Emem Isong’s African Cultural Film Festival 

Tosin Clegg

Filmmaker and producer, Emem Isong-Misodi, has announced dates for the maiden edition of her film festival, African Cultural Film Festival. It will hold from October 26 to 29, 2023, in Houston, Texas, United States of America. 

With an intent to project originality and diversity in culture the veteran filmmaker saw the festival as an avenue to herald this idea. She said, “With our theme being ‘Thinking Local, Going Global’, we want to discuss, among other things, how we as film makers can tell our rich local stories and enable them appeal to a global audience, without losing our authenticity. This theme also signifies our commitment to bridging the gap between the global audience and the local storytellers of Africa.

“We believe that by amplifying the voices of African filmmakers and showcasing their extraordinary talents, we can foster a deeper appreciation for African culture and promote a more accurate and nuanced understanding of this diverse continent. Affricuff is not just a film festival; it’s a cultural exchange, a celebration of unity in diversity. It about breaking stereotypes, forging connections, and creating opportunities for dialogue.”

According to the organisers, over 50 films, comprising of feature length movies, short films and documentaries, have already been submitted. Winners of the different award categories of the festival will be decided by a jury, chaired by foremost film journalist and creative industry expert, Dr. Shaibu Husseini. In the coming years, the organizers envision Affricuff becoming a beacon of African cinema, a platform that nurtures talent, aspire to see the festival grow, drawing audiences from every corner of the world, and continuing to serve as a catalyst for meaningful change.

“We envisioned a platform that celebrates the incredible wealth of African culture through the lens of cinema. Film has the power to transport us to different worlds, to evoke emotions, and to spark meaningful conversations. And so, we decided to use this powerful medium to showcase the unique voices and stories of Africa.” She added.