The beautiful city of Dallas, the
United States is once again graced with the creative spirit of
African film. The African Film Festival which kicked off yesterday,
Thursday, June 29, would showcase talent from around the globe in its
second annual showing. Created and produced by Kelechi Eke, a
Nigerian born filmmaker now living in North Texas, the African Film
Festival is positioning itself to be the premier source for cinema
focusing on African experiences and storytelling not only in North
Texas but in the world.
Eke, who lives in Plano saw a void in
the film industry as many non-white filmmakers have seen, but decided
to do something about it. Pooling his resources together and coming
out of pocket for all costs, Eke decided he was going to be the force
that moved the needle in the direction of expanding African presence
within the movie world.
In an interview with Dallas Weekly, Eke
narrated the idea behind the festival. “I started the African Film
Festival to give more presence and awareness of motion pictures to
non-African communities. Our work is very popular amongst ourselves,
and to an extent the international level especially the Caribbean.”
Kelechi says, “We also wanted a way for Americans who desire to
watch African films.” Kelechi knows the power of the American
media, and understands that opening up a market that is virtually
untapped is the best way to begin the popularizing of African based
films.
Knowing the struggle of the average
filmmaker and more so the African filmmaker, Eke devised a small base
and began to seek out media support locally to aid in his efforts. He
was successful in his first attempts to produce the film festival,
but saw immediately where he could improve and expand. The African
Film Festival is a “For Us By Us” type model according to Eke. He
stands as an advocate for his colleagues and knowing the struggle
first hand, he is creative in his approach to presenting his
festival.
“It’s like being a coach after
being a player. You understand first hand what the players go
through. It’s a little different [you know]. You understand that
emotional and psychological toll this can take on a person. That’s
what sets the African Film Festival apart. I understand what is
lacking from a filmmaker perspective.”
This year he created the celebration of
the trailer of the day. Of the 40 films presented each had a day of
celebration and promotion, in which the synopsis and trailer were
highlighted and pushed out to the community creating buzz for not
only the individual films, but setting the festival apart by
promoting each film with the same enthusiasm and reverence. Getting
the word out via social media and mainstream media, Eke is not one to
limit himself to any one mindset on how he and the festival can
continue to grow and become more successful.
“No one seems to have that kind of
time, but I will make that time. I know the importance of promoting
an artist’s work. That’s what sets us apart. “ Kelechi
explains.
One unique aspect of the African Film
Festival is its inclusive attitude. Filmmakers from around the world
who may not be continental African born, but wish to honor African
culture or tell a story unique to Africa are welcome to present and
discuss their works. Kelechi came to realize how powerful this
community is and could become by watching some of the well-made films
by non-African filmmakers and seeing an opportunity to show the
respect that can be shown to African films by non-African people
throughout the world.
“You’d be surprised to know that
some of our films were made by non-Africans. While we do support and
encourage African filmmakers, there are American filmmakers, Spanish,
Indian, and others that go into Africa and help us tell our stories.
Such films are also well celebrated at the African film Festival.
That is quite a unique feature we have.” Kelechi says very proudly.
Although the African Film Festival is a
wonderful event, it is not without its challenges. As Kelechi says
while chuckling slightly, “Budget, Budget, Budget…”. Kelechi
himself provides funding for the festival. He has secured some
sponsorship and partnerships but he is not delusional about the costs
and expenses of not only making a film, but producing a film
festival.
“If you give the average African
filmmaker just a fraction of the budget of a Hollywood [movie], you
can get very high quality films. If you give the average Hollywood
budget to African filmmakers you can make about eight high level
films.” Kelechi says very matter-of-factly. He confidently speaks
about the talent level of African filmmakers and keeps in mind the
other issues facing cinema creatives, “Piracy is a big problem,”
he continues, “When filmmakers despite all the financial struggles
manage to get their work out there, there still is no safe way to
protect their work. Unlike here in the U.S., which has royalties,
they have distribution companies buy your film and pay you royalties.
With African films they usually buy your film out right, and the
filmmakers are happy just to sell it because of the lack of finances.
Being able to establish this type of a platform, which will
potentially invite distributers who will see great need for these
films and acquire them from the filmmakers and give them lifetime
royalties, like it is done in [this country]. We want to establish
that mindset, for them to know it’s actually possible.”
Kelechi created the African Film
Festival to show the quality of work that is coming out of Africa. In
order to show and prove that sponsorship of such an event is worth
it, he is executing his vision with vigor and integrity. When you see
what is happening at the African Film Festival it appears as if a
team of people are working to make it work. It’s really just one.
Kelechi understands that African ingenuity is the backbone of the
African filmmakers and the lifeblood of the African Film Festival.
“The African Film Festival I want to
become is that ‘Go-to’ festival that is the big Oscar qualifying
festival for African films. We want to set it apart, and position it
to where it can gain the confidence of the seasoned filmmaker. And in
our second year I think we are on that path.” Kelechi explains.
This year he even secured a film about the judiciary system in Uganda
produced by Angela Basset.
The African Film Festival will be screening
40 films from June 30 - July 3, 2017.
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