BSA706 Update

Africa

Regional Background

Cinema came to Africa soon after its invention in France in 1896
Until countries began to gain independence from colonial powers in the 1960s, Western film makers depicted Africans as exotic and wild with little interest in African culture
France had assimilation as a goal with its colonial subjects and so aspiring film directors had opportunities to become involved in film production
Ousmane Sembene (Senegal b. 1923) directed Borom Sarret (1963) which is considered the first African film
By 1973, African films were prominent at the Cannes Film Festival

Kirikou and Sorceress (1998)

Cinema came to Africa soon after its invention in France in 1896
Until countries began to gain independence from colonial powers in the 1960s, Western film makers depicted Africans as exotic and wild with little interest in African culture
France had assimilation as a goal with its colonial subjects and so aspiring film directors had opportunities to become involved in film production
Ousmane Sembene (Senegal b. 1923) directed Borom Sarret (1963) which is considered the first African film
By 1973, African films were prominent at the Cannes Film Festival

FESPACO

Burkina Faso hosts the Panafrican Film and Television Festival (Fespaco), now in its 50th year

Nigerian Film Industry (Nollywood)

With the rise of handheld cameras and streaming services, film makes Africa-wide have been able to produce and distribute their work
Lionheart is the first Netflix original film from Nigera
Internet connections are still unreliable across the continent and Netflix is working to put infrastructure in place
SADE, Nigeria's first 3D animated adventure movie directed by Miller Luwoye

North African Film Industry

Egypt established a dominant position as the capital of the Arab film world
The 2011 revolution led to curfews which reduced cinema audiences and slowed film production down
The industry is beginning to recover with 40 feature films made in 2016 rising to 60 in 2017
Morocco and Algeria are challenging Egypt as film making hot spots
Nawara (directed by Hala Khalil) trailer

Like most filmmakers, Khalil complains that studios want "popcorn" movies over serious films

Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF)

African Animation Awards

First film running
The festival is designed to encouraged the creation of more local African content, identify best emerging talent, and provide platform to present best quality content to the world

Central African Film and Amination

Nicole Amarteifo: An African City
Called Ghana's "Sex and the City", An African City follows the life and loves of an expat Ghanian on her return from years from living in the US and her four successful friends

Episode 1

Kumawood and Gollywood

Kumawood is a privately owned company based in Kumasi, Ghana
Gollywood is the official name of the film industry in Ghana (2018)
Ghana's film industry made $90.6 billion in 2010 and nearly $100 billion in 2012
Single, Married, & Complicated is an example

Year three animation