The 1st annual African Film Festival Australia will screen in Melbourne at the Red Bennies Theatre from the 11th till 15th of April. The inaugural program is diverse and eclectic highlighting the intense complexity of African culture and experience with subjects ranging from a Beethoven style symphony in the Congo to the power of the hip hop movement in Senegalese politics.
The Opening Night Party features the Australian premiere of Restless City. A visually stunning tribute to New York City, the film had its global premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. First time Nigerian director Andrew Dosunmu creates a kaleidoscope of colour and print as he explores the city of dreams through the eyes of the African Diaspora.
Also screening is the musically conscious political documentary Democracy in Dakar. This energetic documentary is about hip-hop youth and politics in Dakar Senegal. It follows rappers, DJs, journalists, professors and people on the street at the time before during and after the controversial 2007 presidential election in Senegal and examines hip-hop’s role on the political
process.
Can photography heal, rebuild and reconstruct a national identity post conflict? Liberia 77 follows two Canadian brothers as they return to Liberia to recapture a nation lost inside their childhood memories to find the people and places of their father’s photographs.
We are also proud to present the African Shorts Session. A mixture of upcoming and established film makers exploring a variety of issues and themes. This session features shorts from the USA, Australia, Uganda and Sierra Leone.
Closing the Festival is the Australian premiere of Kinshasa Symphony, the uplifting story of Democratic Republic of the Congo’s only symphony orchestra. The film follows the determined, captivating and inspiring members of the Orchestra as they overcome daily struggles and
celebrate life through the power of music For full details visit our website at www.africanfilmfestival.com.au
