SVAFF 2012 - Souvenir Program

2 Silicon Valley African Film Festival - Africa through African lens!

Welcome message: 2

The team: 2

Award winner: 5

Festival schedule: 6

Opening night film: 7

Official selections: 8

VOLUNTEERS:Ana Angel | Dami Bolarinwa

YAnad Burrell | Henry BurtonRichard Burton | Christopher ColemanDanielle Coleman | Marjorie A. Craig

Tunde Elegbede | Bishal GautamSmriti Gautam | Matthew Griffin

Patrice Johnson | Manchen Lu | Dan LuoLissett Mendoza | Reginald C. Ofodile

Sharell Savoy |Chasity ShelbyCarol Stafford | Akofa Tsiagbe

Latricia Williams | Carol Afua Yates

STAFF:Volunteer Coordinator:

Brandace UkwuijeHospitality Manager:Angela Spiff-Nwoye

Floor Manager:Timi Warikoru

Outreach Committee:Chika Egemba | Chioma Ureh

Debby Cantrell | Chinyere NwabugwuBox Office Manager:

Kechy EkeLogistics:

Goodluck UkwuijePrograms:

Deffria Bass-NwoffiahChief Technology Officer:

Gabriel C. Nwoffiah

ADVISORY BOARD:Ozoekwe A. O. Braddy (Chair)Dela Acolatse | Stacy Cusulos

Barbara Waugh | Chinedu NwoffiahDr. Mohamed Gazala (Egypt)

Lucy Igbenabor (Nigeria)Gabriel Okanime (South Africa)

Welcome to:

Africa Through African Lens!A showcase of first voice filmmakers whose works reflect

the true stroies, hopes and dreams of Africa.

FESTIVAL DIRECTORS MESSAGECONTENTS

THE TEAM

The mission of the Silicon Valley African Film Festival is to promote an under-standing and appreciation of Africa through moving images.

We believe:

That after five decades of independence, most of Africas narrative is still presented to the world through voices that are several degrees removed from the continent.

That these second and third voice narratives have created blurred interpre-tations, perceptions and misunderstanding of Africa outside its borders.

That the African film industry is vibrant and has much to offer the global community.

That across the various regions of Africa, there are established and emerg-ing first voice filmmakers whose works reflect the true stories, hopes and dreams of Africa.

That providing a forum for the exhibition of films by Africas first voice film-makers is an essential step to sharing the real Africa with the global com-munity.

In the 1950s and 60s, African filmmakers began to create images of post-co-lonial Africa with nuanced understanding of Africas cultural diversity. Over the last half century, having sliced through stereotypes with exacting social critique, African cinema has become a unique blend of aesthetic experimentation, his-tory and politics.

We have assembled a full menu of narrative and documentary features, shorts and animations from 15 countries. From Ghana to Uganda, Tunisia to Tanzania, Nigeria to Namibia, Senegal to South Africa; our films will delight and inspire you, so kick back and enjoy!

I will like to thank our presenting partners Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) and African Diaspora Network; our sponsors, donors, staff, advisors and team of volunteers without whom this festival will not be possible. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor iROKO Partners (the Netflix of Africa) for their partnership as we look forward to a longterm relationship.

I welcome you to the 3rd Annual Silicon Valley African Film Festival and invite you to an enchanting journey across the vast richness of the African Continent through the lens of Africas seasoned and emerging filmmakers.

Thank you and God bless!

Chike C. Nwoffiah Festival Director

3Silicon Valley African Film Festival - Africa through African lens!

PROCLAMATION GOES HERE


Tunde Kelani is one of the most important African Filmmakers today. He has been at the forefront of the production of cultural films using contem-porary themes to paint on the canvas of indigenous myths and traditions. As a filmmaker, his passion is to use lights, both natural and contrived, to create images, organize his visual landscapes and to interpret the narrative in concrete terms.

He drew a real passion for photography very early in life. He managed to own his first still camera in elementary school but never learned to use it, however, it was in high school at Abeokuta Grammar School that his vision and passion for capturing the world through images grew. The rich Yoruba culture of his immediate townscape, the rockhills of Egba, the sheer splen-dor of the flora of the deep rainforest surrounding brought the assurances of a fully committed lifes pursuit. He worked for the new television arm of the Nigerian Broadcasting Service and from there, went directly to London Film School where he graduated with a professional diploma in the Art and Technique of Filmmaking.

