will be announced on the 30th of August 2020.

The 16th Edition of the AMAAs will be held on the 25th of October 2020 in Lagos Nigeria and will be televised globally. Only films produced and released between January 2019 and 30th of April 2020 (last day of submission)  may be entered for this celebration of African cinema.

The Africa Movie Academy Awards was founded in 2005. Mostly held annually in Nigeria, the AMAAs is without doubt becoming the most prestigious and glamorous African entertainment industry event of its kind. Evolving from a one day event -- televised live -- to an annually chronicled African event, the AMA Awards is now an established engagement platform for filmmakers, industry professionals and all creative industry stakeholders. The primary aim of the AMA Awards is to facilitate the development and showcase the social relevance of African film and cinema. 

The awards are presented to recognize and honor the excellence of professionals in the African film industry. This includes directors, actors and writers. The AMAAs also serves as a platform that continually  unites the African continent through arts and culture.

Over the years, the award presentation has been attended by numerous international media representatives, Hollywood celebrities, Nigerian politicians, other African politicians, journalists, film industry professionals, and actors and actresses from across Africa.

The 2019 African Movie Academy Awards took place on the 27th of October at the Landmark Events Center in Lagos State, Nigeria. The exciting and glamorous event was hosted by Lala Akindoju and Lorenzo Menakaya.

The ceremony presented the best African actor of the year to Marc Zinga - for his lead role in the Rwandan movie, Mercy of the Jungle while Sola Sobowale won the best actress for her lead role in the Nigerian movie  King of Boys.

Other winners include Jahmil X. Qubeka, who won the Best Director award for Sew the Winter to My Skin. Cynthia Dankwa of BURIAL OF KOJO won for Best Young Promising Actor. Best Diaspora Short movie went to Bail. Award For Best Animation went to Choices. Best Diaspora Documentary went to My Friend Fela

Each completed entry form for 2020 entries must be accompanied by all the supporting materials listed on the submission forms, including a synopsis of the film, the list of credits, marketing stills of the film, filmographies of the directors and producers, submissions can be made on https://filmfreeway.com/festival/africamovieacademyawards-882089  

All films must indicate the year of copyright. The Africa Film Academy will not accept any film that exceeds the 120-minute run as a feature or a short film that is longer than 40 minutes. AMAA awards two major categories of short films and animation. The Academy also awards the category for Best Africa Film in the Diaspora and Best Diaspora Short Film Awards. inclusive of Caribbean Shorts and Caribbean features .In 2020 the Africa Film Academy will introduce  a special category for Asian Foreign language category 

To stay up to date with the latest information regarding the 16th African Movie Academy Awards or for more information on submissions, visit the African Movie Academy Awards Website at http://www.ama-awards.com follow us on our social media handles .

Or

Instagram: @amaawards_ | Twitter: @amaawards | Facebook: African Movie Academy Awards

AMAA Secretariat details and contact

E-MAIL: admin@ama-awards.com, 

oyin@ama-awards.com, 

Elohor@ama-awards.com

Address: 9A Raymond Njoku, Southwest - Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.

Phone: +234 906 915 2135.

For further information, please contact our liaison offices / AMAA Regional Coordinators

UNESCO seeks African female filmmakers for a residency in Japan (2020)

UNESCO seeks African female filmmakers for a residency in Japan

Français

UNESCO is offering a 2-week film-making residency (29 March to 12 April 2020) for 10 young African women filmmakers from selected countries in Africa. This film and artist-in-residence workshop will allow for the transnational exchange and sharing of artistic experiences between young African and Japanese filmmakers in a productive creative environment. It will provide artistic guidance and put in place a genuine platform for experimental creation and artistic renewal, and foster collaborations between Africa and Japanese artists, provide international exposure to the work of young women artists, and open new opportunities for artistic creation, production and dissemination.

Within the duration of workshop, the participants will complete their short films from shooting to editing. They will collaborate and interact with other participants, discuss technical and artistic issues, sharing with the group the different stages of the editing.

Participants will also be invited to present their in-residency work during the Nara InternatIonal Film Festival (18-22 September 2020), in order to increase networking opportunities, establish solid international ties, and reach out to new audiences.

Ms Naomi Kawase, internationally acclaimed film director and founder of the Nara International Film Festival, will ensure the overall artistic direction of the residency with the support from her team from the Nara film festival. Ms Fatou Kande Senghor, film director and producer from Senegal, will also be coaching and mentoring the participants.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Applicants are emerging women filmmakers, with some film or audio-visual experience, a good command of English and aged 21-35 from the following countries. Two applicants will be selected in each country by a joint national/UNESCO committee.

- Burkina Faso

- Kenya

- Nigeria

- Senegal

- South Africa

WHEN, WHERE AND WHAT?

The Film and artist-in-residence will take place between 29 March and 12 April 2020. Participants will live and work in the beautiful village of Tawara (Nara, Japan), where Naomi Kawase filmed The Mourning Forest, Grand Prix at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. The Nara team will provide artistic, technical and logistical assistance. Filming equipment will be put at the disposal of participants.

