BAMcinématek in Brooklyn, NY, has announced that it will present its FilmAfrica screening series, from Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26, 2014. 

The cinematic sidebar to DanceAfrica, the organizations annual celebration of African and African American dance, music, and culture, as well as BAM’s longest-running performance series, this year’s program, in association with the New York African Film Festival, features films from South Africa, Tunisia, Sudan, and more from the continent, including a special focus on films from Madagascar to complement DanceAfrica 2014’s spotlight on Malagasy music and dance.

Opening the series on Friday, May 23 is Haminiaina Ratovoarivony’s road movie, Legends of Madagascar (2012), which Illuminates Madagascar’s rich diversity and vibrancy, bringing its protagonists face to face with the future of their country as they encounter a host of colorful characters along the way. 

Also screening Friday is Taieb Louhichi’s The Child of the Sun (2013), which follows three young people whose evening of mischief unfolds into something much greater, when they encounter a mysterious figure.

Other highlights of FilmAfrica include César Paes and Marie-Clémence Paes’ Angano, Angano (1989, screening on May 24), a pioneering ethnographic work which features storytellers who recount the founding myths of Malagasy culture for the camera; Judy Kibinge’s Something Necessary (2013, screening on May 25), which tells the tale of a woman who struggles to rebuild her life in Kenya after civil unrest claims the life of her husband and the health of her son; documentary Cassa, Cassa, a short-form dance work (the director Elodie Lefebvre will be at the screening in person); and, closing the series, Raymond Rajaonarivelo’s When the Stars Meet the Sea (1996, screening on May 26), an exploration of human freedom.

For more information, please visit BAM.org/FilmAfrica.

DanceAfrica 2014 marks the 37th anniversary of the festival, and returns with Groupe Bakomanga (Madagascar), AACC Dance & Drum Performance Company (Buffalo), Asase Yaa African-American Dance Theatre (Brooklyn), and BAM/Restoration DanceAfrica Ensemble (Brooklyn). 

Here’s the FilmAfrica schedule of screenings:

Fri, May 23
2, 7pm: Legends of Madagascar
4:30, 9:15pm: The Child of the Sun

Sat, May 24
2, 7pm: Angano, Angano
4:30, 9*pm: Cassa, Cassa + Boneshaker + Faisal Goes West

Sun, May 25
2pm: Felix
4:30, 9pm: Nairobi Half Life + The Promise
7pm: Something Necessary

Mon, May 27
2, 7pm: When the Stars Meet the Sea
4:30, 9pm: Burn it Up Djassa + Fueling Poverty

*Cassa, Cassa director Elodie Lefebvre in person