Mr. Kelani has worked on most feature films produced in Nigeria in his capacity as a Cinematog-rapher and Director. After many years in the Nigerian Film Industry as a Cinematographer, he now manages the Lagos based Mainframe Film & Television Productions, an outfit he formed to docu-ment Nigerias rich culture. He has been a long time advocate of taking information and entertain-ment to the grassroots as he demonstrated when he screened his 2008 feature film Arugba in free open-air settings in 57 local government and development council areas in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Some of Mr. Kelanis films include: Ti Oluwa Nile (1993), Ayo Ni Mo Fe (1994), Koseegbe (1995), O Le Ku (1997), A Place Called Home (1997), Twins of the Rain Forest (1997), The White Handkerchief (1998), Saworoide (1999), Thunderbolt (2001), A Barbers Wisdom (2002), Agogoeewo (2002), The Campus Queen (2004), The Narrow Path (2007), Life In Slow Motion (2008), Arugba (2008). His latest film Maami (2011) screens at the 2012 SVAFF on Saturday, October 13 at 8:00PM in Tateuchi Hall.

The Africa Reel Award is our festivals highest award and is presented to a filmmaker of African origin whose body of work represents excellence

in the art of film but more importantly a filmmaker who has through such body of work shown a dogged commitment to uplifting the spirit of Africa.

We are delighted that this years award will be presented to Mr. Tunde Kelani TK in recognition of his many years of commitment to lifting up our people through his films.

2012 SVAFF Africa Reel Award Winner

Tunde Kelani, Director & Producer (NIGERIA)


Festival ScheduleFE

STIV

AL S

CH

ED

ULE

Friday, Oct 12, Screen 1 (Tateuchi hall) Screen 2 (Raey Rom) 5:30-6:20 PM Red Carpet Reception / Mixer in the lobby / Photos 6:30 7:30PM Opening Ceremony in the theater: Parade of flags,

African drumming, Mayor of Mountain View presents a proclamation, introduction of filmmakers in attendance, VIPs

8:00-9:30PM Opening Night Feature Film FREEDOM / (Nigeria, 1957) Post-Screening Dialogue

Sat. Oct. 13, Screen 1 (Tateuchi Hall) Screen 2 (Reay Room) 11 12:40 PM Siku za Juma animation short (5 mins) / Kenya

Brothers Keeper narrative short (10 mins) / South Africa Equatorial Escape narrative feature (78 mins) / Ghana

1:00 2:30 PM Girl Fight documentary short (23 mins) / South Africa Strong Bones - documentary short (10 mins) / South Africa Yarawits animation short (10 mins) / Ethiopia Chumo narrative short (44 mins) / Tanzania This segment is presented in partnership with Bay Area Womens Sports Initiative.

2:30 3:00 PM Break - African market in the lobby / Food Break - African market in the lobby / Food 3:00 4:00 PM Gaze of the Stars narrative short (26 mins) /

Mozambique Sabriya narrative short (26 mins) / Tunisia

4 6PM Honayns Shoe animation short (4 mins) / Egypt Waiting Lines narrative short (5 mins) / Nigeria Seasons of a Life narrative feature (103 mins) / Malawi

African Diaspora Summit Exploring the Role of Diaspora Africans in the African Renaissance

6 6:30PM Break African market in the lobby / Food Summit Reception in the lobby 6:30 7:50PM Looking for Lilonga narrative short (18 mins) / Namibia

!Xun Electronica documentary short (23 mins) / South Africa Mwanasikana narrative short (40 mins) / Zimbabwe

June 16 documentary short (14 mins) / South Africa Sophias Homecoming narrative short (26 mins) / Namibia So Be it narrative short (26 mins) / Senegal

8:00 10PM Joes Fatherhood Journey doc short (15 mins) / South Africa Maami narrative feature (97 mins) / Nigeria

Lesotho: life on the Edge doc short (13 mins) / Lesotho Tiim documentary short (31 mins) / Burkina Faso

11:00 PM Festival Party (location TBD) Sun. Oct 14, Screen 1 (Tateuchi Hall) Screen 2 (Raey Room) 11 1:00 PM Botswana: Diamonds & Democracy doc short (13 mins) /

Botswana Stories from Tahrir documentary feature (92 mins) / Egypt

Anfara Theyve Started! narrative short (5 mins) / Nigeria Perceptions documentary short (10 mins) / Nigeria Maami narrative feature (97 mins) / Nigeria

1:05 - 2:45 PM My Beautiful Nightmare narrative short (12 mins) / Namibia Lilies of the Ghetto narrative feature (84 mins) / Nigeria

Festival of Shorts: Zebu and Photo Fish (12 mins) / Kenya River of Stones (13 mins) / South Africa Mocassins (14 mins) / Kenya My Fathers Son Motswana Rapper (23 mins) / South Africa

3:00 4:00 PM Wheels on the Bus documentary short (15 mins) / Zimbabwe Toindepi Documentary short (16 mins) / Zimbabwe Post-screening dialogue with filmmaker | This segment is presented in partnership with IDEX

