London International Pan-African Film Festival (London PAFF 2024) showcasing outstanding Pan-African films produced in Africa and the Diaspora (Europe, Caribbean countries, USA, Latina America), and from all over the world, at the West Norwood Picturehouse from 18 to 25 October 2024. See today’s line-up below!
16h40 GEORGE OLE SANANGA
Bryan Ngugi, Documentary Short Film (Kenya), 2023, 4 min
George, a Maasai man, defied his father's wishes to pursue education. Despite initial resistance, he excelled in school, securing a job that transformed his family's life. Witnessing his success, his father embraced the value of education. Now, George is determined to ensure his children receive the same opportunities he did.
16h45 BECOMING BLACK LAWYERS + Panel
Evangeline Mitchell, Documentary Short Film (USA), 2021, 25 min
When these five Black lawyers set out on their journeys to receive a professional legal education, they did not realize that they would have to struggle against additional battles even more challenging than the rigors of learning the law in a hypercompetitive environment. They discover the contradictions of studying in an institution that idealistically represents "justice" for all.
17h25 NO, YOU'RE AMAZING
Kate Pinchuck, Narrative Short Film (South Africa), 2023, 4 min
A girls' night turns into a bar fight when two women refuse to accept each other's compliments.
17h30 PASTOR AND PASTOR + Q&A
Susan Jimah, Narrative Short Film (Nigeria), 2023, 40 min
A Nigerian Pastor couple's seemingly perfect life and ministry come under close scrutiny when a girl is found dead in a hotel room after meeting both pastors at different hours of the same day. Investigations begin to unravel life shattering secrets but all is not as it seems because the truth is more twisted than the eyes can truly. A truth with a ministry at stake and only one pastor is gonna be left standing.
18h30 THE WAITING SONG
Russell Oru, Narrative Short Film (Nigeria), 2024, 13 min
The waiting song is Echioma’s journey to finding her true self in an imperfect world. Raped as a thirteen year old, Echioma gets into prostitution. A change of heart causes her client to kill her but during her near death experience, she learns what it means to truly live. Will she have a chance at life? Only she can decide that.
18h45 LOBOLA, A BRIDE'S TRUE PRICE?
Charles Browne-Cole & Tom Young, Documentary Feature Film (South Africa), 2022, 1h35 min
Couple No.1 is a Zulu couple from Katlehong, Gauteng. The negotiations are almost halted when the groom’s family fails to raise the amount requested by the bride’s family. Couple No. 2 is from Tokoza, Gauteng. The groom is Tsonga and the bride is Sotho. Their cultures collide during the negotiations, making it abundantly clear that they have different understandings of what Lobola is and how it should be conducted. Couple No.3’s wedding took place in Eastern Cape but they're based in Kwa Zulu Natal. The bride is Xhosa and the groom is Zulu. Even though the bride’s father passed away 20 years ago, he was honoured as if he was alive during the proceedings. It is also about honouring the ancestors of those two families. What will her final decision be? Will she turn her back on Lobola or will she embrace it?
20h05 THE BEGINNING OF MY NEW LIFE
Joél Sansi, Narrative Feature Film (Germany), 2023, 1h28min
The story revolves around 17-year- old Londri and his struggles to get ahead in German society.
Between exclusion and the desire to somehow belong, the only way out of his misery seems to be through petty crime to lead. His aunt's support fell on fruitless ground, so that his problems with the state authorities finally culminated in his threatened deportation. When Londri, who is now 23, finally becomes a father, he can finally have a new one start in life.
