True to its original goals, CAFF 2014 aims to show the best of contemporary African films, increase understanding and awareness of African and black culture in the UK, and build a UK audience in the city of Cambridge for African filmmakers, while offering an important counterbalance to the Western media's stereotyping of Africa. Most screenings are followed by a Q&A, either with the director, or students and academics at the University of Cambridge. In collaboration with The Humanitarian Centre, there is also a panel discussion showcasing various projects aimed at empowering young Africans through film.
This year CAFF has joined forces with other UK African film festivals to put together, for the first time ever, a touring season called 'South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour', marking the 20th anniversary of democracy in the country. Thanks to its participation in this tour, which is a partnership between the South African Department of Arts and Culture and the British Council, CAFF is screening a rich selection of South African titles, from 1994: The Bloody Miracle, a compelling documentary presented by director Meg Rickards, that immerses us in the context of the first democratic elections in South Africa; to the fresh and first ever South African street dance film, Hear Me Move, a vibrant portrayal of contemporary youth that closes the festival and is followed by a live performance by South African singer Joyce Moholoagae.
The festival lineup explores other themes, such as oppression, migration and the arts, and pays tribute to young filmmaker Bakary Diallo, who passed away in the tragic crash of Air Algérie Flight 5017. CAFF also highlights work by women filmmakers, inviting debut Nigerian-British director Destiny Ekaragha to speak at the screening of her comedy Gone Too Far.
Not only a celebration of film, CAFF is hosting a free seminar at the Fitzwilliam Museum on 'Africa & Photography', led by Spanish artist Javier Hirschfeld, whose exhibition 'Más Morena', adapting Spanish art to Senegalese subjects, will be at the Arts Picturehouse for the whole month of November. There will also be a workshop on South African popular songs as well as live music at the opening and closing of the festival.
