“Bold and visionary storytellers” from several Caribbean countries will be in the spotlight from Nov. 28 until Dec. 14 when the 33rd annual New York African Diaspora International Film Festival returns to the Big Apple.
Throughout its three decades, NYADIFF has annually showcased the excellence of cultural and creative filmmakers, as well as people of color, from around the world.
The festival uses film to clarify, enlighten, and entertain. Now, with anticipation, this season arrives with a wide range of both old and new submissions.
While most films usually come from the United States, this season’s main focus is on Caribbean filmmakers. They represent Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Curacao, Bonaire, Martinique, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Trinidad & Tobago.
The festival will feature films on Afro-Latino, creole-speaking, English-language, indigenous, and other culturally diverse topics. This broad selection offers much more than just travelogues about the region.
This year’s showcase will feature documentaries, both long and short films, as well as several premieres in competition. These will take center stage during the event.
First-time presentations include: “Village Keeper” (Jamaica), “Sugar Island” (Dominican Republic/Haiti), and “Fanon” (Guadeloupe/TT).
“These films illuminate voices often silenced — indigenous, Afro-descendants and immigrants — reminding us that the story and history of the Americas is complex and multilayered,” Dr. Reinaldo Barroso Spech, co-director of ADIFF said.
“These films illuminate voices often silenced — indigenous, Afro-descendants and immigrants — reminding us that the story and history of the Americas is complex and multilayered,” Dr. Reinaldo Barroso Spech, co-director of ADIFF said.
Fourteen films from 14 countries are slated for screenings at Cinema Village, Symphony Space, the Thalia Theater, the Forum, Columbia Teachers College, and the Lenfest Center for the Arts.
Reputed for featuring films that “challenge stereotypes, celebrate resilience and shine a light on urgent social issues,” a bonus has always included dialogue with the filmmakers.
The after-screening experience enables patrons to delve into the intricacies of topics, stereotypes, and perceptions often depicted on screen.
Additionally, a virtual festival provides an opportunity for those unable to attend in-person visits to New York venues.
Reportedly, one dozen films from the festival will be streamed to audiences worldwide.
And while films by Caribbean diasporans will dominate the festival, the continent of Africa will be represented with submissions from Morocco, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Senegal, Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Malawi, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, and Egypt.
One of this year’s highlights is a 90-minute documentary executively produced by Barack and Michelle Obama.
Titled “The Eyes of Ghana,” their presentation focuses on post-colonial rule in the former Gold Coast.
Titled “The Eyes of Ghana,” their presentation focuses on post-colonial rule in the former Gold Coast.
Entries from South America also include long and short features from Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Uruguay.
True to the mission of the presenters, the United Kingdom, Serbia, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France, Norway, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands add European perspectives from that continent.
And Asia spans the globe with diasporan viewpoints from India and Indonesia.
For more information, log onto nyadiff.org
For more information, log onto nyadiff.org
Pan-jazz tribute to Kitch & Sparrow
No kidding, the revered royalties of calypso, Lord Kitchener and the Mighty Sparrow will be regaled by the Garvin Blake Quartet on Nov. 29.
For real.
It’s true.
For real.
It’s true.
Beginning at 7 p.m., compositions from the two legendary ambassadors of calypso will provide revelry at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.
Just ask panman Blake, piano man Frankie McIntosh, bassist Calvin Jones or drummer Chris Eddleton; any of the four will be able to expound on the purpose of an evening devoted to Aldwyn Roberts, aka Lord Kitchener, aka Kitch and Slinger Francisco aka The Mighty Sparrow.
Undoubtedly, the talented musicians will pay tribute to the “the Grand Master of Calypso” with a pan jazz salute, as well as a planned musical tribute to the 90-year-old Grenada-born “Calypso King of the World.”Catch You On the Inside!
