AfRIka Eye Festival - staged by ZImmedia

Article from Venue
Internationally praised films from Kenya and Senegal and a Bristol-made documentary will be getting their South West premieres when the region's biggest celebration of African culture returns to Watershed this weekend.

Afrika Eye, a vibrant line-up of African film, music, food, fashion and dance, heads to Bristol from Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 10, for its eighth successive year.

To mark the 50th anniversary of Kenya's independence, Kenyan films and film-makers are being given centre stage. This includes launching the festival with David "Tosh" Gitonga's Nairobi Half Life, which is being described by critics as Africa's Slumdog Millionaire.

Other film highlights include the multi-award-winning Tey, starring actor and hip-hop artist Saul Williams, and Death Metal Angola, strongly tipped to gain a cult following among rock music fans.

A Bristol-made documentary about the last absolute monarch in Africa will also be screened.

Away from the big screens, there will be a stunning exhibition on kanga, the highly colourful and boldly designed ceremonial dress worn by men and women in northern Kenya (pictured above worn by a Samburu Warrior).

Younger audiences can enjoy some brilliant creative workshops, including the ever-popular dance workshops, which culminate in a fantastic parade through the building and along the Harbourside.

Music will play a big part of the festival, with the chance to see and work with singer Mim Suleiman of Zanzibar, featured on the soundtrack of Grand Theft Auto V, and the legendary drummer Abass Dodoo from Ghana.

Visitors can also enjoy African-themed food and drink, director Q&A sessions, photo exhibitions and workshops for young people.

Afrika Eye 2013 Friday, November 8, to Sunday, November 10, at Watershed, Canons Road, Bristol. Visit afrikaeye.org.uk.


Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-Afrika-Eye/story-20052748-detail/story.html#ixzz2tlXw5tJE

Zimmedia is an award winning film company that produces fiction and documentary films on a wide range of subjects through arts and culture to politics and human rights. We produce and direct films for international television and cinema audiences, as well as NGO and corporate clients. Founded in Zimbabwe, we are now based in the UK.

Ingrid SInclair & Simon Bright

Robert Mugabe… what happened? directed by Simon Bright and produced by Michael Auret, had its World Premiere as the Opening Night film of the Encounters South Africa International Documentary Festival in Cape Town and went on to be the most watched film at the 2011 event, with additional screenings being added to accommodate the demand. Since then it has sold out at the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam and will be the first African documentary to be get a wide cinema release in the UK. Documentary (80′)