AFRICAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
10-11 Маy 2025
In collaboration with the French Institute and the Zanzibar International Film Festival, the Museum of African Art organizes the weekend African Short Film Festival. During two days, visitors can enjoy short films (up to 40 minutes) from all over Africa.
Created in various genres, the films raise many social topics such as women's solidarity, the fight against poverty, migration, terrorism, but also folk tangible and intangible heritage in contemporary life. An important segment of the festival is animated films for children and youth that will introduce the youngest to African stories while conveying important lessons.
In addition to the films, on the first day of the Festival, a conversation will be organized about kanga - a special fabric worn throughout East Africa, which visitors can see, not only in the film, but also in a small hall of the Museum of African Art where the exhibition "Kanga – Talking Cloths" is being presented.
Language of the African Short Film Festival is English. All films are subtitled in English.
Admission to the Festival is free with mandatory registration at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
PROGRAM
SATURDAY, 10 May 2025
14 h
The Master of Taarab, 27 min (Zanzibar/Tanzania, 2023), documentary
a film by Salum Maulid
The island of Zanzibar in Tanzania is a place where taаrab music has developed intensively. Interwoven with the history of the island, this type of music has given birth to numerous virtuosos who have become true legends. In this documentary, taаrab masters depict the journey through this magical music characteristic of Swahili culture, by portraying the famed singer Sihaba Juma.
14.45 h
The Kanga Talks, 13 min (Zanzibar/Serbia, 2024), documentary
a film by Aleksandra Prodanović Bojović
“The Kanga Talks” was created as a result of the Museum of African Art curator's research stay in Tanzania (in Stone Town and Dar es Salaam) in September and October 2024. It is based on interviews that were conducted with artists, kanga collectors and connoisseurs, who helped to shed light on the cultural meanings and everyday applications of the kanga cloths today.
15 h
In Conversation: Kangas in Everyday Life and Contemporary Art
Participants: Aleksandra Prodanović Bojović, senior curator and the author of The Kanga Talks film, Stephen Muoki Joshua, university professor of history of religion, Kenya and Giuseppe Capriotti, university professor of art history, Italy
Stephen Muoki Joshua is a professor of History of Religion at Pwani University in Kenya, whose area of scholarly interest includes Swahili folklore. The discussion on contemporary kanga meanings will touch upon religious proverbs in the context of non-verbal communication in Swahili communities using these cloths.
As an expert in the history of Early Modern Art from the University of Macerata in Italy, specializing in iconology and iconography, Giuseppe Capriotti has conducted research in Kenya since 2018. At the festival he will analyze the iconography of kanga fabrics and their symbolic connotations in the work of contemporary artist Peter Ngugi, dealing with the themes of corruption, misogyny and homophobia in Kenyan society.
17 h
Garibou, 20 min (Mali, 2023), drama
а film by Seydou Cise
On the marketplace of a Malian village, a young "Garibou" named Baillo begs every day on behalf of his caretaker, the Moualim. In the evening, the Moualim imposes terror over Baillo and the other children of the Koranic school. To escape this tyranny, Baillo takes refuge in his imagination. But when his barely 6 years old brother Sékou is placed with the Moualim, nothing can turn him away from the unbearable reality of their condition...
17.30 h
I Promise You Paradise, 25 min (Egypt, 2023), drama
а film by Morad Mostafa
Following a violent incident, Eissa, a 17-year-old African migrant in Egypt, strives to beat the clock to save his loved ones whatever it takes.
18 h
White Fabrics, 20 min (Senegal, 2020), drama
а film by Moly Kane
with Madjiguene Seck, Khadim Sène, Rokhaya Touré
A young woman prepares for her marriage while desperately and courageously trying to erase her past.
18.30 h
Will My Parents Come To See Me, 27 min, (Somalia, 2022), drama
a film by Mo Harawe
with Xaliimo Cali Xasan
Somalia. A policewoman sits in her parked car. After a while, she gets out, puts on her service cap, and enters the prison. There, decisive hours have dawned for young Farah. Organizational machinery starts up around him. Farah is examined by a doctor, instructed by the bailiff, and looked after by an imam. Farah is waiting for his parents to visit. “How are you?” is the question everyone asks him that day. Each time, “Good” is his concise answer. Only when the policewoman takes Farah out of town the next morning do the unspeakable become a painful reality.