4:10 6:15 PM Elegy for a Revolutionary narrative short (24 mins) / South Africa The Ugandan narrative feature (85 mins) / Uganda Post-screening dialogue with both filmmakers

6:30 7:00 PM Break African market in the lobby / Food 7 9PM Closing / Awards Ceremony


Opening Night Feature Film

Freedom screens on Friday, October 12 at 8:00 PM in the Tateuchi Hall

OP

EN

ING

NIG

HT

A classic film that was shot in Nigeria in 1957 and set in a fictitious African nation in the 1950s. The plot features several inter-ethnic and inter-political party intrigues, as well as the relationship with the colonial power and the traditional king of the nation. The Nigerian Trib-une Newspaper in its 1957 review wrote: With all its tech-nical brilliance, Freedom is above all the sincere expression of the African peoples fight for freedom; it captures superbly the color and beauty of our country.


Anfara - Theyve started!Director: Chinedum IregbuCountry: NigeriaLength: 5 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortIn this tribute to the victims of religious

violence in northern Nigeria, young director Chinedum Iregbu shows us how fear and anxiety now rules Nigerias everyday life. (un, Oct. 14 at 11am (Raey Room - General Audience)

Botswana: Diamonds / DemocracyDirector: Anne HolmesCountry: BotswanaLength: 13 minutesGenre: Documentary ShortThis video investigates an appar-

ent contradiction. Despite Botswanas democratic constitution, Basarwa, or the Sun People, still suffer from discrimination, sometimes to the extent of torture. Alice Mongwe of Ditshwanelo, Botswanas Human Rights Organization, meets with a Masarwa spokesperson, Matenge Tuelo, to report on an international Basarwa conference to a rural community. Sun, Oct. 14 at 11am (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

Brothers KeeperDirector: Molebogeng AngomaCountry: South AfricaLength: 10 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortA young mans dream of going to

college is jeopardized when his brother forces him into illegal activity. When he tries to break away, he faces a more threatening situation. Sat, Oct. 13 at 11am (Tateuchi Hall - PG 13)

Chumo / Bride PriceDirector: Jordan RiberCountry: TanzaniaLength: 44 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortJuma, a poor young fisherman, is in

love with Amina. They long to be together, but Aminas father, Ali does not want her to live an impoverished life and sees a better future in Yustus, a rich but self-serving young suitor. Jumo must put everything on the line to save their love. Sat, Oct. 13 at 1pm (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

Elegy for a RevolutionaryDirector: Paul Van ZylCountry: South AfricaLength: 24 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortElegy for a Revolutionary uses the

experience of underground political action in South Africa during the early 1980s. It examines the motives of a group of young white liberals who turn to violence to oppose the repressive Na-tionalist Government. At the core of this account is one question: Can violence be justified as a way of opposing tyranny? Film-maker Paul Van Zyl hopes to educate and entertain the audience with questions like these, and explore the divide between left and right, black and white, loyalty and treachery. Sun, Oct. 14 at 4pm (Tateuchi Hall - PG 13)

Equatorial EscapeDirector: Yorm NuworzahCountry: GhanaLength: 78 minutesGenre: Narrative FeatureEquatorial Escape is a twist of fate

movie woven with suspense and tragedy. Mr. Cevic accidentally kills his wife and is imprisoned for life and his daughter is sent to an orphanage where she grows up away from family ties. In a twist of fate, several years later the young girl, now a grown woman is a corporate executive. What she doesnt know is that the CEO is her stepbrother. Sat, Oct. 13 at 11am (Tateuchi Hall - PG 13)

FreedomDirector: Ifoghale AmataCountry: NigeriaLength: 95 minutesGenre: Narrative FeatureFreedom is a feature film, made in

Nigeria in 1957, set in a fictitious African nation in the 1950s, still a colony of Imperia which is represented by a typical bureau-crat complete with the British upper class accent. It was shot on celluloid in beautiful colors with exceptional footage of normal life and activities. The scenes are timeless West Africa. The plot features several inter-ethnic and inter-political party intrigues, as well as the relationship with the colonial power and the traditional king of the nation. Filmed on the eve of Africas independence, Freedom is a window to the hopes of Africans in anticipation of self-rule. The Nigerian Tribune Newspaper in its 1957 review wrote: With all its technical brilliance, Freedom is above all the sincere expression of the African peoples fight for freedom. Filmed in Nigeria, it captures superbly the color and beauty of our country. Fri, Oct. 12 at 8pm (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

Girl FightDirector: Phumlani VetoCountry: South AfricaLength: 23 minutesGenre: Documentary ShortMdantsane township in the Eastern

