The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) in Mountain View hosts the 6th Annual Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF) from Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18. The annual showcase includes a mix of feature films, shorts, documentaries and animations from seasoned and emerging filmmakers in Africa. Presented by Oriki Theater, in partnership with CSMA, the Silicon Valley African Film Festival is the only film festival in California that focuses exclusively on films made by African filmmakers and provides audiences with a lens to the real Africa. The mission of the Festival is to promote an understanding and appreciation of Africa and Africans through moving images.
The SVAFF celebrates its sixth anniversary with a brilliant line-up of 40 films from 17 African countries, all sharing the true stories, hopes and dreams of Africa. This year’s Opening Night Feature Film is L’oeil Du Cyclone (“Eye of the Storm”), directed by Sékou Traoré from Burkina Faso. L’oeil Du Cyclone was recently awarded best feature film, best actress and best actor at FESPACO, Africa’s biggest film festival. The film makes its North American debut at SVAFF and will be co-presented by the Consulate General of France in San Francisco. Other notable selections include Portrait of a Lone Farmer (Nigeria), Between Brackets (Algeria), Umutoma (Rwanda), Eighteam (Zambia) and Zola (Zimbabwe).
“I am excited about the quality of films, the range of genres and the diversity of voices represented in the films we have selected this year,” said Chike C. Nwoffiah, Festival Director of the SVAFF.
“The entire festival weekend has been designed as a showcase and connectivity platform for Africa and Silicon Valley creators, innovators and audiences. SVAFF celebrates creativity as the rich and transformational intersection point of arts, science and technology.”
“CSMA is proud to have partnered with the Silicon Valley African Film Festival for the past six years,” said Vickie Scott Grove, Executive Director of CSMA. “The Festival brings outstanding, note-worthy African films to Silicon Valley and inspires conversations across many constituencies. Everyone who attends will take the spark of creativity home with them.”
Festival highlights include: the Red Carpet Reception and Opening Ceremony on Friday, October 16 and the Closing Awards Ceremony on Sunday, October 18. Daily events include: all-day film screenings on Saturday and Sunday, workshops, panel discussions, filmmaker talks, African food and an African marketplace. All events will be held at Community School of Music and Arts, located at 230 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View.
For a full Silicon Valley African Film Festival schedule, including screening times and film descriptions, visit www.svaff.org, call 415-774-6787 or email [email protected].
EVENT CALENDAR INFORMATION:
WHAT: 6th Annual Silicon Valley African Film Festival
WHERE: Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA)
Finn Center, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View, CA
WHEN: Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18
TICKETS: Three-Day (All Access) Pass: $50.00; Friday (General Admission) Pass: $20.00; Saturday or Sunday (General Admission) Pass: $30.00 (per day)
Purchase tickets at www.svaff.org.
INFO: www.svaff.org; 415-774-6787; www.arts4all.org; 650-917-6800, ext. 305
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Ladybrille Magazine is a media sponsor of Silicon Valley African Film Festival
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
