That’s a wrap for Film Africa 2018!

39 films. 18 world, EU and UK Premieres. 15 African countries. 10 visiting filmmakers and talent. Q&As, panels, live music, parties, school screenings, family activities and other special events! All of that over 10 days, across 5 London venues!

 

Film Africa’s 8th edition drew to a close on Sunday, 11 November, to a sold out screening of Kasala! (UK premiere) by emerging Nigerian director Ema Edosio, who was present for a post-screening Q&A with the audience.

 

The Closing Gala also hosted the announcement of the winners of the Film Africa awards, both of which carry a cash prize of £1,000:

 

The Audience Award for Best Feature Film, presented for the fourth consecutive year, went to the deeply emotional Supa Modo by first-time director Likarion Wainaina.

 

Selected as Kenya’s official entry to the 2019 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, Supa Modo is the uplifting tale of 9 yearold Jo, a terminally ill girl whose village comes together to fulfil her dream of becoming a superhero. In response to his win, Wainaina said:

“Thank you Film Africa for the love and appreciation. I dedicate this award to everyone who has suffered loss. May you find your smile, your joy, your hope, your dream and may you find your own Supa Modo. Asante sana.” 

 

The Baobab Award for Best Short Film, presented for the eighth consecutive year and selected by a jury of industry professionals, went to Bariga Sugar by young writer, producer and director Ifeoma Chukwuogo from Nigeria.

 

Set in a brothel compound in Lagos, Bariga Sugar tells the story of a tender friendship between Jamil and Ese, the children of two sex workers. In response to her win, Chukwuogo said:

“I am incredibly thrilled that Bariga Sugar was chosen to receive this award. Thank you to the esteemed jury for this honour, to the Film Africa team for including Bariga Sugar in this year’s program, and to the audience for receiving it so wonderfully.”

 

The Baobab Award jury members – filmmakers Shola Amoo and Cecile Emeke and Talent Development Executive Matimba Kabalika – said:

 

“We were incredibly impressed by the humanity and warmth brought to the characters in Bariga Sugar. As a director and writer Ifeoma displayed incredible control, creating a genuinely rich tonality to the narrative. We would love to see what a feature-length piece of work would look like and hope this award supports her on that journey.”

 

Film Africa is especially grateful to our principal partners the BFI Audience Fund, the Miles Morland Foundation and the British Council for making the festival possible. We are also very grateful to our sponsors, host venues and other key partners and to our audiences, for bringing Film Africa to life!

We would love to get your feedback so we can continue to improve Film Africa in the future. Please spare three minutes to complete this survey and we will enter you into a competition to win two festival passes for our literature festival Africa Writes 2019 (5-7 July at The British Library)!