Cape is the home to South Africas foremost female boxer and world champion Noni Tenge. Less well-known is the teenage girl Nozwelethu Mathontsi, a 17 year old fighter who lives for the ring. The film follows Nozwelethu s journey as she gives her all to the sport of boxing. Her sheer guts and determination to succeed in a male dominated sport and the mentoring she receives from Noni Tenge is a celebration of the human spirit. Sat, Oct. 13 at 1pm (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

Honayns shoeDirector: Mohamed GhazalaCountry: EgyptLength: 4 minutesGenre: Animation ShortWinner of the Animation Prize at the

6th African Movies Academy Awards in Nigeria, Honayns Shoe is story about a lost nomad, Honayn, with his camel searching for his shoe in the wide desert. Sat, Oct. 13 at 4pm (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

2012 Silicon Valley African Film Festival

Official Selections:

20

12

SE

LE

CTIO

NS


Joes FatherhoodDirector: Siphesihle MazibukoCountry: South AfricaLength: 15 minutesGenre: Documentary shortJoes fatherhood is a journey to self

discovery that a young father takes in search of answers of what fatherhood means. Jongikhaya aka Joe, grew up without his father is his life. Faced with a pregnant girlfriend, he tries but fails to fulfill the role that only a father can play in order to rightfully marry the girl as custom demands. He too is then separated from his girl friend and his son begins to grow up without him. Joe, haunted by the guilt and emptiness of not knowing how to be a father but determined to become a real father to his son embarks on a quest to find his own father. The result is a lesson in person-al responsibility and obligation to ones family and community. Sat, Oct. 13 at 8pm (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

June 16Director: Siviwe BesmanCountry: South AfricaLength: 14:30 minutesGenre: Documentary shortA sixteen-year old girl is fed up with

the condition of her high school: poor education, poor facilities, broken windows, drug peddlers, no safety, etc. Since the govern-ment appears not to be doing anything to help the situation, the young activist sets out to find answers on how to solve the prob-lems at her school. In homage to the heroes of the June 16, 1976 high school student led uprising in South Africa, she sets out on June 16 to find and talk to some of the forgotten heroes and seek their wise counsel on how to tackle the issues she and her schoolmates face today. Sat, Oct. 13 at 6:30pm (Raey Room - General Audience)

Lesotho - Life on the EdgeDirector: Anne HolmesCountry: LesothoLength: 13 minutesGenre: Documentary ShortFamily life in Lesotho is generally frac-

tured as a consequence of migrant labor, but Madame Mampho Meno is something of an exception: she and her husband are still in love after decades of marriage. She has numerous projects un-derway to ensure her familys survival whatever the political and economic vagaries of the mines. The cycle from herdboy to miner is deeply entangled in Basotho life, and increasingly ineffectual in terms of the national economy. Small, proud and determined, Madame Mampho represents a dawning spirit of independence. Sat, Oct. 13 at 8pm (Raey Room - General Audience)

Lilies of the GhettoDirector: Joseph Ubaka UgochukwuCountry: NigeriaLength: 84 minutesGenre: Narrative Feature

An ex-convict and ghetto mobster abducts five teenage boys and introduces them to the hard life of drugs and crime. As the boys begin to drop dead one after another, one the boys begins to rethink and now wants out. He is too deep and had taken a death oath that to quit will get him killed, or maybe he might have to kill his way out of the gang. Award winning filmmaker, Joe Ubaka represents the new Nollywood that wants to make films that challenge our conscience and hold a mirror to the society. As he puts it, his main aim in making Lilies of the Ghetto is To capture this great cultural problem of Africa and the consequences facing the continent in the continued neglect of the character formation, formal training and educational empowerment of the Africa child. Sun, Oct. 14 at 1pm (Tateuchi Hall - Mature Audience)

Looking for LilongaDirector: Tim HuebschleCountry: NamibiaLength: 18 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortOne day a man arrives at Simons

home and claims that his wife has borrowed a lot of money from him - and indeed she did. Simon is faced with one option only: he has to repay his familys debts. Ripped from his comfortable rural lifestyle, he travels far away to the big city, hoping to work off the debts. But from the moment he sets foot in the city, everything seems to go wrong... looking for Lilonga is A Tale of Courage and Bad Luck. Sat, Oct. 13 at 6:30pm (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

MaamiDirector: Tunde KelaniCountry: NigeriaLength: 97 minutesGenre: Narrative Feature

Kashimawo, national hero and superstar from the English football club Arsenal, comes back to Nigeria and has to make the crucial decision of whether to join the national team in its lasts moments of preparation for the 2010 South African World Cup. He has two days to make up his mind, but while the country awaits his decision Kashimawo will have to confront his past in order to be at peace with himself and his country. Veteran Nigerian filmmaker and our 2012 Africa Reel Award winner Tunde Kelani weaves a tale of love, patriotism, patriarchy and the ambiguous burden of memory in his latest film Maami. Sat, Oct. 13 at 8pm (Tateuchi Hall) / Sun, Oct. 14 at 11am (Raey Room) - PG 13

