All-African Independent Film Festival to be opened on September 13
The All-African Independent Film Festival (AAIFF Africa) has been established to showcase the very best independent filmmakers from across Africa and to promote their cinematic talents on a global stage.
The Inaugural All African Independent Film Festival will take place on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of September 2024 at the French Institute in Kigali, Rwanda.
AAIFF Africa’s 2024 Official Selection includes 20 films from 13 countries and compete in seven categories which include feature films, short films, animated creations and student works, among others, crafted by innovative and highly creative independent filmmakers from across the entire African continent and the diaspora. We will also be showcasing two Rwandan student films as part of AAIFF Africa 2024 Student’s Corner which will be competing for the Rwandan Students Special Award 2024.
President and Founder of AAIFF Africa, Scott Hillier — a multi award-winning Director / Cinematographer and Screenwriter —
The three-day festival will end with AAIFF 2024’s Awards Ceremony, where twelve awards will be presented to honor Africa’s best independent filmmaking talent. Among the awards are Africa’s Best Independent Film Director, 2024 and the prestigious Africa’s Best Independent Film, 2024.
Throughout the festival, AAIFF Africa 2024 will host Professional Workshops as well as Q&A Sessions with the directors in competition, which will provide the audience with a unique opportunity to engage directly with the filmmakers. Additionally, the festival will feature nightly After-Parties.
On the 21st of August a Launch Party was celebrated to announce the Official Selection and officially start the countdown to the festival. Here are some of the highlights of the films included in the Official Selection:
MAMI WATA (Nigeria) Dramatic Feature Film dir. C. J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi – The harmony of a village is threatened by external elements, and two sisters must fight to save their own and restore the glory of the goddess-siren Mami Wata.
GIRLS: WOMEN TOO EARLY (Italy) Documentary Film dir. Paolo Patruno – Christine, 17-years-old, got married when she was 15, lost her first child when she was 16, and she is now seven months pregnant. Rose, 16-years-old, is currently breastfeeding first child of five months.Christine dropped out of school in secondary and Rose dropped out at the end of primary, both due to a lack of financial availability from their families.
Christine and Rose live in a very remote and rural area in the tropical highland forest in Cameroon, making their living through farming cocoa. They represent thousands of teenage mothers in Cameroon. Africa has the world’s highest rate of adolescent pregnancy, a factor that affects the health, education, and earning potential of millions of African girls.
Once Upon a Murder (Rwanda) Dramatic Short dir. Tumushimishe Yves – In a futuristic Rwanda, Frank uncovers a shocking truth: time travel is being used for murder while keeping history intact. This dark secret drags him into a maze of tough choices and spine-chilling consequences.
Angie’s Love (Nigeria) Dramatic Short dir. Bayo Lambo – A new mother catches up with friends while her baby and husband sleep.
THIEF (Kenya) Dramatic Short dir. Andrew Odera & Kiwo Maole – In a desperate bid to save his critically ill son, reformed ex-thief Oliver teams up with wealthy benefactor Edward for a daring heist targeted at Donna’s fortune.
GEORGE (United Kingdom) Documentary Film dir. Charles Browne-Cole & Tom Young – ‘George’ is an intimate portrait of George Wyndham, Sierra Leone’s most famous Paralympian. This is the story about one man’s struggle to avoid homelessness that has wider implications for billions of others living in marginal communities worldwide. Will George succeed in finding a new home? Or will he, like millions of others, be left behind?