Africa Film Fest Australia 2024

Join us at the inaugural Africa Film Fest Australia from 19 - 21 July 2024! This three-day curatorial festival celebrates the richness and diversity of African cinema in the heart of Western Sydney; treating audiences to a showcase of contemporary films from Africa and the diaspora.

Including 7 feature films, a series of shorts and 3 unmissable events including the Afrofutures Animation in Western Sydney Screening and Workshop, held right here at ACE, be sure to come along and celebrate the vibrant and diverse world of African cinema with us this July!

The festival will kick off with the Australian premiere of Rise: Siya Kolisi Story. This compelling documentary chronicles the journey of Siya Kolisi, the first Black captain of the South African national rugby union team, detailing his rise from a challenging upbringing to international stardom. Join Kolisi, his family, friends, and teammates as they share the inspiring tale of his life.

The Festival will be hosted by Riverside Theatres in Parramatta, and is supported by Screen NSW, City of Parramatta, Multicultural NSW and WeirAnderson Films.

Feature Films
- After The Long Rains - Australian premiere - A story of a young girl named Aisha, who dreams of becoming an actress and overcoming gender norms in her community.
- Girl - A poignant tale of eleven-year-old Ama and her mother Grace, exploring themes of growth, memory, and the need to face the past.
- Colette and Justin - Australian premiere-Alain Kassanda's debut film, offering a deep dive into his grandparents' lives and postcolonial DR Congo's history.
- All the Colours Are Between Black and White - A tender love story set against the backdrop of Nigeria's anti-gay laws, winner of the Teddy Award for best queer film at Berlinale.
- Banel and Adama - A tale of young love and cultural conflict set in a remote Senegalese village.
- The Last Queen - Australia premiere- A historical epic about Queen Zaphira of Algeria, who stands up to the pirate Aruj Barbarossa.
Special Events
Umoja Short Films & Q&A Session: A collection of short films from Africa, France, and Australia, followed by an engaging Q&A session with local and international filmmakers.
Afrofutures Animation in Western Sydney Screening and Workshop: A creative workshop and screening session exploring the growing genre of African animation, facilitated by Nigerian-Australian animator Edi Udo and Jamaican-Australian Rubeena King. Special guest Seirat Hulu, Ethiopian-American writer/director from Pixar's SparkShorts program, will present the making of Self, a stop-motion animated short at Arts & Cultural Exchange Paramatta.