About the Festival

Welcome to the African Movie Festival in Manitoba, the premier event celebrating the best of African cinema! Get ready to immerse yourself in a thrilling cinematic experience like no other, as we showcase the finest films from across the African continent, as well as from Africans in Canada, the USA, Europe, and beyond.

Our fall event promises to be a captivating and unforgettable celebration of black culture and artistry. In addition to screening outstanding films, the festival also hosts a symposium featuring keynote speakers and panelists who share their insights on black cinema, its impact on society, and its role in shaping culture.

At the African Movie Festival in Manitoba, you will be transported on a journey of discovery, as you witness the diversity, richness, and creativity of African cinema. From powerful dramas to heartwarming comedies, from thought-provoking documentaries to experimental films, our festival offers a range of genres and styles that will leave you inspired, enlightened, and entertained.

Join us for an unforgettable celebration of African cinema and culture at the African Movie Festival in Manitoba. We can’t wait to share this exciting experience with you!

A Special Thanks to Our Funders and Sponsors

Co-presenters and Festival Partners

Gold Partners

Silver Partners

Media Partners and Host Support

Meet our Team

BEN AKOH

BEN AKOH

Founder/President

Founder/President/Artistic Director and Advisory Committee Chair, Manitoba African Film Festival Inc.
BRENDA AUSTIN-SMITH

BRENDA AUSTIN-SMITH

Adviser

Brenda Austin-Smith, Associate professor, Department of English, Film and Theatre, University of Manitoba.
SHEILA PETTY

SHEILA PETTY

Adviser

Sheila Petty, Ph.D., Professor, media studies, University of Regina.
MBYE CHAM

MBYE CHAM

Adviser

Mbye Cham, Ph.D., Professor, Department of African Studies and Director of the Center for African Studies, Howard University in Washington, D. C.
ONOOKOME OKOME

ONOOKOME OKOME

Adviser

Onookome Okome, Ph.D., Professor, Arts, English and Film Studies, University of Alberta.
SARAH B. BUCHANAN

SARAH B. BUCHANAN

Adviser

Sarah B. Buchanan, Ph.D., Associate professor, University of Minnesota, Morris, USA.
CHIGBO ARTHUR ANYADUBA

CHIGBO ARTHUR ANYADUBA

Adviser

Dr. Chigbo Arthur Anyaduba is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English, The University of Winnipeg.
ÉTIENNE-MARIE LASSI

ÉTIENNE-MARIE LASSI

Adviser

Étienne-Marie Lassi is an  Associate Professor of French and Francophone Literature at the University of Manitoba.
NANDOZIE EKEOCHA

NANDOZIE EKEOCHA

Volunteer

Nandozie Ekeocha, M.Sc., Avid film enthusiast and movie critique, writer and director of various screenplays and short films. Volunteer on Social media, marketing and promotion.
BABATUNDE O. ONIKOYI

BABATUNDE O. ONIKOYI

Volunteer

Babatunde O. Onikoyi is coeditor of The Cinema of Tunde Kelan: Aesthetics, Theatricalities and Visual Performance (Cambridge Scholars, 2021). He currently teaches African Screen Media and Postcolonial Studies in Adeleke University, Nigeria.
ANA CAMILA ESTEVES

ANA CAMILA ESTEVES

Colaborator

Co-founder and curator of Mostra de Cinemas Africanos (Brazil). Specialized in African cinemas, she holds a PhD in the field, and her research interests include curatorship, festivals and streaming platforms.

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