SUNDAY, 11 May 2025
15 h
The Hunter and The Antelope, 13 min (Cameroon, 2016), animated film for kids
a film by Narcisse Youmbi
"The Hunter and The Antelope" is the first episode of the animated series Tales of Africa. Each episode tells a tale or a fairy tale with griot dad ‘n’ Zenutales at each of its staging in different parts of Africa: a long time ago, in Cameroon, a poor hunter could no longer find game. Meeting a wounded antelope changed his life and sealed their destinies.
15.15 h
The Three Truths, Tales of Africa, 14 min (Benin, 2017), animated film for kids
a film by Louisa Beskri and Wakili Adehan
One stormy night, a very sick man gives his son an assignment: pay off what they owe and come back to his bedside. He promised to tell him three truths he is the only one to hold. Unfortunately, when the son gets home, it is too late...
15.30 h
A Gift, Tales of Africa, 11 min (Mali, 2017), animated film for kids
a film by Ismael Dialo
A young girl is disappointed by her friend's gift: a simple shell. Papa Nzenu tells her that one day, in Mali, the destiny of a young man changed after his uncle gave him a calabash seed. The value of a gift is not always material...
15.45 h
A Special Present, 6 min (Mozambique, 2019), animated film for youth
a film by Nildo Essa
Lili, Stretch and ZéGordo, AKA, the Troublemakers, decide to surprise their friend Rosita by decorating her school for the neighbourhood’s annual Christmas dinner, however, they didn't expect to deal with Stinky who is a jealous kid and is willing to spoil the decorations and the event altogether.
16 h
What Did You Dream? 20 min (South Africa, 2019), film for youth
а film by Karabo Lediga
It's the summer holidays in 1990 South Africa and 11-year-old Boipelo is back at her grandmother's house. As the holidays come to an end, she becomes consumed by the fact that, unlike her two cousins, she can no longer remember her dreams and therefore can't help her granny play the local Chinese lottery.
17 h
Dem Dem / Leaving, 25 min (Senegal, 2017), comedy
а film by Pape Bouname Lopy, Christophe Rolin, Marc Recchia and Pape Lopy
with Dial Thiam, Léa Kane, Cheikh Omar Diaw, Aissatou Kébé Gningue, Aïcha Ashley Diaye, Seynabou Diop, Madja Diop Ndao
Matar, a Senegalese fisherman, finds the passport of a Belgian of African origin in the sea. He decides to use it and sets out to resemble him. As the days passed, the fisherman's appearance changes. He becomes increasingly enigmatic in the eyes of his wife, Nafi.
17.30 h
Henet Ward, Ward and The Henna Festival, 23 min (Egypt, 2019), drama
a film by Morad Mostafa
with Amal Salah, Marina Victor, Hagar Mahmoud, Emad Goniem
Halima a Sudanese woman living in Egypt and works as a henna painter. In a regular working day she goes to one of Giza’s local areas to prepare a bride for her wedding and her 7 years old daughter Ward accompanies her and starts to wander around and discover the place.
18 h
Fallou, 25 min (Senegal, 2017), drama
a film by Alassane Sy
with Fallou Galass Dia, Cheryl Walker
Fallou is a young man sent from Senegal to London by a marabout linked to a group of religious extremists. Fallou will discover, along with the city and its energy, the music and people of London.
18.30 h
Room No. 1, 29 min (Central African Republic, 2018), documentary
a film by Leila N'deye Thiam
In Room 1 of the trauma unit at the Bangui Community Hospital, ten women wait to finally be discharged and return home. They have each experienced different experiences and difficulties. As they wait, many discussions begin. They share worries, hopes, and plans, but also jokes, laughter, and good humour. The film indirectly talks about contemporary life in Central Africa.
Click here to download the Program for both days of the Festival (PDF).
Festival initiator: Azandi Kakora
Azandi Kakora is a South African cultural practitioner who studied Communication Science at the University of South Africa. She has a deep passion for film, art and contemporary dance.
In 2015 Azandi and her sister Sharon founded the company “Love Africa Film”, through which they are dedicated to fostering cultural exchanges through film. They specialise in selecting films for the Durban International Film Festival, location scouting, producing films, judging films and television programs for various award ceremonies and nurturing talent in young filmmakers. The company's headquarters are in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Selectors: Azandi Kakora, Aleksandra Prodanović Bojović, Ivana Vojt
Realization: Ivana Vojt, Aleksandra Prodanović Bojović, MAA curators
Poster design: Azandi Kakora
Technical realization of posters and other visual materials: Braća Burazeri
The festival is held in collaboration with The French Institute in Belgrade and the International Zanzibar Film Festival.
