'Quartiers Lointains' Connects Emerging Film Talents
The retrospective will feature shorts and features from the organization's seven seasons, showing at Nairobi's Unseen Cinema from now until March 2024.
NAIROBI, Kenya - The pan-African film organization "Quartiers Lointains" is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year by exhibiting a retrospective of films from emerging talents in France and Africa, writes Winston Mwale.
"Our goal is to showcase new voices and perspectives," said founder Claire Diao.
"Films can reveal our common humanity across borders."
The retrospective will feature shorts and features from the organization's seven seasons, showing at Nairobi's Unseen Cinema from now until March 2024.
Internationally renowned filmmakers like Alice Diop and Melvin Van Peebles have served as "Quartiers Lointains" ambassadors in the past. This season highlights new talents.
"These young directors capture unique stories," Diao said. "Their fresh vision inspires me."
The season two films airing Dec. 13 center on family, representing diverse perspectives from South Africa, Burkina Faso, Mozambique and Tunisia.
Season one on Dec. 20 focuses on identity, challenging stereotypes about filmmaking in France and Africa.
Feature presentations include "Red Card" (Dec. 1-19), about female basketball players in the Comoros. "Omen" (January), shot in Congo, is Belgium's entry for the 2024 Oscars.
"The Sleeping Negro" (February) honors Black History Month. And Senegal's Oscar submission "Xalé" shows in March.
Diao, a French-Burkinabé film critic, also founded the distribution company Sudu Connexion to bring more African films to global audiences.
"We showcase the diversity of African stories," Diao said. "Now we want to release these films in Africa as well."