MoccasinsDirector: Denis KimathiCountry: KenyaLength: 14 minutesGenre: Narrative Short10 year-old Jamin is a skilled soccer

player and the best in his team, but he cannot afford shoes and is often teased by his peers. His father surprises him with a new pair of shoes and Jamin is ecstatic. He treasures the shoes so much that he refuses to wear them at the next game for fear of getting them soiled. Jamin now has to choose between the love for his new shoes and his love of soccer or risk losing his team mates friendship and respect. Sun, Oct. 14 at 1pm (Raey Room - Gen)

MwanasikanaDirector: Ben ZuluCountry: ZimbabweLength: 40 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortMwanasikana is the story of young

Tariro whos education is under threat because she is a girl. Tariros father is deep in debt with the local storekeeper and in or-der to keep him satisfied, her father promises Tariro as his bride. Tariros older sister overhears their sinister plan and confronts her father. The mother is shocked at her husbands plan and together the women convince Tariros father that she is too young to be married off and rather must finish her education. Sat, Oct. 13 at 6:30pm (Tateuchi Hall - PG 13)

20

12

SE

LE

CTIO

NS


My Beautiful NightmareDirector: Perivi John KatjaviviCountry: NamibiaLength: 12 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortA young woman bruised by the city,

seems incapable of escaping her destructive lifestyle. But when she gets beaten up, the experience leaves her shaken and forces her to rethink what shes doing and how far she has strayed from the freedom and innocence of her childhood. This is a film that highlights the dangers that young girls face in big cities and chal-lenges us to question how we protect and provide safe zones for victims of abuse. Sun, Oct. 14 at 1pm (Tateuchi Hall - PG 13)

My Fathers Son Motswana RapperDirector: Sanele MakhubuCountry South AfricaLength: 23 minutesGenre: Documentary ShortKabelo is a 20 year old rapper from

Mafikeng, South Africa in search of his heritage. Raised by a single mother and feeling culturally alienated, he journeys to the village of Gaabo Motho to learn about his fathers roots and what it means to be a man. He encounters the music of his ancestors and on his return to the city interprets the music in a hip-hop track that becomes a hit. Sun, Oct. 14 at 1pm (Raey Room General Audience)

PerceptionsDirector: Ifeanyi IlodubaCountry: NigeriaLength: 10 minutes

Genre: Documentary ShortNigeria, a multi-cultural/multi-ethnic society has three major eth-nic groups; Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. These three ethnic groups characterize the three major regions of the country (North, East and West), thus defining the behaviours and outlooks of life of the people. The diversities of these three languages has made it possible for each to have its own perceptions about the others thereby creating a mixture of perceptions that is very important in defining the picture and story of the Nigerian nationhood and the struggle of its people to understand their differences for better co-existence and respect for each other. Through talking heads, the filmmaker pushes us to re-examine our perceptions and mis-conceptions of each other. Sun, Oct. 14 at 11am (Raey Room - General Audience)

River of Stones the story of KlipriverDirector: Wiseman MabuselaCountry: South AfricaLength: 13:30 minutesGenre: Documentary Short

A melting pot of faiths and cultures; to some it is life and to oth-ers destruction. The sometimes calming rapids of the Klipriver or KK as it is affectionately known have become a faithful friend to many. But all of this is under enormous threat! Beneath its enchanting facade lies a dirty and inconvenient truth. River of Stones is an intimate story of the Klipriver in South Africa told by those who use it and live around it. It is, however, a story of all our rivers and water sources and why we should do all we can to protect and preserve our planets most important resource - water. Sun, Oct. 14 at 1pm (Raey Room - General Audience)

SabriyaDirector: Abderrahmane SissakoCountry: TunisiaLength: 26 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortThis film explores the impact of the

modern world on the traditional male society of the Maghreb. It is a film about men who prefer to live life as an abstract game and the free-spirited woman who changes everything. Said and Youssef have fulfilled a life-long dream by opening a chess bar in the middle of the desert. They sit around drinking palm wine, playing board games and composing love poetry to imaginary women. All this changes with the arrival of Sarah, a sexually liber-ated, uninhibited mtisse who easily lures Youssef into an affair. Sat, Oct. 13 at 3pm (Tateuchi Hall - PG 13)

Siku za Juma - Pleased to Meat you!Director: Robert Odhiambo OchiengCountry: KenyaLength: 5 minutesGenre: Animation ShortIn this funny satire, animator Odhia-

mbo presents the story of Juma, a simple man who just wants to buy his daily meat from his local butcher, go home and have a nice dinner. However, a little problem comes up: There is a puppy that wants a taste of Jumas treasured meat and so he follows Juma on his way home. Juma not willing to share his precious meat with a puppy figures out a way to out maneuver the dog but a bigger problem is waiting around for him around the corner. Sat, Oct. 13 at 11am (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

20

12

SE

LE

CTIO

NS

Saeed mobilizes over 5,000 volunteers to support children made vulnerable by HIV, AIDS and poverty in 300 African communities each year. Firelight Foundation grants help make that support possible.

