The Africa On Screen Film Festival kicks off on Saturday and runs until May 31 at Museum Africa in Newtown.
It's a touring festival concept that aims to provide a platform to showcase classic and new African films. Last year the festival was held in SA and Kenya and this year there are plans to include screenings in Nigeria as well.
An African film in this case is defined as a film made by an African (including those with ancestry from the diaspora) or a film made in Africa.
The festival also plays host to a number of directors and it has invited Ghana's leading director, Emmanuel Apea Jr, and Benin's up-and-coming director, Sylvestre Amoussou, to attend.
Amoussou's movie, Africa Paradise, his directorial debut, is one of the highlighted films.
It is set in the future, when Europe has suffered an acute economic and political crisis that leads to severe underdevelopment, while on the other hand, Africa has gone through a major economic and social boom. It deals with immigration and racial conflict.
How did you come up with the theme for the movie?
I have had this idea for a while, as I lived in France for about 20 years and have seen the problems with immigration return again and again. I have the impression that foreigners are more or less demonised here. I, therefore, had the idea to place Europeans in the situation so that they could experience the way we live.
It's firstly a message about tolerance. But there is a second meaning - that it is necessary for Africans to unite to take their destiny into their own hands.
Do you think what happens in the film could actually happen in the future?
In effect, I think this can be achieved if the African states unify because, don't forget, that we possess 40% of the resources (or wealth) in the world . Just look at China today. So, it's clear that my film is about what one human should not do to another human.
If Africans, unite they can become stronger and more powerful, equals and partners, and not a weak, disadvantaged continent.
What made you direct?
I became a director to be the spokesperson for those without a voice, to express my ideas and as a result of the lack of interesting roles for black actors in France.
(Amoussou is also an actor).
How big is the film industry in Benin?
It is non-existent.
The state has not supported its young cinematographers.
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