Gordon Main’s apartheid-era documentary “London Recruits” has been tapped as the opening film at the sixth Joburg Film Festival, which takes place Feb. 27 – March 3 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The film sheds light on a pivotal moment in South Africa‘s history, when the struggle against the apartheid government in South Africa developed a new secret weapon. Oliver Tambo hatched a plan to infiltrate young British activists into the country, posing as tourists. Their mission, in the face of brutal lockdown by the racist regime, was to help inspire ordinary South Africans to join a liberation movement that would never give up till freedom was won.
The film is produced by Jacintha de Nobrega (“Deep End”), Robyn Slovo, Geoff Arbourne, Colin Charles (“The Surveyor”), James Barrett (“A Change in the Weather”) and Felix Gill (“78/52″). As Variety previously reported, XYZ Films is repping the doc’s North American sales.
Earlier this week,...
The film sheds light on a pivotal moment in South Africa‘s history, when the struggle against the apartheid government in South Africa developed a new secret weapon. Oliver Tambo hatched a plan to infiltrate young British activists into the country, posing as tourists. Their mission, in the face of brutal lockdown by the racist regime, was to help inspire ordinary South Africans to join a liberation movement that would never give up till freedom was won.
The film is produced by Jacintha de Nobrega (“Deep End”), Robyn Slovo, Geoff Arbourne, Colin Charles (“The Surveyor”), James Barrett (“A Change in the Weather”) and Felix Gill (“78/52″). As Variety previously reported, XYZ Films is repping the doc’s North American sales.
Earlier this week,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Disconnect: The Wedding Planner is a Nigerian comedy film directed by David ‘Tosh’ Gitonga starring Catherine Kamau, Pascal Tokodi, Brenda Wairimu and Brian Ogola among others.
A “modern” comedy that attempts to be a classic (or the other way around) with a kind of humor that can be convincing (or not), and is unfortunately for its producers, does not seem to become a blockbuster…
Disconnect: The Wedding Planner is a light comedy, very light that -sometimes- works as a sitcom that although it does not have the rhythm of a comedy, is also a little more serious, a little less serious and has a tone that finally does not connect with anything.
This is a comedy that does not finally define itself totally as a comedy, the rhythm or the formula of its characters are neither a comedy either… it has a backdrop of a social statement, too left to...
A “modern” comedy that attempts to be a classic (or the other way around) with a kind of humor that can be convincing (or not), and is unfortunately for its producers, does not seem to become a blockbuster…
Disconnect: The Wedding Planner is a light comedy, very light that -sometimes- works as a sitcom that although it does not have the rhythm of a comedy, is also a little more serious, a little less serious and has a tone that finally does not connect with anything.
This is a comedy that does not finally define itself totally as a comedy, the rhythm or the formula of its characters are neither a comedy either… it has a backdrop of a social statement, too left to...
- 1/13/2023
- by Movies Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
Producers Marie Lora-Mungai and Tendeka Matatu are merging their assets to create Restless Global, a development, finance, production, distribution and exhibition studio for African content both within and outside Africa.
Restless Global will unite Matatu’s and Lora-Mungai’s existing companies Restless Talent Management, Ten10 Films, Buni Media and Buni.tv under one umbrella.
Restless Talent Management represents actors, screenwriters and directors such as Oc Ukeje from Nigeria, Nse Ikpe-Etim from Nigeria, Nana Mensah (Us-Ghana) and Tosh Gitonga from Kenya.
Restless Global’s film and television production arm, Restless Productions, is developing a slate of eight film projects and 13 scripted and non-scripted TV shows. The projects will be focused on the Nigerian market while also being offered to a global audience.
Restless Global will handle distribution of its own titles as well as a select number of acquisitions through its distribution arm Restless Distribution.
“Africa is the next big media frontier,” said Lora-Mungai...
Restless Global will unite Matatu’s and Lora-Mungai’s existing companies Restless Talent Management, Ten10 Films, Buni Media and Buni.tv under one umbrella.
Restless Talent Management represents actors, screenwriters and directors such as Oc Ukeje from Nigeria, Nse Ikpe-Etim from Nigeria, Nana Mensah (Us-Ghana) and Tosh Gitonga from Kenya.
