Dedicated to advancing an enhanced understanding of African cultures through film and increasing visibility and recognition for African filmmakers in New Zealand. Africa has a rich history of storytelling – yet once the world discovered film, the continent became nothing more than an exotic backdrop to Hollywood’s dark fantasies. Not surprisingly, when Africans began making films for and about the
mselves, the results were as dynamic and passionate as the continent itself. Now, AFFNZ is proud to announce the first and only film festival in New Zealand dedicated entirely to African Cinema, from across the continent and the African Diaspora. With the help of our local and international partners, AFFNZ will showcase new work from emerging directors, as well as celebrated classics that helped launch an industry. For many New Zealanders, this will be their first view of modern Africa and her people from beyond the lenses and filters of mainstream news media. We are confident that this event will become an annual favourite on the film festival calendar. Our trustees are a multi ethnic group of community leaders, filmmakers, academics and business people, volunteering their time and expertise to bring this unique event to New Zealand. We are dedicated to advancing an enhanced understanding of African cultures through film and increasing visibility and recognition for African film makers in New Zealand. At the same time, AFFNZ provides New Zealand audiences a context for understanding the complex stories and everyday realities that reach us from the Continent via the news media.
