„African Metropolis“ is a series of short fiction films from six African cities, a partnership towards new African cinema. The films tell urban tales about life in major African metropolises – Abidjan, Cairo, Dakar, Johannesburg, Lagos and Nairobi – home to more than 50 percent of the continent’s total population.

In July 2013, „African Metropolis“ had its world premiere at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), one of the most important film industry events on the continent. Participation at other international festivals and screenings in the six African film locations will follow.

Two years of  preparation lead up to the premieres: Based on 40 scripts submitted, the film makers were chosen from the six cities. A mentoring program and workshops ensued, which started off at the Durban Talent Campus in July 2012.

Rasha Salti, Head of international programming at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): „If the African Metropolis Short Film Project is to be continued (…) an intriguing testimony of contemporary film making may emerge – a testimony of a continent that has served as a projection screen for rigid and superficial clichés for too long.“

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) presents the international premiere of three selected films from the African Metropolis Short Film Project: Berea (South Africa), Homecoming (Kenya) and To Repel Ghosts (Ivory Coast). Directors Vincent Moloi (South Africa) and Jim Chuchu (Kenya) will be present in Toronto

More upcoming screenings and film festival participations will be announced here

The African Metropolis Short Film Project is an initiative of the Goethe-Institut South Africa and South African executive producer Steven Markovitz, with support from Guaranty Trust Bank plc and the Hubert Bals Fund of International Film Festival Rotterdam.

www.goethe.de