New York African Film Festival Celebrates 20 Years

WATCH VIDEO: NY African Film Festival Luminaries

The Film Society of Lincoln Center (FSLC) and African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) teamed up once again for the 20th New York African Film Festival (NYAFF), presented under the banner theme LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD: 20 YEARS OF THE NEW YORK AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL.

This year's lineup will pay homage to master Senegalese director, Ousmane Sembène.

Opening Night includes a screening of Guelwaar, Sembène's powerful and politically charged 1990s film that cemented his reputation as the Father of African Cinema and opened the very first NYAFF—and the first generation of African filmmakers, while passing the baton to a new generation of African visual storytellers.

What's The 411's Kizzy Cox interviewed NYAFF Founder Mahen Bonetti; Samba Gadjigo, Professor of French at Mount Holyoke College and Ousmane Sembène's biographer; African Filmmakers Abderrahmane Sissako (Life On Earth and October) and Frances Bodomo (Boneshaker); on the question of Ousmane Sembène's impact on African filmmaking. The legendary dancer, choreographer, actress, and mentor, Carmen de Lavallade spoke about the importance of the New York African Film Festival as it takes us beyond the familiar and exposes us to African culture through its filmmakers.