About the films
The festival opens with Chinonye Chukwu's 'Alaskaland', the coming-of-age story of a Nigerian raised in Alaska. From Clemente Bicocchi comes 'Black Africa White Marble', where a descendant of the Italian explorer who gave his name to Congo-Brazzaville
uncovers a plot that threatens to sully that name. And 'Confusion Na Wa', by Kenneth Gyang, gives powerful social commentary on how the miscarriage of justice incites people to take the law into their hands.
Then, there are those films that are like open-ended questions, offering no definite answers, but rather sparking conversation. Roy Agyemang's 'Mugabe: Villain or Hero?' explores the relationship between the Zimbabwean leader and the West against the backdrop of the tussle for minerals and land. Agyemang draws on archival footage and original shots that offer unprecedented access to Mugabe and his entourage. 'The Stuart Hall Project' is a film on the Jamaican-raised part Scottish, part African, part Portuguese Jew cultural theorist and sociologist. Director John Akomfrah's portrayal of Hall's life, work and cultural impact explores issues of identity, cultural acceptance, immigration and assimilation that more of us are facing in a globalized world.
As its broadens its repertoire, this year's edition of the festival will feature Côte d'Ivoire's first ever 3D feature animation about a princess who tries to stop war from breaking out in the 18th century kingdom after a warrior seizes power.
Children over eight years old and animation buffs are encouraged to catch 'Pokou Ashanti Princess' by Afrikatoon Production. Amid more thoughtful films, award-winning Nigerian-Welsh director Branwen Okpako's 'The Pilot and The Passenger' makes its world premiere at Lights, Camera, Africa!!! 2013, telling the captivating story of celebrated post-colonial poet, traditional priest and Biafran soldier, Christopher Okigbo.
This year's festival, themed 'Great Migrations', is brought to you by The Life House in collaboration with the African Film Festival Inc., New York, and Nadia Denton.
