READ ALL ABOUT THE 2020 AFRO PRAIRIE FILM FESTIVAL RECAP BLoG

by Shondell Orinthia Babb

A Fast Track to Industry Insider by Shondell Orithia Babb

ABOUT

The Afro Prairie Film Festival hosted on Treaty 1 Territory supports Black filmmakers in Canada. In celebration of Black History Month, Black Space Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Film Group are proud to present this festival that celebrates Black cinema across North America while promoting the work of established and emerging Black filmmakers in Canada. The Afro Prairie Film Festival is provides programming and education that explores Black narratives on screen and behind the scenes.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Afro Prairie Film Festival is dedicated to the support and exposure of Black filmmakers and filmmaking in the prairies and across Canada. Through programming and education we are committed to Black representation on screen and behind the scenes.

VISION

The film industry has historically been exclusive towards communities of colour. Black representation on film, in theatre and in the general arts community in Winnipeg has been overlooked and undervalued in the mainstream arts culture. Given the importance of representation on film and behind the scenes, the Afro Prairie Film Festival provides a platform for Black voices, opportunities for professional development, networking, education and growth for emerging Black filmmakers to foster new ideas to be explored on film and increase awareness of Black perspectives in filmmaking. Promoting Black narratives on screen is essential in order to genuinely diversify the Winnipeg arts community. The Afro Prairie Film Festival encourages artistic development and hopes to see more support for Black filmmakers across the prairies.

Ben Williams. Charles Burnett and Alexa Joy (Photo by Travis Ross | 2018)

How it started?

Black Space Winnipeg joined forces with the Winnipeg Film Group in February 2017, where the Winnipeg debut of I Am Not Your Negro was first screened in Manitoba. Since then, this community partnership has explored Black narratives in cinema through screenings of classic and contemporary Black films. Each film screening was followed with a panel discussion where Black Space Winnipeg members and community participants reflected on the themes and issues raised in each film. This has opened doors for community dialogue, building relationships and highlighting important conversations growing in Winnipeg's public discourse. From this community partnership came the initiative to dedicate a festival for Black filmmaking.

MEET THE TEAM

Alexa Joy | Festival Director

Ben Williams | Outreach Director

David Knipe | Artistic Director

WINSTON W. MOXAM BEST BLACK CANADIAN SHORTS AWARD JURY

Elizabeth Mudenyo

Nedu Ejeckam

Nampande Londe

Sheldon Williamson

WINSTON W. MOXAM BEST BLACK CANADIAN SHORTS AWARD WINNERS

Hagere Selam (shimby) Zegeye-Gebrehiwot| | yaya/ayat (2018)

"yaya/ayat’ directed by Shimby Zegeye-Gebrehiwot| explores identities, being lost in translation and distance through the eyes of a young woman."

Synopsis: yaya/ayat explores identities, being lost in translation and distance. But at its core it’s about the filmmaker longing for a relationship with her geographically distant grandma and her journey to Greece to find her. This is an experimental documentary about how being a part of any diaspora shapes a person’s identity.

Mylène Augustin & Feven Ghebremariam | Camfranglais (2019)

Directed by Mylène Augustin & Feven Ghebremariam - Camfranglais is a story set in the Summer 2117 will be revealing for Sam, an 18-year-old Cameroonian girl. Freshly elected to the tribal council that governs her country, she joins the national delegation that is invited to Tiohtià: ke (Montreal). This trip is a pilgrimage for the young girl, as she traces the steps of her great-grandmother who lived in this northern land over a hundred years ago. She will also come to realize the connection that ties her people to this foreign land, a bond woven through a struggle that will lead Cameroonian people and First nations of Canada to linguistic sovereignty. (Photo Cred: Jack Lafortune)

Alison Duke | Promise Me (2020)

Directed by Alison Duke, Promise Me follows the story of Charlie, a young girl who still has hope and is adamant in caring for her mother, Yolonda Thomas, as her health takes a turn for the worse. Loyal, she insists on sticking by her mother’s side until the very end. But when her school begins to notice Charlie’s absence, she is placed under a system of surveillance and Charlie will soon come to find that some decisions are outside of her control.