OAFF stands for Online African Film Festival. This initiative has been started and designed by the organisation Cinewax. From the 15th November until the 15th December, you can watch African movies online, from 15 different countries.

More about the Online African Film Festival

For more than 3 years, the team of Cinewax has been working hard to make it happen. About 40 volunteers have been mobilised for this festival. It is a real change in the cinema game and also for people interested in African movies.

This organisation is based in Paris and also active in Dakar. They are dedicated to promote and broadcast African films.

Take one minute and think. When is the last time you have watched an African movie?

Indeed, it is not that easy to see them in general. On top of that, people in Africa are often those who don’t see them at all. As you may know, there are fewer and fewer cinemas all over the African continent and not so many people can afford it. It is first How Cinewax is changing the cinema game. The African films selected are accessible even to people leaving in Africa. And those leaving in Europe or even on the American continent will be able to enjoy it as well.

Even though there are more festivals dedicated to African films, there are still under broadcasted. We don’t hear about them. When we hear about them, we often must run to the cinema in order to see them; as they stay only a few days. The OAFF avoids it. Over one month, day and night, these films are going to be available.

Last but not least, the language. It is obvious that not everybody can access other African movies when they are in a language that you don’t speak. The festival is tailored for French, English and Spanish speakers. We can only hope that Portuguese and Arabic versions will come soon.

How to enjoy the OAFF?

You just need to go on the dedicated website and register yourself! The fees are 8 euros for one month.

Moreover, Cinewax is organising some launching evenings in 10 cities. You could enjoy it in Brussels, Montreal, Cali, Abidjan or even San Francisco! It is the occasion to meet some members of Cinewax and to enjoy a live screening of an African movie.

What movies could you expect to see?

The opening of the festival in Paris starts with Kasala, a movie exploring Lagos (Nigeria) with a particular perspective. Some very famous films are also present. Félicité, which has already been honoured several times, is among the selection. On the list, you could also find Rafiki, a movie underlining a love story between two young ladies, in Nairobi.

For its first edition, the OAFF starts with an interesting listing. This ambitious project will certainly make the difference. At least, it has already caught the attention of some generalist media like El Pais, in Spain. We’re curious to see How the audience is going to react to the Online African Film Festival.

Author: Christelle Kamanan

Travel addicted willing to explore the world as much as I can. As a native from Africa, I want to tell the world about all the diversity of its cultures and art.