Restless Global’s film and television production arm, Restless Productions, is developing a slate of eight film projects and 13 scripted and non-scripted TV shows. The projects will be focused on the Nigerian market while also being offered to a global audience.
Restless Global will handle distribution of its own titles as well as a select number of acquisitions through its distribution arm Restless Distribution.
“Africa is the next big media frontier,” said Lora-Mungai...
- 2/2/2015
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
I'm a sucker for solid political thrillers, and this one definitely has my attention, if only because it's set in an African country (Kenya), with a black African cast and crew, and is a 4th collaboration between German filmmaker Tom Tykwer's One Fine Day Films, and Nairobi (Kenya)-based Ginger Ink - a project we first alerted you to a year ago, when it was beginning principal photography. S&A has covered every film that's been developed under the One Fine Day Films/Ginger Ink collab: "Soul Boy," from director Hawa Essuman, "Nairobi Half Life," from director David Tosh Gitonga, and most recently, "Something Necessary,"...
- 8/18/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
The Colours of the Nile International Film Festival (Coniff) ran this past month, from March 24-31, with 48 films from around the African continent. The festival screened several projects that S&A has covered, including Chika Anadu's B for Boy, Kenneth Gyang's Confusion Na Wa, Soussaba Cisse's Rumours of War, David Tosh Gitonga's Nairobi Half Life, and Judy Kibinge's Something Necessary. From Mali, Rumours of War (Ngunu Ngunu Kan), directed by Soussaba Cisse won the Best Feature Film Award, Best Cinematography and Original Soundtrack at the 2nd annual film festival. The jury praised Rumours for "capturing in a...
- 4/7/2014
- by Vanessa Martinez
- ShadowAndAct
The Colours of the Nile International Film Festival (Coniff) returns March 24-31 with 48 films from around the African continent. The festival will screen quite a few projects we've covered on this site, including Chika Anadu's B for Boy, Kenneth Gyang's Confusion Na Wa, Soussaba Cisse's Rumours of War, David Tosh Gitonga's Nairobi Half Life, and Judy Kibinge's Something Necessary. More from the press release below: "The festival provides an opportunity to showcase some of the latest films by African filmmakers in its competition sections and to introduce audiences also to older films that they may not have had the opportunity to see, out of competition, including...
- 3/24/2014
- by Jai Tiggett
- ShadowAndAct
Bristol’s Watershed is teaming up with Afrika Eye to present two new Kenyan films in UK cinemas through March 2014.
Watershed hosted the popular Afrika Eye Festival last weekend. Two of those titles, Tosh Gitonga’s Nairobi Half Life and Judy Kibinge’s Something Necessary, will now travel to other UK cinemas including the Showroom in Sheffield and Cornerhouse in Manchester, and festivals including Africa In Motion, the Cambridge African Film Festival and Film Africa.
Both projects came out of workshops run by Marie Steinmann & Tom Tykwer’s One Fine Day Films, in partnership with Nairobi based Ginger Ink.
“Currently only 0.01% of films shown in cinemas in the UK are from Africa. This touring initiative is about developing the availability and range of African films for increasingly diverse UK audiences. It builds on the excellent collaborative work of the UK African film festivals and the partnership with The Africa Channel,” said Mark Cosgrove...
Watershed hosted the popular Afrika Eye Festival last weekend. Two of those titles, Tosh Gitonga’s Nairobi Half Life and Judy Kibinge’s Something Necessary, will now travel to other UK cinemas including the Showroom in Sheffield and Cornerhouse in Manchester, and festivals including Africa In Motion, the Cambridge African Film Festival and Film Africa.
Both projects came out of workshops run by Marie Steinmann & Tom Tykwer’s One Fine Day Films, in partnership with Nairobi based Ginger Ink.
“Currently only 0.01% of films shown in cinemas in the UK are from Africa. This touring initiative is about developing the availability and range of African films for increasingly diverse UK audiences. It builds on the excellent collaborative work of the UK African film festivals and the partnership with The Africa Channel,” said Mark Cosgrove...