Get Involved: Tell others about Firelight

Volunteer in our office

Host a fundraising campaign

Contact our Engagement Associate today www.firelightfoundation.org

* blog.firelightfoundation.org

740 Front Street, Suite 380 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 USA T +1.831.429.8750

OTHER PEOPLE HELPED ME TO BE WHERE I AM TODAY. IT WAS LIKE THEY WERE PLANTING A TREE. I WANT TO DO THE SAME.

- Saeed Wame, Director of Namwera AIDS Coordinating Committee and Firelight grantee partner in Malawi.


So Be ItDirector: Joseph Gai Ramaka,Country: SenegalLength: 26 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortBased on a play by Wol Soyinka, The

Strong Breed, So Be It offers an emotionally searing allegory of present-day Africas bloody internecine convulsions. Michael, an idealistic foreign doctor, had little success bringing the promises of modernity to a dusty village of the damned in the Sahel. His lover, Sunma, a teacher and native of the place, has no illusions about the village, believing it to be a world which will cannibal-ize its children (according to a Wolof incantation) in a futile effort to compensate for human powerlessness. She simply wants to live and love - and leave before the killing starts. But Michael is transfixed; he stays and tries, ineffectively, to prevent the villagers from sacrificing a mentally disturbed mute boy he has befriended. Sat, Oct. 13 at 6:30pm (Raey Room - Mature Audience)

Sophias HomecomingDirector: Richard PakleppaCountry: NamibiaLength: 26 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortSophias Homecoming reminds us that

the devastating personal effects of the massive social disloca-tions caused by apartheid can never be erased. Sophia, like so many other women, becomes a self-reliant provider for her family, working as a domestic for a white family in Windhoek for 12 years. When her husband Naftali finally finds a job, she returns home with the dream of resuming her former family life. She quickly discovers that during her absence her sister Selna has replaced her in the affections of her children - and her husband. Sat, Oct. 13 at 6:30pm (Raey Room - PG 13)

Stories from TahrirDirector: Khaled SayedCountry: EgyptLength: 92 minutesGenre: Documentary FeatureFilmmaker Khaled Sayed introduces

us to dozens of real people on all sides of the issues that face Egypt today, from street activists to political candidates, strug-gling to help Egypt define democracy on its own terms. We hear from supporters of the revolution wounded during the protests, frustrated sofa Party members who miss the stability of the Mubarak regime, religious campaigners who want their party to have a stronger voice in the future of Egypt, and many more people from all walks of life caught in the struggle. This is a bold film that invites us to witness the rebirth of a nation and the price of freedom. Sun, Oct. 14 at 11am (Tateuchi Hall - PG 13)

Strong BonesDirector: Dowelani NenzheleleCountry: South AfricaLength: 10 minutesGenre: Documentary ShortThe beautiful game hasnt gone

unnoticed in the tiny rural village of Bungeni, Limpopo in South Africa. As dedicated soccer players, Joyce and her teammates meet under a tree to practice because the village chief has sold their soccer field to an incoming carwash business. Without access to practice fields, these dedicated players mobilize and get the mayor behind their cause - soccer is good for building strong bones, we do not get sick as we used to. Within a week, the Tshitatshi soccer field plays host to the epic clash between the Maindis and Mbokota Grannies. Yes, Grannies! This league is only for the experienced - it is a grannies only soccer league. But dont let their age fool you - they mean business! Sat, Oct. 13 at 1pm (Tateuchi Hall)

The Gaze of the StarsDirector: Joo Ribeiro Country: MozambiqueLength: 26 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortAt the center of this story is a woman

felt only by her absence - in other words, a dream of a woman, perhaps symbolic of the lost dream for a post-independence Mozambique. Salomo owns a bar in Maputo, still down at the heels after the civil war, where the local machos drink and talk of soccer and women. He rather gruffly takes care of his adopted nephew Betinho, a war orphan. His wife Julia had left him a few years ago because he refused to let her work or study outside the house. Instead, she married Saide, the man next door. Noth-ing has been heard of her for months, but the sound of constant wife-beating comes from inside Saides house. When Salomo finally decides to put a stop to the beatings, he discovers that Ju-lia left Saide long ago because he blamed her for his own sterility. The mock beatings were Saides pathetic way of convincing the world he still had a wife. Sat, Oct. 13 at 3pm (Tateuchi Hall - PG 13)

