L-R: Dennis Lim, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Angelique Kidjo, and Mahen Bonneti
After opening at Film Society of Lincoln Center on May 4, 2016 with Tanna, the astounding feature debut of Bentley Dean and Martin Butler and the first feature shot entirely in South Pacific nation Vanuatu, the 23rd New York African Film Festival is heading to Maysles Cinema in Harlem from May 13 to May 15, 2016.
Marking the 50th anniversary of Ousmane Sembène’s celebrated first feature, Black Girl, the 2016 festival is presented under the banner “Modern Days, Ancient Nights: 50 Years of African Filmmaking.”
“Although Sembène is no longer with us, his legacy looms large,” said AFF Executive Director and NYAFF Founder Mahen Bonetti. “He would be proud that a whole industry has been created following the model of Nollywood, with regional cinemas populating the continent. As was his desire, African films are now not just for export to other continents but increasingly those Africans whose stories are being told are getting to see them as well.”
The 23rd New York African Film Festival will present 25 feature-length films and 27 short films from 26 countries, bringing another thrilling and multifaceted selection of African films from the continent and the Diaspora to New York audiences.
The festival will conclude over Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-30) at the Brooklyn Academy of Music as part of its popular dance and music festival Dance Africa.
More information about AFF can be found on the Web at www.africanfilmny.org.
