Priscilla Anany address the Film Africa gala (Ivan Gonzalez)
Palesa Nomanzi Shingle’s uNomalanga and the Witch won the 6th Baobab Award, which was presented at the Film Africa 2016 in London this month. The Royal African Society’s annual 10-day film festival took place at a variety of vines across London.
Announcing the winner of the £1,500 prize, jury member Priscilla Igwe, director of The New Black Film Collective, said: “uNomalanga and the Witch craftily entwines sexism, sensuality and sisterhood into the fabric of this highly adept short film from South Africa. The director sprinkles her black girl magic onto this afrocentric piece where deep seated passion and conservative principles collide.”
The Film Africa Audience Award for Best Feature Film returned for its second year, with a £1,500 cash prize. Audiences selected Children of the Mountain, a story of female employment in rural Ghana. The film's director Priscilla Anany said: “I wanted to tell a story that spoke for and to mothers with special needs children. The film raises awareness that those with disabilities are normal people and as such, should be loved, treated with respect and valued equally. I'm very grateful to Film Africa for the opportunity to screen my film. I know there's a great future for African cinema and I want to continue to be part of it.”
For its 6thedition, Film Africa screened over 50 titles from 22 African countries, including 33 premieres and several debut features, highlighting what is a period of growth and recognition that African cinema.
The festival drew to a close on Sunday 6 November with the UK premiere of Daouda Coulibaly’s debut feature, Wùlu.
The Royal African Society is a membership organisation that fosters a better understanding of Africa in the UK and throughout the world. Its goal is to promote Africa globally in the spheres of business, politics, academia, arts and culture.
Film Africa 2016took place at the following venues: Hackney Picturehouse, Ritzy Brixton, BFI Southbank, Picturehouse Central, Ciné Lumière, The British Library, Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), The South London Gallery, Rich Mix, Bernie Grants Art Centre and Phoenix Cinema.
www.filmafrica.org.uk