All Of It — A Preview of the 2024 New York African Film Festival

Podcast: All Of It — WNYC
Host: Tiffany Hansen (in for Alison Stewart)
Guests: Mahen Bonetti (Founder & Curator, NY African Film Festival), Oiza Adaba (Journalist, Filmmaker)
Date: May 7, 2024

Overview

This engaging episode previews the 31st Annual New York African Film Festival, an influential showcase amplifying African and African diaspora filmmaking. Hosted by Tiffany Hansen, the episode delves into the festival’s origins, the diversity of films and filmmakers represented, and the evolution and impact of African cinema with insights from founder Mahen Bonetti and participating filmmaker/journalist Oiza Adaba.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Purpose of the Festival

• Festival Genesis
  • Bonetti describes the founding as an "urgency" to “[present] a picture of Africa from the African perspective.” (04:20)
  • The festival’s aim is dual: to honor both the “old and the new” in African cinema, consistently spotlighting new voices and themes relevant to today's Africa.
  • Bonetti emphasizes inclusivity: "We are always mindful of celebrating the old and the new...there's never a lack of content." (04:20–06:25)
• Community Engagement
  • Addressed the scarcity of accessible African cinema before 1993. Movies “often came through various festivals and were not seen by people whose stories were being told.” (06:37)
  • The Festival now ensures screenings are accessible to diverse New York communities and beyond, via outreach and national tours.

2. Evolution of African Filmmaking

• Historical Perspective
  • Oiza Adaba notes African cinema's journey from being dominated by figures like Ousmane Sembène to thriving industries, especially Nollywood:
    • “The film industry in Africa...has evolved over the years...From the days where it was only Usman Sembène that represented anything filmmaking in Africa…” (09:08)
  • Cites success stories: Burkina Faso’s rich output, and Nigeria’s Nollywood becoming “the second largest film producer in the world.” (09:08)
• Changing Narratives
  • The guests discuss how film was once a colonial propaganda tool—now reappropriated to tell authentic African stories.
  • Adaba: “For so long, [our story] has been told for us, but it’s now being told by us.” (18:07)

3. Diversity within African Cinema

• Multiplicity of Voices
  • Bonetti stresses, “It’s not a singular story...there’s so many stories coming out of Africa and the diaspora.” (12:15)
  • The Festival intentionally curates a range of genres and thematic explorations—religion, coming-of-age, love, environment, and more.
  • Nollywood’s success has spurred other nations’ industries: “It has also given a template to all these other nations...to create their own nascent cinemas.” (12:52)
• Connecting Past, Present, and Future
  • Festival’s 2024 theme, "Convergence of Time," highlights dialogue between historical and contemporary African storytelling.

4. Nollywood and Archiving

• Evolving Industry
  • Discussion of Nollywood’s evolution “from quick turnouts on DVD...emphasizing quantity over quality” to today’s focus on high-quality, globally competitive films. (18:07)
  • Nollywood serves as an influencer for Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, and more.
• Archival Challenges
  • Adaba voices concern: “We've never really been the biggest or the best at archiving and documenting. Even materials...from the 70s and 80s are lost today.” (18:07)
  • Film is positioned as a powerful form of cultural preservation and self-representation.

5. Festival Highlights and Featured Films

• Opening Night: “Over the Bridge”
  • Described as a “beautiful film” exploring a banker’s soul-searching journey amid a professional crisis, blending old and new narrative forms. (15:51–17:36)
  • Bonetti: “The new is informed by the old and the old and the future are always present in the new.”
• Documentary: “Dela: The Making of El Anatsui”
  • Adaba’s documentary spotlights the reclusive, influential sculptor El Anatsui.
  • Adaba: “You give us two hours of your time...and we’ll tell you a detailed and deep story about one of the most recognized globally recognized sculptors.” (21:11)
  • The film screens May 12th, 3:30pm at Film at Lincoln Center.

6. Festival Venues and Dates

• Film at Lincoln Center: May 8–14
• Maysles Documentary Center (Harlem): May 17–19
• BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music): “Film Africa,” May 24–30

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Motivation:
  • Mahen Bonetti: “Our intention has always been to present a picture of Africa from the African perspective.” (04:20)
• On Access and Community:
  • Bonetti: “We go into the communities in the summer...We’re a caravan that travels around pitching our tent and putting up this screen and inviting everyone.” (08:45)
• On Nollywood’s Influence:
  • Bonetti: “Nollywood is the kernel. Each generation adds another layer...You have experimentation, sci-fi Nollywood, art house Nollywood.” (15:51)
  • Adaba: “Africans love to tell African stories...For so long, [our story] has been told for us, but it’s now being told by us.” (18:07)
• On Archives and Cultural Memory:
  • Adaba: “We’ve never really been the biggest or the best at archiving and documenting...How can we tell a complete story about ourselves if we can’t even bridge these gaps?” (18:07)
• On African Influence Worldwide:
  • Bonetti: “I look at what defines American culture and I see Africa everywhere. I go to Brazil, I go to Jamaica, and Africa is ever present in their cultural references.” (12:15)

Important Timestamps

• Introduction & Overview: 01:04–03:23
• Festival Founding Story: 04:20–06:25
• Pre-1993 African Film Access in NY: 06:25–08:45
• African Cinema Evolution (Adaba): 09:08–11:41
• Multiplicity of African Voices: 11:41–15:45
• Featured Film – “Over the Bridge”: 15:45–17:52
• Defining Nollywood: 17:52–20:54
• Archiving & Preservation: 18:07–20:54
• About “Dela: The Making of El Anatsui”: 21:11–22:23
• Festival Dates & Venues Recap: 22:23–22:47
• Closing Remarks: 22:47–23:02

Tone and Language

The conversation is enthusiastic, thoughtful, and inclusive, blending celebration of African achievement with candid acknowledgment of ongoing challenges. Both guests reflect deep appreciation for film’s unique ability to foster understanding, preserve memory, and shape the global narrative around Africa.

This summary captures the core themes and energy of the episode, offering direction for anyone seeking to engage with African film and culture through the New York African Film Festival or beyond.