Film Africa 2024 proudly announces the appointment of Keith Shiri as its lead curator. With a wealth of experience in international film curation and a long-standing commitment to promoting African cinema, Shiri brings unparalleled expertise to this prestigious role. His appointment signals an exciting chapter for the festival dedicated to showcasing the richness and diversity of African and African diaspora filmmaking.
Shiri is the founder and director of Africa at the Pictures, a renowned London-based festival spotlighting African cinema. His credentials extend even further—he serves as a programme adviser for the London Film Festival, is the current chair and founding member and current chair of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, and has lent his expertise to globally respected film festivals such as Venice, Berlin, Dubai, Ouagadougou, and Tampere. His international footprint is further emphasized by his role as Regional Secretary (Europe) for the Federation of African Filmmakers (FEPACI) and his academic involvement as a Visiting Research Fellow at the Research and Education Centre in Arts and Media at the University of Westminster.
Shiri’s dedication to nurturing African talent is evident in his position on the advisory board of New York’s Focus Features Africa First Programme, where he mentors emerging African filmmakers.
Shaping the Vision for Film Africa 2024
Shiri’s appointment aligns perfectly with the ethos of the Royal African Society and Film Africa, which are deeply committed to expanding the reach of African culture and amplifying diverse voices. Under his curatorship, Film Africa 2024 will showcase a dynamic blend of films curated by filmmakers, critics, and cultural commentators, each bringing their perspective on the complexity and nuances of African and diasporic experiences.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Shiri remarked:
“I am thrilled to join Film Africa as lead curator. African cinema is undergoing an extraordinary period of creativity and innovation, and this festival provides an essential platform to share these stories with African audiences and the diverse diaspora in Britain. I’m eager to curate a selection of films and conversations that push forward the dialogue on African film and culture, which is rapidly becoming a dominant global force.”
Film Africa 2024: Celebrating African Talent
Scheduled to run from 25 October to 3 November 2024, Film Africa continues its mission of spotlighting the best in African and African diaspora filmmaking. The festival is now inviting filmmakers to submit their work for consideration.
This year, two major awards will be presented:
- The Baobab Award for Best Short Film
- The Film Africa Audience Award for Best Feature-Length Film
Both awards come with a £1000 cash prize. The festival accepts all types of films, including fiction, documentary, short films, and experimental works. Eligible submissions must be produced in 2020 or later and created by filmmakers from Africa or the African diaspora.
With Shiri at the helm, Film Africa 2024 promises to be memorable, offering a vibrant platform for African cinema to shine globally.
