Afrika Eye - the South West’s biggest celebration of African arts, cinema and culture – returns to Bristol this November with an expanded edition to complement the perennially popular weekend here at Watershed with extra events across the city - including a feast for Nelson Mandela, high energy dance class and a film screening aboard a Bristol Harbour ferry.

The 15th annual festival begins on Sun 4 Nov with a workshop in the foyer of Colston Hall at which South African dance maestro, Professor Lephafa, will teach Pantsula – a dance related to hip hop and body popping which emerged in South Africa’s townships during the apartheid era.

Afrika Eye’s packed weekend here runs from 9 to 11 Nov and opens with the High Commissioner of Mozambique introducing Train of Salt and Sugar, Mozambique’s first ever entry to the Oscars® and based on true stories from a train journey through dangerous but stunning landscapes during Mozambique’s civil war. The film is followed by the opening Friday night Party in the bar with the sounds of Onipa - Afro-fusion at its best!

Other films in the line-up include the Toronto International Film Festival selection Silas, about the Liberian conservation activist Silas Siakor; Rafiki, an Afro-pop backed story of lesbian first love; Five Fingers For Marsellies, a cowboy Western-influenced thriller; the beautiful animation Adama set in World War I; A Season In France about the struggles of asylum seekers and, from Algeria, I Still Hide To Smoke, followed by a Q&A with its female director Rayhana.

Festival director Annie Menter says:

'Afrika Eye’s Festival of arts events, films, conversations and cultural connections, brings the many voices of Africa and the African diaspora to a wider audience. Our programme engages with the life of a continent rich in stories, challenging histories and thriving creative communities. We celebrate their immense contribution to international culture.’

We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be a memorable weekend! See the full programme here.

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