Films, stories and music from more than a dozen countries and the premiere of its own first self-made film will be on offer when Afrika Eye – the South West’s biggest festival of African cinema and culture – returns to venues across Bristol and beyond from November 8th -16th. 

The full line-up for the festival’s 16^th edition is now available on their website; with highlights including the first public screening of ROOTED IN BRISTOL – a short film, made by Afrika Eye, about the Bristol allotment growers of African heritage who are using their plots to keep alive the African and Afro-Caribbean food traditions of their families.

The documentary will get its premiere at Watershed on Sunday 14th November as part of a weekend of screenings of new and classic films, Q&As, shorts by black Bristol filmmakers and an opening night party featuring Robert Plant and Jah Wobble guitarist Justin Adams and gimbri maestro Mohammed Errabbaa playing the gnawa sound of Morocco. 

Other venues being used this year include The Cube, Easton Community Centre, The Old Picture House in Totterdown, the Curzon at Clevedon and, as a curtain-raiser for Afrika Eye week, a teepee in Easton’s Felix Road Playground on Saturday 6 November where families and children will be able to enjoy film & story-telling sessions with Kabbo Hue Ferdinand. 

Festival director Annie Menter says: “We are so excited to be back with our first live festival since 2019, sharing screen stories of lives lived, lives imagined and all the bits in between; using a wider range of venues; working with new partners, among them Sheba Soul, Rising Arts, Kiki Bristol, Queer Vision and premiering our very own film with its wonderful cast of local characters.”

For more details or to book tickets, explore Afrika Eye’s website here

Highlights of the festival include:

DIFFICULT LOVE (Dir. Peter Goldsmid & Zanele Muholi, 2010, South Africa, 47 mins, 18)
+ BEYOND: THERE’S ALWAYS A BLACK ISSUE, DEAR (Dir. Claire Lawrie, 2018, UK, 30 mins, 15)

Kiki Bristol and Queer Vision curate a double bill of documentaries dealing with black and queer experience, The first dips into the life of the celebrated South African photographer and lesbian rights activist Zanele Muholi with inputs from her friends and colleagues The second shares colourful stories and joyous characters highlighting the contribution queer black Londoners made to the capitals LGBTQ+ scenes in the 1970s/80s. With a Q&A to follow. 

Thursday 11th November at 7.30pm  / Cube Microplex, Dove Street South, Bristol, BS2 8NQ / Tickets: Double bill, £14 (student, £7)

MANE (Dir. Sandra Krampelhuber, 2020, 55mins) + A SELECTION OF SHORTS

Krampelhuber’s follow-up to her acclaimed 100% DAKAR tracks the battles of two young Senegalese women – one a rapper, the other a wrestler – as they strive to win success in a male-dominated society. Plus a selection of shorts directed by two black Bristol film-makers who received early career mentoring from Afrika Eye:  UWE graduate Pierre Amiral and recent Royal Television Society award-winner Michael Jenkins. With a Q&A led by Michael Jenkins to close. 

Monday 15th November at 7.30 / The Old Picture House, Winton Street, Totterdown, BS4 2BT / Tickets: £8 (£6 concession)

THE BRONZE MEN OF CAMEROON (Dir. Florence Ayisi, 2020, Cameroon/UK, 55 mins)

Speakers: Director Florence Ayisi in conversation with Akulah Agbami (Sheba Soul Ensemble)

A documentary exploring the lives and skills of the artisans who continue the long tradition of bronze casting in western Cameroon even as the impact of globalisation forces questions over whether indigenous creativity like theirs can survive. To be followed by a discussion between the film’s director and Akulah Agbamai + Q&A. 

Sunday 14th November 1.30pm / Watershed

ROOTED IN BRISTOL: Premiere (Dir. Manu Maunganidze & Annie Menter, 2021, UK, 30mins, U)

A short film, made by Afrika Eye, about the Bristol allotment growers of African heritage who are using their plots to keep alive the African and Afro-Caribbean food traditions of their families

This documentary rich in characters and personal stories celebrating the contribution people of African heritage have made to creating and sustaining kitchen gardens in allotments across Bristol over many decades. Followed by a discussion about food culture and access to green spaces led by Annie Menter and some of those involved in the film.

Sunday 14th November 4pm / Watershed

For more details or to book tickets, explore Afrika Eye’s website here

Keep up with Afrika Eye news by signing-up for the festival’s free e-bulletins, finding Afrika Eye Film Festival on Facebook or following on Twitter & Instagram.

The principal current funders of Afrika Eye are Film Hub South West, The Morel Trust and Bristol UNESCO City of Film.