Cinema Africa!
As part of the redesign and redevelopment of Hyde Park Picture House, an independent, heritage cinema in Leeds, we were able to reflect on our pre-existing regular film strands. In my position at the cinema (Creative Engagement Officer - CEO if I may) and working with Leeds African Communities Trust, we have developed a brand new permanent African film strand at the cinema informed by the local community and an advisory group. This strand is curated by myself with the cinema team, and partner Maona Art.
If you would like to work with us on this strand, please email me on mosa@hpph.co.uk
Cinema Africa! has gone National! We are touring Mapantsula (1988) to over 30 cinemas and community spaces across the UK (and Ireland) in April - June 2024 in honour of 30 years of South African freedom.
In partnership with Maona Art, supported by ICO and funded by BFI we are presenting this newly restored film alongside an archive clip of Thomas Mogotlane (VILLON Archive) and encouraging cinemas to make partnerships with South African creatives and community groups to co-curate exciting screenings.
Read my blog post on ‘Touring Mapantsula: The journey to a national co-curation model’ and full tour venue listings are here.
The Cinema Africa! film strand launched officially in July 2023 with the re-opening of Hyde Park Picture House and a screening of The Wedding Party (2017). We also contributed three films to the inaugral Leeds International African Arts Festival 2023 with partners Durban International Film Festival and Maona Art including Money, Freedom, A Story of the CFA Franc (2022), Air Conditioner (2020) and This Is Not A Burial, It’s A Resurrection (2019).
Launching Cinema Africa! journal post here.
Prior to the cinema reopening, we started with some screenings off-site in our ‘On The Road’ programme. These screenings have been partnered with local community groups and accompanied with contextual discussions and introductions, reframing perspectives of the continent and its cultures.
Some of the screenings: Cook Off (2017) Zimbabwe, Juju Stories (2021) Nigeria, Khartoum Offside (2019) Sudan, Faya Dayi (2021) Ethiopia, Blind Ambition (2021) Zimbabwe, Queen of Glory (2022) Ghana/US
Youth (2018) part of Women Creators of the Future
Women Creators of the Future is a programme at Leeds International Film Festival 2022 presented in partnership with the Films Femmes Afrique Festival in Senegal, with support from British Council.
Cinema Africa! supported the film Youth on 12 Nov 2022 with a contextual film introduction, and a range of special guests from Leeds African Communities Trust.