The UgandanDirector: Patrick SekyayaCountry: UgandaLength: 85 minutesGenre: Narrative featureThe Ugandan is a feature film about

Raman, an Indian survivor of Idi Amins regime, who is black-mailed by his Ugandan girl friend (Becky) when he claims his fathers property. Drama unfolds when his daughter falls in love with Beckys brother. In this riveting story of lies, love and xenophobia, we get a peak into the legacy of Idi Amins Uganda and the challenges of inter-racial relationships in a country where polarization has created a deep mistrust on all sides. Sun, Oct. 14 at 4pm (Tateuchi Hall - PG 13)

TiimDirector: Berni GoldblatCountry: Burkina FasoLength: 31 minutesGenre: Documentary ShortTiim is a documentary on street-sold

medicines. It explores the attitudes of providers and consumers in the Ouahigouya area of Burkina Faso. Their frank and spon-taneous reactions highlight the complexity of the issue; their motivation, beliefs and questions provide a revealing insight into existing sales techniques, the success of street vendors, the popularity of doping substances, the lack of knowledge of ge-neric drugs. Sat, Oct. 13 at 8pm (Raey Room - General Audience)

TOINDEPI - Where are headed? Director: Tenford ChitananaCountry: ZimbabweLength: 16 minutesGenre: Documentary ShortThis film focuses on the daily struggles

of young Zimbabweans caught up in a brutal socio-economic en-vironment. Life in Zimbabwe is seen through the eyes and efforts of More Blessing, a young man living in a slum in the northern part of Harare, whose residents have been victims of forced eviction campaigns. More Blessings reflections are augmented by voices and sneak peaks into the lives of two other young people in the same community. Regardless of their hard work and life ambitions, the system denies them opportunity: drain-ing their energy and leaving them disenfranchised. TOINDEPI provides insight into the lives, thoughts and challenges of youth who are denied their right to civic participation and elevates their voices as they endeavor to transform a harsh status quo into a brighter future. It attempts to answer the question: Where are we headed? Sun, Oct. 14 at 3pm (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

20

12

SE

LE

CTIO

NS


Waiting LinesDirector: Daniel OriahiCountry: NigeriaLength: 6 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortThe level of unemployment in Nigeria

is alarming. Waiting Lines gives us a slice in the day of a young man, armed with his qualifications is determined to find a job if only he can get through the very long waiting lines. Sat, Oct. 13 at 4pm (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

Wheels on the BusDirector: Tongai FurusaCountry: ZimbabweLength: 15 minutesGenre: Documentary ShortWheels on the Bus is a very revealing

documentary about what many would called unsafe or not-road worthy commercial buses that transport people and goods for hundreds of miles from Zimbabwe to South Africa. Through talking heads and beautifully shot cinema verite-style footage, the filmmaker succeeds in breathing life into these dilapidated buses and helps us see them as not just buses but the heart beat of the people. Sun, Oct. 14 at 3pm (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

Yarawits Digis (The Animal PartyDirector: Ezra WubeCountry: EthiopiaLength: 10 minutesGenre: Animated ShortYarawit Digis (The Animal Party) is an

animated film based on Ethiopian folklore. In the story, all the ani-mals of the world get together for a party, but when the drink runs out the big question arises Who will go get more? Sat, Oct. 13 at 1pm (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

Zebu and the Photo FishDirector: Zipporah NyaruriCountry: KenyaLength: 12 minutesGenre: Narrative ShortIn a close-knit fishing village, Zebu, a

witty ten-year old is forced to grow up and shoulder the responsi-bility of getting his family out of debt. Sun, Oct. 14 at 1pm (Raey Room - General Audience)

!Xun ElectronicaDirector: Paul ZisweCountry: South AfricaLength: 23 minutesGenre: Documentary ShortWhen war or natural hazards displace

a people, those that survive carry their memories with them and become living encyclopedia of the old culture, music and tradi-tion. The San people of Angola were relocated to Platfontein, South Africa a few decades ago. Today, the population from the home country is aging and the !Xun and Khwe language and way of life face extinction. Are the young people readily influenced by the hip-hop culture mentally equipped to carry the culture to the next generation? In this riveting documentary, young filmmaker Paul Ziswe invites us to witness culture preservation first-hand. We follow world music legend Pops Mohamed as he travels to the Northern Cape region of South Africa to visit with the San Community of Platfontein. He meets young talented hip-hop art-ists and the elders who carry the !Xun and Khwe culture in songs. Sat, Oct. 13 at 6:30pm (Tateuchi Hall - General Audience)