- 11/17/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
The 2nd annual BlackStar Film Festival, which opens today, running from August 1- 4 in Philadelphia, will screen quite an impressive lineup that includes several titles you should be familiar with, since we've covered them here - to name a few: Andrew Dosonmu's Mother of George, David Tosh Gitonga’s Kenyan drama Nairobi Half Life, Alain Gomis' French/Senegalese drama Aujord'hui/Tey and Charles Murray's Things Never Said. Bsff will also premiere the documentary Black February, which profiles legendary Jazz composer Lawrence D. "Butch" Morris and Roxana Walker-Canton's documentary Living Thinkers: An Autobiography of Black Women in the Ivory Tower. Bsff - which will screen 75...
- 8/1/2013
- by Vanessa Martinez
- ShadowAndAct
'Nairobi Half Life' Producers Begin Production On Next Project - Kenya-Set Political Thriller 'Veve'
A 4th collaboration between German filmmaker Tom Tykwer's One Fine Day Films, and Nairobi (Kenya)-based Ginger Ink, has begun production in Nairobi. S&A has covered every film that's been developed under the One Fine Day Films/Ginger Ink banners - Soul Boy, from director Hawa Essuman, Nairobi Half Life, from director David Tosh Gitonga, and most recently, Something Necessary, from another Kenyan filmmaker in Judy Kibinge. After launching a casting call for actors early last month, the production companies are currently shooting their next feature, which is titled Veve, and is written by Natasha Likimani, and is being...
- 5/20/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
I still haven't seen the award-winning Kenyan crime drama, Nairobi Half Life, from director David Tosh Gitonga, which was Kenya's selection for the Best Foreign Language Oscar category last year, making it just the second film from Kenya to be entered into the race; the first was 2008's Heart of Fire, a Kenyan/German co-production about civil war in Eritrea. However, despite the entry, the film didn't make the short list of final nominations by the Academy for the 2009 Awards, and neither did Gitonga's much-buzzed about new film. It hasn't screened in NYC yet, where I live, which is why I haven't seen it. But it looks like that might change, when the film will...
- 3/18/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
The 2013/9th annual New African Films Festival will take place from March 7–12, hosted by AFI Silver Theater & Cultural Center, in Silver Spring, MD, co-presented by AFI, TransAfrica and afrikafé. This year's lineup includes several acclaimed S&A highlights that you'll be familiar with, like Alain Gomis' Tey, Tosh Gitonga's Nairobi Half Life, Andy Okoroafor's Relentless, Sara Blecher's, Kim Nguyen's War Witch, Saïd Ould-Khelifa's Zabana! and others. I'll return to highlight those few films in this year's lineup that haven't been profiled on S&A. In the meantime, head over to the festival's web page Here for the full listing, as well as exact days, screening times, and...
- 3/4/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
I didn't really know what to expect when I sat down in the theater to watch Nairobi Half Life at this year's Pan African Film Festival. I heard about the film in passing, but not much beyond that. The storyline is familiar, a young man from a small town ventures to the big city in hopes of pursuing his dreams. Only in this film, the young man is Kenyan, comes from a small village, and ventures to Nairobi in hopes of becoming an actor. As soon as he arrives, he is blitzed by the commotion and danger of urban life. But its Director David Tosh Gitonga's distinct spin on this premise that makes it comparable to other landmark films of this genre, such as Midnight Cowboy, and even...
- 2/13/2013
- by Nijla Mumin
- ShadowAndAct
I still haven't seen the Kenyan crime drama, Nairobi Half Life, from director David Tosh Gitonga, which was Kenya's selection for the Best Foreign Language Oscar category, making it just the second film from Kenya to be entered into the race; the first was 2008's Heart of Fire, a Kenyan/German co-production about civil war in Eritrea. However, despite the entry, the film didn't make the short list of final nominations by the Academy for the 2009 Awards, and neither did Gitonga's much-buzzed about film. It hasn't screened in NYC yet, where I live, which is why I haven't seen it. But it looks like that might change, when the film will screen...
- 2/7/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
AFI Fest 2012, which concluded yesterday, has unveiled the recipients of this year's Audience and Jury Awards. Winners include Nicolaj Arcel's Danish Oscar entry "A Royal Affair," starring Mads Mikkelsen, and David Tosh Gitonga's Kenyan Oscar entry "Nairobi Half Life." Full list below. Select award-winning films were given encore screenings on November 8. The Academy recognizes AFI Fest Grand Jury winners in the live-action and animated shorts section as Oscar-qualifying. Grand Jury Awards, Live Action And Animated Short Live Action Short: Introducing: Bobby. by Roger Hayn “for crafting an honest vision of America by making an insightful portrayal of a single man.” Animated Short: Oh Willy... by Emma De Swaef and Marc Roels “for melding a dynamic narrative with innovative animation style that leads the viewer to pure wonderment.” Grand Jury Award, New Auteurs Eat Sleep Die for director Gabriela...
- 11/9/2012
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
Big congrats to Kenyan director David Tosh Gitonga, as his feature film debut, Nairobi Half Life, which S&A has covered plenty, has been awarded the Audience Breakthrough Award at the AFI Fest 2012, presented by Audi. The award comes with a $5,000 cash prize. And Student Academy Award winner Narcocorrido which stars Nicki Michaeux, directed by Ryan Prows also picked up an award for Honorable Mention for Performance: fir co-star Raul Castillo. Also, winning the award for Special Mention for Performance, for her contribution to the suspense/drama Simon Killer as both an actress and screenwriter, is Mati...
- 11/9/2012
- by Courtney
- ShadowAndAct
Nikolaj Arcel’s A Royal Affair, Denmark’s submission for the best foreign language film Academy Award, won the audience award in the World Cinema category at AFI Fest 2012, which concludes today. The film stars Alicia Vikander as an 18th century Danish queen who had an affair with the royal physician, played by Mads Mikkelsen. Audiences awards were also presented to Tobias Lindholm’s A Hijacking, which screened as part of the New Auteurs section; Jason Tippet and Elizabeth Mims’ Young Americans, from the Young Americans section; and David Tosh Gitonga’s Nairobi Half Life, from the Breakthrough section. Photos: Kristen Stewart, Garrett
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- 11/9/2012
- by Staff report
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The American Film Market (Afm®) and AFI Fest presented by Audi join forces and introduce a new AFI Fest screening program at this year’s market. Three AFI Fest films seeking international sales representation will be screened today, starting at 9:00 am. The program was jointly announced by Jonathan Wolf, Afm Managing Director and Jacqueline Lyanga, Director, AFI Fest.
The three festival titles that have been selected by AFI Fest to screen at Afm are: Here And There (AquÍ Y AllÁ) from writer/director Antonio Méndez Esparza (9:00 a.m. screening); Nairobi Half Life from director David Tosh Gitonga (11:30 a.m. screening); and Starlet from co-writer/director Sean Baker (2:30 p.m. screening).
“This was a natural progression in our long partnership with AFI Fest and provides these filmmakers an invaluable opportunity to screen for the world’s top sales agents,” said Wolf.
"The new screening program at the Afm has so much potential. It is going to give our AFI Fest filmmakers a chance to bring their films to the market to find representation; it's going to get their films directly in front of sales agents and buyers, and we hope that it will ultimately help these films get distributed internationally,” said Lyanga.
Afm and AFI Fest provide the only concurrent festival-market event in North America, connecting both art and commerce. The alliance affords films that are represented and/or screening at the market and festival unmatched marketing exposure. The partnership also provides AFI Fest filmmakers who visit Afm access to key decision makers from more than 400 of the world’s leading production and distribution companies.
A total of 27 films screening at AFI Fest will also be represented at this year’s Afm.
11 AFI Fest films will screen at Afm, including ABCs Of Death (Magnolia Pictures); Antiviral (IFC Films/TF1 International); Come Out And Play (Cananá Films); Ginger And Rosa (The Match Factory); John Dies At The End (Magnolia Pictures); Kon-tiki (Media Plan PR/HanWay Films); Quartet(HanWay Films); Simon Killer (IFC Films/ Fortissimo Films); and Zaytoun (Pathé International).
16 additional festival selections will be represented at Afm including: A Royal Affair (Magnolia Pictures); Berberian Sound Studio (IFC Films/The Match Factory); Beyond The Hills (IFC Films); Caesar Must Die (Adopt Films, LLC/Rai Trade); Eat Sleep Die (The Yellow Affair); Here Comes The Devil (Mpi Media Group); Holy Motors (Indomina); In Another Country (Kino Lorber); In The Fog (Strand Releasing/The Match Factory); Kid (Media Luna New Films); Pieta (Finecut); Tabu (Adopt Films, LLC); The Hunt (Magnolia Pictures); The Impossible (Summit Entertainment); The Most Fun I’Ve Ever Had With My Pants On (Continental Media); and War Witch (Tribeca Enterprises/Films Distribution).
About the Afm
The business of independent motion picture production and distribution reaches its peak every year at the American Film Market, Oct. 31 – Nov. 7, 2012. The global film industry converges in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making on films in every stage of development and production, as well as screenings, conferences, networking and parties.
With 8,000 industry leaders from more than 70 countries, 700 screenings and the industry’s largest Conference Series, Afm is the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers, directors, distributors, financiers, industry executives, producers, talent, writers, the international media and all those who provide services to the worldwide motion picture industry.
The Afm is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance®, the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television industry and the voice and advocate for the Independents worldwide. Visit www.AmericanFilmMarket.com and www.Ifta-online.org for more information.
About AFI Fest presented by Audi
The American Film Institute’s annual celebration of artistic excellence, AFI Fest presented by Audi brings the audience and the entertainment community together to explore the year in global cinema through the new works of film masters, moving image icons and breakthrough talents, and it is the only film festival of its stature that is free to the public. AFI Fest mixes nightly red carpet galas of Hollywood films with new auteur works from around the world, ensuring that an extraordinary array of foreign filmmaker voices is heard. Launching awards season each year, AFI Fest offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community, while providing audiences with the very best of global cinema, right in the center of the movie-making capital of the world.
Celebrating its 26th year as a program of the American Film Institute, the festival has paid tribute to numerous influential filmmakers and artists over the years, including Pedro Almodóvar and David Lynch as Guest Artistic Directors, and has screened scores of films that have produced Oscar® nominations and wins including, most recently, The Artist and A Separation.
AFI Fest 2012 presented by Audi will take place November 1 through 8 in the heart of Hollywood. AFI Fest is the only Fiapf-accredited film festival in the United States, and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI Fest as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the annual Academy Awards®.
Additional information about AFI Fest is available at AFI.com/Afifest. Connect with AFI Fest at facebook.com/Afifest,twitter.com/Afifest and youtube.com/Afifest.
The three festival titles that have been selected by AFI Fest to screen at Afm are: Here And There (AquÍ Y AllÁ) from writer/director Antonio Méndez Esparza (9:00 a.m. screening); Nairobi Half Life from director David Tosh Gitonga (11:30 a.m. screening); and Starlet from co-writer/director Sean Baker (2:30 p.m. screening).
“This was a natural progression in our long partnership with AFI Fest and provides these filmmakers an invaluable opportunity to screen for the world’s top sales agents,” said Wolf.
"The new screening program at the Afm has so much potential. It is going to give our AFI Fest filmmakers a chance to bring their films to the market to find representation; it's going to get their films directly in front of sales agents and buyers, and we hope that it will ultimately help these films get distributed internationally,” said Lyanga.
Afm and AFI Fest provide the only concurrent festival-market event in North America, connecting both art and commerce. The alliance affords films that are represented and/or screening at the market and festival unmatched marketing exposure. The partnership also provides AFI Fest filmmakers who visit Afm access to key decision makers from more than 400 of the world’s leading production and distribution companies.
A total of 27 films screening at AFI Fest will also be represented at this year’s Afm.
11 AFI Fest films will screen at Afm, including ABCs Of Death (Magnolia Pictures); Antiviral (IFC Films/TF1 International); Come Out And Play (Cananá Films); Ginger And Rosa (The Match Factory); John Dies At The End (Magnolia Pictures); Kon-tiki (Media Plan PR/HanWay Films); Quartet(HanWay Films); Simon Killer (IFC Films/ Fortissimo Films); and Zaytoun (Pathé International).
16 additional festival selections will be represented at Afm including: A Royal Affair (Magnolia Pictures); Berberian Sound Studio (IFC Films/The Match Factory); Beyond The Hills (IFC Films); Caesar Must Die (Adopt Films, LLC/Rai Trade); Eat Sleep Die (The Yellow Affair); Here Comes The Devil (Mpi Media Group); Holy Motors (Indomina); In Another Country (Kino Lorber); In The Fog (Strand Releasing/The Match Factory); Kid (Media Luna New Films); Pieta (Finecut); Tabu (Adopt Films, LLC); The Hunt (Magnolia Pictures); The Impossible (Summit Entertainment); The Most Fun I’Ve Ever Had With My Pants On (Continental Media); and War Witch (Tribeca Enterprises/Films Distribution).
About the Afm
The business of independent motion picture production and distribution reaches its peak every year at the American Film Market, Oct. 31 – Nov. 7, 2012. The global film industry converges in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making on films in every stage of development and production, as well as screenings, conferences, networking and parties.
With 8,000 industry leaders from more than 70 countries, 700 screenings and the industry’s largest Conference Series, Afm is the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers, directors, distributors, financiers, industry executives, producers, talent, writers, the international media and all those who provide services to the worldwide motion picture industry.
The Afm is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance®, the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television industry and the voice and advocate for the Independents worldwide. Visit www.AmericanFilmMarket.com and www.Ifta-online.org for more information.
About AFI Fest presented by Audi
The American Film Institute’s annual celebration of artistic excellence, AFI Fest presented by Audi brings the audience and the entertainment community together to explore the year in global cinema through the new works of film masters, moving image icons and breakthrough talents, and it is the only film festival of its stature that is free to the public. AFI Fest mixes nightly red carpet galas of Hollywood films with new auteur works from around the world, ensuring that an extraordinary array of foreign filmmaker voices is heard. Launching awards season each year, AFI Fest offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community, while providing audiences with the very best of global cinema, right in the center of the movie-making capital of the world.
Celebrating its 26th year as a program of the American Film Institute, the festival has paid tribute to numerous influential filmmakers and artists over the years, including Pedro Almodóvar and David Lynch as Guest Artistic Directors, and has screened scores of films that have produced Oscar® nominations and wins including, most recently, The Artist and A Separation.
AFI Fest 2012 presented by Audi will take place November 1 through 8 in the heart of Hollywood. AFI Fest is the only Fiapf-accredited film festival in the United States, and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI Fest as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the annual Academy Awards®.
Additional information about AFI Fest is available at AFI.com/Afifest. Connect with AFI Fest at facebook.com/Afifest,twitter.com/Afifest and youtube.com/Afifest.
- 11/6/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Film Africa 2012 to showcase 70 films from across the continent, with this year's focus country being South Africa
There has never been a greater interest in African film. The Nigerian video film industry, Nollywood – now the second largest in the world after Bollywood in terms of number of films produced – has revolutionised film production and distribution on the continent.
Celebrating the best of these productions, the UK's largest annual festival of African cinema, Film Africa 2012, opened in London on Thursday night, offering 10 days of 70 African films, film-maker Q&As, professional workshops, and nine nights of African music.
With the African-born residents of London including 105,000 Nigerians, 80,000 South Africans, 53,000 Zimbabweans, 44,000 Somalis, 39,000 Ghanaians, 25,000 Libyans, 18,000 Mauritians, 15,000 Kenyans, and 12,000 Eritreans, it is the perfect place to host the festival.
Film Africa 2012 confronts issues that are not entirely specific to Africa, but that are explored from a uniquely African perspective. Africa is not a single, monolithic entity,...
There has never been a greater interest in African film. The Nigerian video film industry, Nollywood – now the second largest in the world after Bollywood in terms of number of films produced – has revolutionised film production and distribution on the continent.
Celebrating the best of these productions, the UK's largest annual festival of African cinema, Film Africa 2012, opened in London on Thursday night, offering 10 days of 70 African films, film-maker Q&As, professional workshops, and nine nights of African music.
With the African-born residents of London including 105,000 Nigerians, 80,000 South Africans, 53,000 Zimbabweans, 44,000 Somalis, 39,000 Ghanaians, 25,000 Libyans, 18,000 Mauritians, 15,000 Kenyans, and 12,000 Eritreans, it is the perfect place to host the festival.
Film Africa 2012 confronts issues that are not entirely specific to Africa, but that are explored from a uniquely African perspective. Africa is not a single, monolithic entity,...
- 11/2/2012
- The Guardian - Film News
The 2012 installment of the Afrika Eye Film Festival in Bristol, UK, launches on Friday, November 9th, and will include in its lineup of film screenings, talks, and more, a celebration of 50 years of Jamaican independence. The opening night film will be the sensational new film from Senegalese director Moussa Touré, La Pirogue. Panel highlights include a discussion on how digital can help grow and cultivate audiences for cinema in Africa, which will include panellists Wanuri Kahiu, director of Pumzi, David Tosh Gitonga, director of Nairobi Half Life, John Mwangi, owner of Zenj Multimedia Communications, Bob Nyanja, director of The Rugged Priest, and...
- 11/1/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
AFI Fest 2012 presented by Audi, a program of the American Film Institute, today announced the events and screenings in its Presentations and Conversations programs, an additional screening and some of the guests who are expected to attend this year.s festival. AFI Fest, which annually presents the best of world cinema in the movie capital of the world, will take place November 1 through 8 at the historic Grauman.s Chinese Theatre, the Chinese 6 Theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Stay with us here at Wamg as we bring you the latest from the AFI Fest screenings, panels and after-parties right here in Hollywood!
Presentations:
This variety of special screening events offers audiences a unique festival experience.
Sunset Boulevard: Dir Billy Wilder
With restoration services by Technicolor, be among the first to experience one of Hollywood.s most beloved films as it was originally intended. A fitting release...
Stay with us here at Wamg as we bring you the latest from the AFI Fest screenings, panels and after-parties right here in Hollywood!
Presentations:
This variety of special screening events offers audiences a unique festival experience.
Sunset Boulevard: Dir Billy Wilder
With restoration services by Technicolor, be among the first to experience one of Hollywood.s most beloved films as it was originally intended. A fitting release...
- 10/31/2012
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
I'm late on posting this press release, which has several titles we've covered, making their USA debuts, which is key, like David Tosh Gitonga's Nairobi Half Life (Kenya's submission for this year's Best Foreign Language Film Oscar; others of note (although not necessarily making their USA debuts) include Ulrich Seidl's Paradise: Love and Paradise: Faith, Alain Gomis' Tey, and Student Academy Award winner Narcocorrido which stars Nicki Michaeux, among others. Nijla will be covering the festival in La for S&A, so we should get reviews of some of these films, as well as interviews with talent. Here's everything and the...
- 10/31/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
AFI Fest 2012 presented by Audi, a program of the American Film Institute, today announced the remaining sections and films that will screen in the festival.s World Cinema, Breakthrough, Midnight and Shorts programs. AFI Fest, which annually presents the best of world cinema in the movie capital of the world, will take place November 1 through 8 at the historic Grauman.s Chinese Theatre, the Chinese 6 Theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
World Cinema showcases the most anticipated and prize-winning international films of the year, Breakthrough highlights work discovered only through the submission process and Midnight.s selections are always haunting. Both World Cinema and Breakthrough feature a number of films making their North American or U.S. Premieres, including The Angels. Share, Greatest Hits, Laurence Anyways, Nairobi Half Life, Pieta, White Elephant and Zaytoun.
Two of the shorts in competition are from AFI Conservatory.s recent class of...
World Cinema showcases the most anticipated and prize-winning international films of the year, Breakthrough highlights work discovered only through the submission process and Midnight.s selections are always haunting. Both World Cinema and Breakthrough feature a number of films making their North American or U.S. Premieres, including The Angels. Share, Greatest Hits, Laurence Anyways, Nairobi Half Life, Pieta, White Elephant and Zaytoun.
Two of the shorts in competition are from AFI Conservatory.s recent class of...
- 10/16/2012
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Today, AFI 2012 announced its complete lineup, after previously debuting its New Auteurs, Young Americans, Galas and Special Screenings we finally get a look at the Midnight, Breakthrough, Shorts, and deliriously good World Cinema Selections.
The Shorts section, with almost too many to count, features new work from Nacho Vigalando, Nicolas Provost, and even Shia Labeouf (Cannes selected), among many others. The four Midnight titles all played in Tiff 2012’s Midnight Madness selection, and here we see John Dies at the End making a stop here after originally premiering at Sundance. They’ve nabbed three North American premieres in their Breakthrough section, including Kid from Fien Troch, Nairobi Half Life from David Tosh Gitonga, and Oh Boy from Jan Ole Gerster. But AFI has managed to really impress with it’s World Cinema selections. Just as they nabbed Cannes premiere Holy Motors for their Special Screenings, they’ve nabbed several high...
The Shorts section, with almost too many to count, features new work from Nacho Vigalando, Nicolas Provost, and even Shia Labeouf (Cannes selected), among many others. The four Midnight titles all played in Tiff 2012’s Midnight Madness selection, and here we see John Dies at the End making a stop here after originally premiering at Sundance. They’ve nabbed three North American premieres in their Breakthrough section, including Kid from Fien Troch, Nairobi Half Life from David Tosh Gitonga, and Oh Boy from Jan Ole Gerster. But AFI has managed to really impress with it’s World Cinema selections. Just as they nabbed Cannes premiere Holy Motors for their Special Screenings, they’ve nabbed several high...
- 10/16/2012
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
We've already highlighted 2 of the submissions below that fall under the African Diaspora category: Said Ould-Khelifa's Zabana! representing Algeria, and David Tosh Gitonga's Nairobi Half Life, representing Kenya. Scannig the fool list of 71 titles/countries below, I can say that there'll likely be 2 or 3 other highlights, so expect more. The Academy will announce the final list of 5 nominated films on Thursday January 10, 2013. The official Academy Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday February 24, 2013. Beverly Hills, CA – A record 71 countries, including first-time entrant Kenya, have submitted films for consideration in...
- 10/8/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Kenyan crime drama titled Nairobi Half Life, from director David Tosh Gitonga, is Kenya's selection for the Best Foreign Language Oscar category, making it just the second film from Kenya to be entered into the race (the first was 2008's Heart of Fire, a Kenyan/German co-production about civil war in Eritrea. However, despite the entry, the film didn't make the short list of final nominations by the Academy for the 2009 Awards. Gitonga's Nairobi Half Life centers on an aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya, who dreams of becoming a success. In pursuit of this, he makes his way to Nairobi, supposedly the city of opportunity, and faces a different...
- 9/26/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Nairobi Half Life is opening in Nairobi on August 31st. Definitely screening at Westgate - come and enjoy! That was a tweet from the production company behind the film - One Fine Day Films (founded by German filmmaker Tom Tykwer (Run Lola, Run, Perfume) with his girlfriend/partner, Marie Steinmann, with the goal being to promote and support filmmaking for aspiring filmmakers in Kenya, with Nairobi-based producing partners Ginger Ink). I like the looks and sounds of the Kenyan crime drama titled Nairobi Half Life, from director David Tosh Gitonga, which centers on an aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya, who dreams of becoming a...
- 8/21/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
I like the looks and sounds of this Kenyan crime drama titled Nairobi Half Life, from director David Tosh Gitonga, which centers on an aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya, who dreams of becoming a success. In pursuit of this, he makes his way to Nairobi, supposedly the city of opportunity, and faces a different reality when he arrives, and instead falls into a life of crime. The longer synopsis reads: A young aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya dreams of becoming an accomplished actor one day, and in pursuit of this and the chagrin of his brother and parents, he makes his way to Nairobi the city of opportunity. He quickly understands why Nairobi is nicknamed Nairrobery as he is...
- 7/18/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
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