Xalé Opens The 30th New York African Film Festival
By Oyiza Adaba, Africa-Related New York
Photo by Africa-Related
““Culture Is Like A Strong Army””
The New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) is one of the longest running film festivals in the United States. For Opening Night and to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the NYAFF in partnership with The Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) premiered Xalé, the third film in Senegalese Director Moussa Sène Absa’s trilogy.
For movie lovers, it is a real treat, as the week-long festival ending on June 1st is hosting an incredible lineup of events showcasing African films at various landmarks locations in the city including FLC, Maysles Documentary Center, and Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The festival’s roster is graced with directors and producers representing 50 films from 25 countries. All week long, fans can count on enjoying close proximity to the talented African film industry names like Guy Kazadi, Ery Claver, Tunde Kelani, Nolitha Mkulisi, Yeelen Cohen, Ifeyinwa Arinze, Florence Ayisi, Fatou Cisse, Alex Rappoport, and a host of others
Prof. Mamadou Diouf of Columbia University moderated the Q & A with director Moussa Sène Absa. Photo by Africa-Related
Following the screening of Xalé, a drama focused on women, Prof. Mamadou Diouf of Columbia University moderated a Q & A that got director Moussa Sène Absa discussing the qualities that make him an outstanding filmmaker. He spoke in detail about his production process, inspirations, music scoring, managing budgets, community engagement, storytelling techniques, his overall love for Africa, and how it all plays into the final output.
Video: Highlights of the 30th New York African Film Festival at Film at Lincoln Center. Video by Africa-Related
Mahen Bonetti, Executive Director NY African Film Festival. Photo by Oluwaseye Olusa
The New York African Film Festival was founded “to reflect on the myriad ways African and diaspora filmmakers have used the moving image to tell complex nuanced stories of cultural and aesthetic significance”.
In a chat with Africa-Related, Executive Director Mahen Bonetti attributed the festival’s growth over the years to collaborations and comradeship between creatives, which shows Africa’s deep-rooted stories are yet to be fully explored.
Opening Night: Photo Gallery
Films showing include Hyperlink, Employee of the Month, Cordelia, Ota Benga, A Daughter’s Tribute To Her Father, Den Muso, Know Your Place, Our Lady Of The Chinese Shop, and others. Ticket are available here