THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
From 19 to 29 September 2024, the Africa Film Festival Cologne (AFFK) will celebrate its 21st edition.
This year’s festival promises an exceptional programme with 70 feature films, documentaries and short films that offer a compelling insight into the diverse realities of Africa.
From compelling narratives to thought-provoking documentaries, each film reflects the depth and diversity of African and Afro-diasporic experiences and invites audiences to engage with issues of identity, history, social justice and human resilience.
The main programme is rounded off by a lively accompanying programme of live music, panel talks, workshops and networking events.
Legacy: Confronting our past and envisioning a future
This year’s edition carries the weight of the word legacy, a significant theme explored from various perspectives in the selected films.
As filmmakers and curators themselves, the festival’s organisers are deeply connected to the stories of legacy and resilience. Whether to celebrate legacy or critique it, to embrace it or resist it, we will see how invited filmmakers grapple with remnants of history as it lingers in the present.
The organisers take the opportunity of the 2024 edition of the festival to amplify voices that speak to the power of memory and the need for healing within African communities.
As our world struggles with ongoing conflicts across continents, the filmmakers reflect on the legacy of colonialism, liberation struggles, love, migration, family bonds, war trauma, repression and dictatorships.
These narratives challenge us to confront our past and envision a future rooted in the legacies we inherit and create.
Revisiting classic films
Honouring the influential films of legendary African directors who paved the way for contemporary cinema, this section offers audiences the opportunity to revisit classic films and explore the legacy of these artists.
This year, the films Contras’ City (1969) and Badou Boy (1970) by Djibril Diop Mambéty, Xala (1974) by Ousmane Sembène, Un Dessert Pour Constance (1981) by Sarah Maldoror and Xime (1981) by Sana Na N’Hada can be seen at the AFFK.
Special Event with the Schwarzen Filmschaffenden e.V. (Berlin)
At the end of the festival (29 September), there will be a screening and a panel discussion focusing on the topic: Afrofuturism And Black Hair: Exploring Identity and Innovation in African Film.
The complete programme of the festival will be available from 15.08.2024 at
www.afrikafilmfestivalkoeln.de
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