MANYATTA SCREENINGS 5th Edition that is taking place from 26th-29th August 2021 is a biannual short film screening that shows films from Greater Eastern Africa, including 10 of the 15 countries.
The highly accomplished Beza Hailu Lemma offers ADEY ABEBA, a documentary on Ethio-Somali fashion designer Gouled Ahmed. It’s a visually stunning piece. Hiwot Admasu’s masterful storytelling needs no introduction, and her A FOOL GOD is a highlight of the festival: unflinching and tender. Both filmmakers have been recognized at almost every major festival and it’s a real pleasure for us to be able to share their work with audiences in the region.
SIRÉNA is Camille Bessiere-Mithra’s surreal offering, connecting the ties of a young man to his family with the mystical. A must-watch from Réunion. RESIDENCE YLANG YLANG by Hachimiya Ahamada is a beautiful meditation on home from Comoros, and will no doubt resonate with audiences across the region. And audiences of all ages will enjoy Kwame Nyongo’s animated short THE LEGEND OF LWANDA MAGERE, Kenya’s own Iron Man legend. Celebrated photographer Mutua Matheka makes a special appearance in Phil Makini’s A BOY AND A BEARING, a beautiful piece that takes on a celestial tenor as it soars to its conclusion. Indeed the program includes not just national, gender, genre and linguistic diversity, but also many unique artistic visions.
Manyatta Screenings brings this group of talented filmmakers together to connect with audiences and celebrate each other’s work on the home ground, even in the midst of the pandemic. This year Manyatta Screenings will recognize The Most Watched Film. It shall be tallied from Nuella.tv’s data, and announced at the close of the festival.