Letter from the Artistic Director

 

A film scholar by training, curator and distributor by profession, I was never in the camp with those of my colleagues proclaiming that the best times for cinema are in the past. This unique opportunity to be involved in the creation of a new film platform for African cinema, Colours of the Nile International Film Festival is proving that Africa's wealth of film talents, burst of creativity and stories to tell is a powerful current worth international recognition. 

In the past African cinema gave us gems that belong not only to the African film treasury, but the film treasury of the world.

Today, a conversation about the film culture is impossible without mentioning the symbolism of YEELEN by Souleiman Cisse, the poetic realism of SAMBIZANGA by Sarah Moldorar, the expressionism of Moolaade by Ousamne Sembene. Make no mistake that one of the first restorative projects by Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Foundation was TOUKI BOUKI by the great Mambety.

The tendencies and aesthetics of the contemporary African film stream is very different from the one in the 60's and even 80's.

Embracing digital technologies, urban culture, existing in the global context, thinking with universal references and often residing in multiple geographical locations  - the African cinema of today is on its way to establish a new self identity. 

Work of filmmakers such as Ivorian Lonesome SoloAmerican / Ghanian Akosua Adoma Owusu, French Senegalese Alain Gomis, Nigerian / American Andrew Dosunmu, Moroccan Leila Kilani, Burkinale Michel K Zongo and Eleonore Yameogo, Malian Adama Salle, Rwandan Kivu Ruhorahoza, Senegalese Aziz Cisse among many others that are featured this year's CNIFF line-up are daring, sophisticated, truly artistic, deeply honest and internationally accessible. 

Its a true privilege to be a part of the CNIFF team and to be able to bring exciting African and international film work to the cinema lovers of the great African capital of Addis Ababa.