We're down to the last few days of the African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) here in NYC. So if you haven't yet attended any screenings, panel discussions, and other events at this year's 20th anniversary celebration for the festival, and you've been meaning to, you have 3 ays left (today, tomorrow and Tuesday).
Today might be of special interest to some of you, as the festival continues its spotlight on Namibian cinema (following screenings of short films from the country earlier this week), with two panel discussions:
– First, at 2pm, "A Conversation with Namibian Filmmakers" with directors whose short films were screened at the festival this year, Joel Haikali, Errol Geingob, Vickson Hangula, Krischka Stoffels, Tim Huebschle, Oshosheni Hiveluah, and moderated by ADIFF Co-Director Diarah N'Daw-Spech.
– Second, at 4pm, "Spotlight on the Namibian Film Industry" with Obed Emvula, Commissioner of the Namibia Film Commission; Vickson Hangula, Filmmaker and Vice-Chairperson of the Namibia Film Commission; and Charles Burnett, who probably doesn't need an intro; the panel will be moderated by Reinaldo B. Spech, ADIFF Co-Director.
And if you're wondering what Charles Burnett's connection to cinema of Namibia is, in 2007, the artist behind Killer of Sheep, directed the epic, 3-hour drama, Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation. The film tells the story of Sam Nujoma, the first president of Namibia, from his political awakening, to his part in the country’s fight for freedom from occupation by South Africa. It covers 60 years of history and was financed entirely by the Namibian government. Carl Lumbly and Danny Glover starred, along with Chrisjan Appollus, Obed Emvula, and Joel Haikali.
It played at a few international film festivals, but quickly disappeared, without much fanfare. It never received a proper theatrical release (in the USA), but is available on home video (Blu-ray, DVD).
Both of today's panels will take place at 179 Grace Dodge Hall, Teachers College, Columbia University (525 West 120th street between Broadway and Amsterdam). Your advised to make sure you bring some form of ID with you, because it's required to enter the building.
By the way, both events are FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, and will close with a catered reception.
For more information on today's goings-on, as well as what there is left of the festival, click HERE, and on the right-hand column you'll find the schedule.
