Film / News
Afrika Eye unveils new look programme for 2024
Bristol’s annual Afrika Eye festival of cinema and culture rooted in Africa and its diaspora returns in a different format this autumn. Instead of packing the entire programme into a single week, as is traditional, the organisers have decided to stagger events throughout October and November.
This year’s festival opens with a weekend of women in action films under the stars in the garden of the Trinity Centre on October 12 and 13. Saturday’s screening is Gina Prince-Bythewood’s excellent, multiple award-winning The Woman King. On Sunday, there’s a double bill of blaxploitation flicks starring Pam Grier: Foxy Brown and Coffy. Blankets and hot drinks will be available for all these screenings.
Next up is a half-term programme for children and young people at the Pickle Factory on Monday 14 October, beginning with a screening for under 11s of the 2012 animation Zafara, inspired by the true story of the giraffe given to Charles X of France by Muhammad Ali of Egypt. As an added attraction, hot chocolate, popcorn and toasted marshmallows will be served.
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Also at the Pickle Factory, on October 27 there’s a Halloween-themed bill of films for the over 13s, including stop-motion animator Henry Selick’s follow-up to his brilliant Coraline, Wendell & Wild. Halloween-inspired treats and drinks will be on offer here.
At the Watershed on October 26, Afrika Eye presents Mati Diop’s award-winning new drama-documentary Dahomey, which follows the return of stolen African artworks to their country of origin. This screening will be followed by a discussion about where historic treasures belong.
Watershed will also be the venue on Saturday 16 November for an Afrika Eye double bill featuring two of the latest films to come out of Africa and a repeat of the festival’s renowned live music sessions in the café/bar.
Afrika Eye director Annie Menter. Pic: Afrika Eye
“Next year is Afrika Eye’s 20th anniversary so this year we’ve decided to explore new venues and new ways of connecting with audiences while also giving our tiny team the chance to think about what shape the festival might take in future,” says Afrika Eye director Annie Menter. “This programme aims to bring in new audiences with a season rich in stories, drama, variety and cultural themes. Staggered dates also spread the costs for audiences at a time of economic pinch, yet maintains Afrika Eye’s commitment to celebrating and sharing the vibrancy and importance of African culture with a programme appealing to all ages and interests.”
For more information and to sign up for festival updates, visit www.afrikaeye.org.uk/
Main image from The Woman King: Entertainment One UK Ltd
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