20

12

SE

LE

CTIO

NS

Say it to her with style

We can help 510 356 3944

Wedding Proposals Happy Birthday wishes Congratulatory

Messages Wedding Anniversaries Social Events Ball game advertising Anytime, Anywhere Aerial Advertising will get you noticed. Rates? Its a guarantee, you wont believe it CALL TODAY For more info, visit us at www.aerialbeacon.com [Date]


Vision ADN vision is a community of Africans and friends of Africa across the globe connected by a common purpose, the greater good of the African continent. By harnessing the intellectual, financial, philanthropic, and entrepreneurial capacity of this network, we can strengthen and create capacity at the grassroots level. Mission Our mission is to inform and engage Africans in the Diaspora in order to facilitate direct collaboration with social entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders across the continent. As an online and offline social network platform, ADN will promote dialogue and action on social and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. Value ADN provides a safe and trusted communication and knowledge sharing platform through which Africans and friends of African can enhance their impact on the continent and grow professionally and personally. Indigenous Africans from around the world will benefit through collaboration with other individuals and groups interested in Africas future. The ADN Team Almaz Negash founder Daniel Hartz founding board Savannah Thompson research and development Brittan Stockert global relationship development Entrepreneurship and Innovation Advisors Chike Nwoffiah, Founder, Silicon Valley Africa Film Festival David Jeromin Golden Mean Capital Partners Heather Fleming Catapult Design Howard Weinstein Solar Ear Jeannine Athas Water Bridge Capital Dr. Jim Kaubisch Melt Water Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Prof. Mammo Muchie Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, S.A. Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro Global Fund for Women Dr. Ravishankar Gundlapalli Parjanya Prof. Teresia Hinga Santa Clara University

African Diaspora Network

Inform

Engage

Act

I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby i ts leaders combine in their ef forts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wi ldernesses . Nelson Mandela A f r ic an D i a sp or a Net wor k PO Bo x 20 3 7 Sa nta C l a r a , CA 9 5 055 U SA a lma z@a fr ic a nd i aspor a ne twor k .or g www. af r i c and i a sp or ane two rk .o rg Twi t t e r : Af r i c anD Netw or k Fa ceb ook : Af r i c an Dia spor aNe two rk


Thanks to:Mayor Mike Kasperzak (City of Mountain View) | Assemblymember Paul Fong (22nd District)

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (14th District) | Marlene Bjornsrud | Hugh Burroughs | Christine CaturaAlicia Crank | Robin Donovan | Moy Eng | Oluchi Enuha | Anthony Feurtado | Oreka Godis | Anil Gupta

Jessica Hope | Patty Juanes | Tunde Kelani | Salif Kone | Mandjou Kone | Georgina Onuoha | Tom LawrencePeter Laugharn | Story Mardres | Rev. Jeff Moore | Almaz Negash | Jason Njoku | Christine PadillaMaryanna Quigless | Garrett Ritter | Joshua Russell | Wanda Sabir | Walter Turner | Wanda Wong

Shelley Wolfe | Yeshica Weerasekera

Presenting Sponsor: iROKO Partners

Sponsors: KMVT Channel 15 | Firelight Foundation

LIVE SV | Wild Palms Hotel | Hilton Garden InnSafeway Mountain View | Arts Council Silicon Valley | Rhesus Media GroupSan Jose / Silicon Valley NAACP | Eritrean Community Santa Clara County

Community Partners:Media For Development International | Bay Area Womens Sports Initiative (BAWSI)

Maisha Film Lab | Maafa SF Bay Area | Constituency For Africa | Glass House CommunicationsAfrica Today on KPFA 94.1 FM | Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking | UnSung Diva! Production

International Development Exchange (IDEX) | Anambra State Cultual Association of Nigeria in Sacramento

Presenting Organizations:Oriki Theater is a Mountain View based 501(c)3 nonprofit performing arts company dedicated to the promotion of Africas culture and heritage through a unique combination

of dance, drama, music, folk stories, chants and the DRUM. From outreach programs in schools to theatrical productions and workshops, Oriki brings to our community a shared experience of Africa, its people and their way of life. www.oriki.org

The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) at Finn Center, a nonprofit arts education center founded in 1968, is com-mitted to providing Arts for All, regardless of age, level, background or economic means. Annually, the school reaches more than 40,000 people throughout the Silicon Valley region through: music, art and new media classes and camps; private lessons; in-school programs; free concerts; lectures; exhibitions; and community outreach events. The schools Financial Aid Program awards over $200,000 annually in tuition aid and program subsidies to youth and low-income families. CSMA is the largest non-profit provider of arts education programs in the region and among the top 10 schools of its kind in the United States. www.arts4all.org

SVAFF 2012 - Souvenir Program

Documents

Transcript of SVAFF 2012 - Souvenir Program