“A film festival is also the chance to dispel the myth which so many believe that Africa is one country when it’s actually a continent comprising 54 countries, with 43 represented by migrants in western Sydney,” she said.
With the annual Africultures Festival returning on Saturday, September 28, Fatma says the film fest will be a great entree to the festival which has outgrown its previous venues at Wyatt Park and Auburn Centre for Community and this year will take place at Sydney Olympic Park.
“I can’t wait to enjoy the African Film Fest in the lead-up to our festival as it’s been co-directed by Africultures volunteer Safia Amadou,” she said.
Safia said curating the film line-up had been a true labour of love.
“African filmmakers have so much to offer and we made sure to showcase their rich storytelling in the diverse selection of films,” she said.
Supported by Screen NSW, City of Parramatta, Multicultural NSW and WeirAnderson Films, the festival kicks off with ‘Rise: Siya Kolisi Story’, chronicling the journey of the first Black captain of the South African national rugby union team – from a challenging upbringing to international stardom.
Other films include ‘The Last Queen’ about Queen Zaphira of Algeria, who stands up to the pirate Aruj Barbarossa; ‘Colette and Justin’ which dives into the author’s grandparents’ lives in the Congo; ‘All the Colours Are Between Black and White’, a tender love story set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s anti-gay laws; ‘Banel and Adama’, a tale of young love and conflict in a remote Senegalese village; and much much more.
For tickets ($14-$24) to the film fest on July 19-21: riversideparramatta.com.au
