The heartbeat of Africa in the heart of Newmarket

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

30 March 2015

The heartbeat of Africa in the heart of Newmarket

WHO: African Film Festival New Zealand Trusthttp://www.africanfilmfestivalnz.org.nz

WHAT: First Ever African Film Festival in New Zealand

WHEN: 9-15 April 2015

WHERE: Rialto Cinemas, Newmarket, Auckland

For one magical week, April 9-15, African Film Festival New Zealand 2015 (AFFNZ) will bring the heartbeat of Africa to the heart of Newmarket with remarkable films representing diversity, innovation and creative achievement from across the continent….Lesotho, Senegal, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Mali, Chad, Nigeria, and Malawi. Tickets are now on sale at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket:www.rialto.co.nz.

“Each year, Auckland hosts many well-known film festivals---French, Documentary, International, Italian, South American, Spanish, Brasilian, etc. Our inaugural celebration of African cinema in NZ will expand the experience of cinema-lovers by presenting some of thevery best African films, many previous award-winners from festivals around the world,” says Boubacar Coulibaly, Chairman of the African Film Festival New Zealand Trust.

The Kaupapa is three-fold: (1) to advance the exposure and edification of New Zealand audiences to understand and appreciate 21st Century African cultures through the medium of film; (2) to help foster positive cultural relations and tolerance between the many diverse communities of Auckland; (3) to expand the current roster of cinema festivals to include African cinema.

Marilyn McFadyen, AFFNZ Producer/Director says, “AFFNZ will showcase African drama, comedy, documentary, music and children’s genres that will entertain, inspire, and inform Auckland cinema-lovers,about 21st Century Africa and African people beyond the lenses and filters of mainstream news media.”

“Through the media, all we hearare the sad stories about Africa and one of the things I am really enjoying about these films is that they show us the real Africa, they show life going on as normal for millions of people in these countries”

“We are confident this event will become an annual favourite on the New Zealand film festival calendar, and the African Film Festival circuit around the world,” says Ms. McFadyen

Witi Ihimaera, writing in the festival programme on behalf of AFFNZ Patrons (who are 12 of the country’s most well-known cultural icons), puts it best:

“Expect provocation, revelation and passion. Be assured of boldness, vibrancy, and vitality. Expect to come away visually enriched and understanding just a little better, some of the profound geographies and experiences of African people who now live in many New Zealand communities.”

AFFNZ Trust expectsthis festival togrow and develop over the years. Importantly, AFFNZwill help newly migrated and first-generation families of African descent to remain connected with the African Diaspora, thus fostering a strong sense of identity and self-confidence as they engage with and assimilate into New Zealand society.

“AFFNZ has long been a dream for the African Diaspora represented in New Zealand, and lovers of African culture from many different backgrounds. My fellow Trustees and I are so happy to see this dream finally realised”, said Mr Coulibaly.

AFFNZ is already generating great excitement here in New Zealand and internationally, and we are pleased to partner with prestigious African Film Festivals around the world.

• Festival Pan-African du Cinema et de la Television (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso who host the largest African film festival in the world;

• The Royal African Society in London and their Film Africa which last year screened more than 80 films from nearly 30 countries;

• New York City African Film Festival, now in its 15th year and one the oldest and most successful; and

• Tokyo’s African Film Festival which in the last four years has attracted a very strong following

ENDS

Patrons of African Film Festival New Zealand 2015

• Witi Ihimaera, Novelist and Screen Writer

• Honourable Penny Hulse, Deputy Mayor of Auckland City

• Sam Neill, Actor

• Joe Moodabe, ONZM, Former Chief Executive of Village SKYCITY Cinemas

• OscarVaiTo'elauKightley, MNZM, Actor and Writer

• Prof. Annie Goldson, Head of Film School, University of Auckland, Film Maker

• Prof. Michael Neill, Shakespearean Scholar

• Dame Jenny Gibbs, Arts Patron and Philanthropist

• Lady Clare McKinnon, Honorary Consul of Rwanda

• Ian Mune, Actor and Director

• Albert Wendt, Playwright and Novelist

• Wanjiku Kiarie Sanders, Playwright, Actor

• Bob Harvey, Chairman, Auckland Waterfront

• Siegfried Spath, Cinematographer

BACKGROUNDER

Who are the African Film Festival New Zealand Trust (AFFNZT)?

African Film Festival New Zealand Trust is a charitable trust registered with NZ Charities Services Office. AFFNZ Trustees are a multi-ethnic group who volunteer time and expertise to bring this festival to Auckland. They include business people, academics, filmmakers and community development specialists.

Why an African film festival?

We aim to bring the New Zealand community together to educate, entertain and inspire them with films that represent diversity, innovation and creative achievement from across the African continent.

Auckland has many well-known film festivals---International, Documentary, French, Italian, South American, Spanish, etc. Our goal is to expand and round out the film-going experience of New Zealanders by presenting the newest and best African films, many previous award-winners from festivals around the world.

What is the Kaupapa/Idea?

The Kaupapa is three-fold: (1) to advance the exposure and edification/education of New Zealand audiences to understand and appreciate 21st Century African cultures through the medium of film; (2) to help foster positive cultural relations and tolerance between the many diverse communities of Auckland; (3) to expand the current roster of cinema festivals to include African cinema.

What are the benefits to the sponsors of AFFNZ?

AFFNZ is already generating great excitement here in New Zealand and internationally. Our NZ Patrons are some of the country’s most well-known cultural icons. They are listed later in this summary. At this, our inaugural celebration of African cinema in NZ, we want to work with a few premium brands that are pleased to be associated with the expressive narratives of AFFNZ 2015. Given the diversity of the Continent, imagine the myriad themes of our festival: “trending; growth and expansion; vibrancy; boldness; colours; movement; music; nature; urban and rural life.”

What are the benefits to the community of an African film festival?

AFFNZ will help newly migrated and first-generation families of African descent to remain connected with the African Diaspora, thus fostering a strong sense of identity and self-confidence as they engage with and assimilate into New Zealand society.

AFFNZ will showcase African drama, comedy, documentary, music and children’s genres. For many New Zealanders, AFFNZ will be their first view of 21st Century Africa and her people from beyond the lenses and filters of mainstream news media.

Auckland City will benefit from the exposure that comes from a full week’s activities suitable for the entertainment of international visitors and NZ tourists, as well as wider Auckland communities. We are confident that this event will become an annual favourite on the New Zealand festival calendar and the African Film Festival circuit around the world.

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