It's not all doom and gloom when it comes to black cinema in The Netherlands, despite recent posts.

The Africa in the Picture (AITP) Film Festival is an independent film festival and platform for African and African Diaspora Cinema, happening annually in Amsterdam. 

Every year AITP organizes a film festival showcasing a unique selection of films from all over the world.

The 15th edition began today, October 19 and will run through the 28th, with a lineup of more than 80 films, as well as a program of visual arts, workshops, lectures, debates and more.

Alain Gomis' 3rd feature film titled Tey (or Today in English) – photo above – opened the festival. 

I'm late on the announcements and festival highlights, because I'm just learning about it today! But Skimming through the list, I see several films we've covered, and some that we haven't; so I'll take some time to scrub the lineup and return with individual highlights over the next week.

In the meantime, here's a good, in-depth conversation with Heidi Lobato, Director of the Africa In The Picture Film Festival, in which she talks about the structure and highlights of this year's festival, the need for a transnational consciousness to see how continents are connected, and more.

Thanks to Smart Monkey TV for the interview: