The 2018 Global Citizen Festival Mandela 100 did more than draw globally adored entertainers like Ed Sheeran, Pharrell Williams, Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z to the African highveld. It did more than make us beam with pride to see the likes of Sho Madjozi rustling the airwaves with her signature colourful effervescence. It did more than reward U.S headliners with the opportunity to collaborate with homegrown talent. The festival’s platform served as an opportunity for Africa Rising Film Festival (ARIFF) to launch and meet the world.

Last year, ARIFF launched as a side event at the Global Citizen Festival Mandela 100. This year, it is running from 27 - 30th November 2019 at the Newtown Precinct, Johannesburg, featuring Pan African and international film screenings. The festival is the brainchild of pioneers and filmmakers Kweku Mandela, Lala Tuku (Co-Chair) and Ayanda Sithebe. It was formed with the objective of raising awareness about African cinema, with emphasis on development, transformation, inclusivity and the preservation of memory.

Development refers to extending support, information and platforms for African filmmakers. Transformation means addressing the gaps, challenges and need for diversity in the film industry. The “inclusion” aspect of their focus refers to making all tiers of the industry accessible to youth, women, the “disabled”, and people from historically disadvantaged communities. Lastly, the “preservation of memory” refers to screening films and documentaries that capture African history and the uniqueness that characterises the continent.

Fun and Serious Fun

The ARIFF line up hosts a diverse range of experiences. From the fun and light-hearted to more reflective and intellectually challenging agendas. On the fun end of the spectrum, they will be kicking off by hosting exclusive parties and after-parties. After all, what is a film festival without an entertaining red carpet? Hosting tours, screening comedies and animations are also set to be part of the cheer. However, there will also be aspects that I prefer to dub “serious fun”. This being the continuation of the “film child” program and the inclusion of a “digital hub”.

Film Child is a special element to the festival, where the organisers will transport children from disadvantaged communities to the festival to experience cinema for the first time. For this year’s film child experience, the organisers will workshop the youth on animation. So as to cultivate imagination and interest in animation as a prospective career.

The Digital Hub will also serve as an exciting dimension to proceedings. The digital hub is a promised “state of the art” space where storytelling and future technology will meet. Think interactive videos, virtual reality and a “Gamezone” equipped with arcades, eSports and game coding. ARIFF partnered with Cisco South Africa, AMPD Studios, Himalaya Studios and TAM Gaming to realise this fun, inspiring but informative space that will be showing all participants, young and old, how they can enjoy and harness the opportunities presented by the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Seriously Good

On the more serious aspects of the spectrum, recognition and history will be holding much stock. As opposed to only fixating on latest releases, ARIFF is opting for films and documentaries from a range of years. They will release their “Pan African Cinema Legend Series”, which will honour director, Ramadan Suleman and feature the special screening of his films Fools (1997) and Zulu Love Letter (2004).

Other films and documentaries to look out for include Mama Africa, a documentary about the late musical icon, Miriam Makeba. Songstress Busiswa’s debut documentary, Busiswa: An Unbreakable Story, will be the festival’s inaugural film. Queen & Slim, directed by Melina Matsoukas, the internationally anticipated feature, will be the high note that the festival ends on.

As young as it is, ARIFF has distinguished itself by featuring a richly inclusive program that is both entertaining and legacy-minded. Their overall package demonstrates careful consideration. From cultivating generational awareness, supporting filmmakers, to utilising a central location, to expanding their definition of currency by giving the general public opportunities to earn tickets to the festival through a commitment to active citizenship.

Afrophilia definitely sees ARIFF as one to experience and one to keep an eye out for in future.

All images courtesy of Africa Rising International Film Festival