The Embassy of Brazil is thrilled to announce the inaugural Black Brazilian Film Festival, taking place in Nairobi from November 8 to 12, 2023.
This remarkable festival will feature a curated selection of short and feature films, all directed and produced by Afro-Brazilians.
The event is open to the public, and there will be no entrance fees.
The Black Brazilian Film Festival in Nairobi will encompass seven screening sessions at four different venues across the city:
The Alchemist, the University of Nairobi, Cheche Books, and Unseen Nairobi.
The festivities will kick off at the creative hub, The Alchemist, on November 8, with a screening of the short film “One Seven Seven Zero,” directed by Kenyan guitarist Kato Change, and the feature film “Passinho Dance-Off” by Emilio Domingos.
From November 9 to 11, the University of Nairobi will host a series of screenings of short films, along with the feature films “A Bruddah’s Mind” and “Chico Rei Among Us,” directed by special guest Joyce Prado.
Additionally, an engaging roundtable discussion featuring both Brazilian and Kenyan filmmakers will be held.
Cheche Books will host screenings of short films and the feature film “Black Beetle” by Salim Rollins on November 9.
On Sundays throughout November, the rooftop cinema Unseen Nairobi will offer “Mini Mornings,” a one-hour series of animated short films for children.
This event is a collaborative effort with the Brazilian Association of Black Audiovisual Professionals (APAN).
Its mission is to showcase authentic and realistic stories depicting everyday life in Brazil, a country with the largest black population outside of Africa.
These films, created and performed by talented black Brazilian men and women, provide a diverse and genuine portrayal of a segment of the population that is often overlooked by the film industry.
The Black Brazilian Film Festival aims to promote Afro-Brazilian filmmakers and actors, thereby fostering much-needed black representation within the cinematic space.
As cinema significantly shapes people’s perception of reality, this inclusion serves as a powerful tool to advance economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights for people of African descent, while also combating racism.
The Embassy of Brazil in Nairobi aspires to make this initiative a staple of its cultural calendar.
It serves as a means to strengthen the bonds between Brazil and Kenya and promotes the exchange of ideas and experiences between filmmakers from both countries, paving the way for future collaborations.
The Black Brazilian Film Festival in Nairobi has the potential to break down barriers and enhance our understanding of the connection between Brazil, its people, and its rich African heritage.
