The Colours of the Nile International Film Festival (CONIFF) ran this past month, from March 24-31, with 48 films from around the African continent.
The festival screened several projects that S&A has covered, including Chika Anadu‘s B for Boy, Kenneth Gyang‘s Confusion Na Wa, Soussaba Cisse‘s Rumours of War, David Tosh Gitonga‘s Nairobi Half Life, and Judy Kibinge‘s Something Necessary.
From Mali, Rumours of War (Ngunu Ngunu Kan), directed by Soussaba Cisse won the Best Feature Film Award, Best Cinematography and Original Soundtrack at the 2nd annual film festival. The jury praised Rumours for “capturing in a very personal way a complex story applying a very unique cinematographic style and narrative structure,” adding that the film “reflected a situation that is very prevalent on the continent with great passion and urgency.”
The film’s cinematography was praised for capturing the mood and ambiance of the film, which is described as beautiful and surreal. Regarding its original soundtrack, the jury said it “used organic music which echoed beyond the present to the history of the Malian people as a call for promoting peace and unity.”
The festival gave special mentions to Uche Nwadili’s for her performance in B for Boy, and the Tanzanian film Zamora for the film’s captivating camera work.
See the rest of the winners below:
Best Documentary – President Dia by Ousmane William Mbaye (Senegal)
Best Short Film – Adamt, by Zelalem Woldemariam (Ethiopia)
Best Actor – Mugambi Nitenga in NairobuHalf Life (Kenya)
Best Actress – Bertukan Befkadu – Nishan (Ethiopia)
