African Film + Art Festival

For its fourth year, PVD World Music’s Annual African Film and Arts Festival returns to Providence for five days from September 13 to 17, 2023, shining a spotlight on contemporary films and filmmakers from Africa and the African Diaspora. As with every year, the festival will showcase rarely-seen films and highlight important indigenous music histories and traditions in locations around Providence in partnership with local champion organizations. It will also include traditional African music and dance performances and offer opportunities to learn more about the vibrant arts of the African continent. 

OPEN AIR CINEMA AND CULTURAL MUSIC IN THE COMMUNITY 

• Day 1: Opening day on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Brown University’s Watson Institute, Providence, RI 02907,  from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
  • • 5:30 PM: Welcomes begin at 5:30 PM
    • 6:00 PM: Traditional music from Burkina Faso, performed by renowned local Kora musician Yacouba Diabate.
    • 6:30 PM: Our opening feature film, Father’s Day, by distinguished Rwandese filmmaker Kivu Ruhorahoza.
    • 8:30 PM: Q&A session with director Kivu Ruhorahoza in conversation with South African filmmaker Kurt Orderson.

Activities on Day 1 are free, but tickets are required. Donations with ticket signup are highly encouraged.

• Day 2: Thursday, September 14, 2023 at Providence Innovation District Park, 120 Peck St, Providence, RI 02903
  • • 6:00 – 7:00 PM: Music performances by local R&B artist Nanabcool, with roots in Ghana, from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM and local Jazz giant Kweku Aggrey.
    • 7:30 pm: Screening of Supa Modo, an acclaimed family-friendly feature film by Kenyan filmmaker Likarion Wainaina.

Activities on Day 2 are free, but tickets are required. Donations with ticket signup are highly encouraged.

• Day 3:  Friday, September 15, 2023 at Columbus Theater
  • • 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM: Feature film, Xale, by Senegalese filmmaker Moussa Sene Absa.
    • 8:00 PM: Prodigal Son by South African Filmmaker Kurt Orderson
    • 9:00 PM: Suga Brown by Clarke Leigh Phillips from Atlanta. At
    • 9:3o PM: Panel Discussion about path-breaking filmmaking in Africa and in the African diaspora led by local filmmaker Don May, along with Kurt Orderson and Clarke Leigh Philipps.
    • 10:00 PM: After Party at the Courland Club at 10:00 PM, featuring Afronaut Transmission and a special guest, Umamaroon, Rwandese DJ from New York City.

Activities on Day 3 require tickets; prices are sliding from $12 – $25. 

• Day 4: Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island, 393 Broad Street, Providence, RI 02907.
  • • Live music outdoors featuring distinct musical traditions from Africa and the African Diaspora.
    • 2:00 – 8:30 PM: Film screenings
      • 2:00 PM: Children-friendly short-film AL-SIT by Sudanese filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani
      • 3:00 PM: Kmedeus by Cape Verdean filmmaker Nuno Miranda
      • 4:30 PM: No Simple Way Home by acclaimed South Sudanese filmmaker Akuol de Mabior
      • 7:00 PM: Vuta N’Kuvute by Tanzanian filmmaker Amil Shivji
    • 4:00 – 5:00 PM: The Inziragukanya Burundi Ritual Drummers of Providence will celebrate the local African community by honoring the music of the people of Urundi
    • 5:00 – 7:00 PM: Kwaku Kwaakye Obeng Band

Activities on Day 4 are free, but tickets are required. Donations with ticket signup are highly encouraged.

• Day 5: Sunday, September 17, 2023 – Closing Ceremonies – Dexter Park, 31 Dexter St, Providence, RI 02909
  • • 5:00 PM: Local legend Sidy Maiga and the Afromanding
    • 7:00 PM: Baba Commandant and the Mandigo Band
    • 8:00 -10:00 PM: Une Vie En Couleur by Burundian filmmaker Lionel Nishimw & A Little Bit of Chili by Nigerian filmmaker Esosa Ighodaro.

Activities on Day 5 require tickets; prices are sliding from $12. 

​The African film festival seeks to celebrate, educate, and promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding between the diverse communities that call Providence home. We hope you can join us to celebrate, promote, and enrich traditional music, arts, and films from Africa and worldwide so that they may be enjoyed and cherished for future generations!