The residency participants will be invited again to screen and present the work completed at the Nara International Film Festival from 18-22 September 2020. They will participate in public discussions, masterclasses and networking sessions with Japanese film industry professionals.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

- Motivation - Why you are interested in participating in this filmmaking residency in Nara, Japan?

- Relevance - How do you think this filmmaking residency could help develop your capacities in filming?

- Sustainability - How can you use this residency to promote further the role of women in the film sector?

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call for application (EN)

Brochure (EN)
Application form (EN)

L’UNESCO cherche des jeunes réalisatrices africaines pour une résidence artistique au Japon (2020)

L’UNESCO cherche des jeunes réalisatrices africaines pour une résidence artistique au Japon

English

L’UNESCO propose une résidence cinématographique de deux semaines (29 mars au 12 avril 2020) à 10 jeunes réalisatrices africaines, issues de différents pays sélectionnés en Afrique. Cette résidence artistique cinématographique permettra l’échange et le partage transnational d’expériences artistiques entre jeunes cinéastes africaines et japonaises dans un environnement créatif productif. Elle permettra aux résidentes d’obtenir des conseils artistiques et mettra en place une véritable plateforme de création expérimentale et de renouvellement artistique. Elle encouragera les collaborations entre artistes africaines et japonaises, permettra aux jeunes femmes artistes d’exposer leur travail à l’international, et ouvrira de nouvelles opportunités pour la création, la production et la diffusion artistiques.

Dans le cadre de cet atelier, les participantes réaliseront des courts métrages, du tournage au montage. Elles collaboreront et interagiront avec les autres participantes, discuteront de questions techniques et artistiques, et partageront avec le groupe les différentes étapes du montage. 

Les participantes seront aussi invitées à présenter le résultat de leur travail lors de la résidence au cours du Festival du film de Nara (18-22 septembre 2020), afin d’accroître les opportunités de mise en réseau, d’établir de solides liens internationaux et d’atteindre de nouveaux publics.

Mme Naomi KAWASE, réalisatrice internationalement reconnue, assurera la direction artistique de la résidence avec le soutien de son équipe du Festival du film de Nara. Mme Fatou Kande SENGHOR, réalisatrice et productrice sénégalaise, encadrera également les participantes.

QUI PEUT POSTULER?

Les candidates doivent être des réalisatrices émergentes, avec une expérience cinématographique et audiovisuelle et une bonne maîtrise de l’anglais. Elles doivent aussi être âgées de 21-35 ans et provenir des pays suivants. Un comité national en partenariat avec l’UNESCO sélectionnera deux candidates par pays.

- Burkina Faso

- Kenya

- Nigéria

- Sénégal

- Afrique du Sud

QUAND, OÙ ET QUOI?

Cette résidence artistique cinématographique aura lieu du 29 mars au 12 avril 2020. Les participantes vivront et travailleront dans le magnifique village de Tawara (Nara, Japon), où Naomi Kawase a tourné La Forêt de Mogari, qui a reçu le Grand Prix du Festival de Cannes en 2007. 

L’équipe de Nara fournira une assistance artistique, technique et logistique. Du matériel de tournage sera mis à la disposition des participantes.

Les participantes seront ensuite invitées à présenter au Festival international du film de Nara le travail qu’elles auront réalisé au cours de la résidence, du 18 au 22 septembre 2020. Elles participeront à des discussions publiques, des « master class » et des sessions de mise en réseau avec des professionnels de l’industrie cinématographique japonaise.

CRITÈRES DE SÉLECTION

Les candidates seront évaluées selon les critères suivants :

- Motivation. Pourquoi souhaitez-vous participer à cette résidence cinématographique à Nara, Japon ?

- Pertinence. En quoi pensez-vous que cette résidence pourrait vous aider à développer vos capacités cinématographiques ?

- Durabilité. Comment pouvez-vous utiliser cette résidence pour promouvoir davantage le rôle des femmes dans le secteur du cinéma ?

POUR PLUS DE RENSEIGNEMENTS, CONSULTEZ:

Appel à candidatures (FR)

Formulaire de candidature (FR)

Brochure (EN)

Suicide by Sunlight (2019) a horror film by Nikyatu Jusu on Vimeo

Suicide by Sunlight a horror film by Nikyatu Jusu on Vimeo

Suicide by Sunlight (2019, the 17-minute film is about Valentina, a day-walking black vampire, forced to restrained her blood-lust in order to regain custody of her estranged daughters. She must repress who she is in order to become a normal member of society.

Inspired by the late science-fiction novelist Octavia Butler, Sierra Leonean American filmmaker Nikyatu Jusu is influenced by Sierra Leonean and West African mythology. Her interest in telling the story of a black vampire came from her desire "to explore what it would be like to turned that disenfranchisement upside down and essentially remix the vampire mythology." (Source: Youtube interview Sundance Institute Shorts Competition - U.S. Narrative Shorts Competition at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6GVo6dl5vQ

SUICIDE BY SUNLIGHT from NIKYATU on Vimeo.