AFRICA FILM FEST AUSTRALIA
4-7 SEPTEMBER
Films
I Do Not Come To You By Chance
Dir Ishaya Bako /2023/90 min/ Nigeria/English
Rating PG
Thursday 04 September 8:30 PM
Based on Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani's best seller I Do Not Come to You by Chance, the film tells the story of Kingsley, a first-born son, who struggles to provide for his beloved family when his ailing father's income dwindles.
Fanon
Dir Jean-Claude Flamand-Barny/ 2023/ Algeria/132min /French, Arabic
Rating: Unclassified 18+
Friday 05 September 8:30 PM
Psychiatrist from Martinique Frantz Fanon has just been appointed Chief Medical Officer at the psychiatric hospital in Blida, Algeria.
Very soon, his innovative methods and humanistic approach to treating Algerian patients draw the ire of his colleagues.
Samia
Dir Yasemin Şamdereli/2024/102 min/ Somalia Italy, Germany, Belgium/Arabic, Somali
Rating: Unclassified 15+
Saturday 6 September 9:30 AM
Samia defies taboos by racing through the streets of Mogadishu, in a society where a woman is not supposed to run. Her passion will one day take her to the Olympic Games.
Animations Program: Stories From Motherland
Rating: Unclassified 15+
Saturday 6 September 11:30 AM
Step into the vibrant world of African animation with “Stories from the Motherland’’, a captivating collection of short films that celebrate the depth, diversity, and imagination of the continent.
Sudan, Remember Us
Dir Hind Meddeb /2024/Sudan/76min/ Arabic, English
Rating: Unclassified 15+
Saturday 6 September, 2:00 PM
They are young Sudanese yearning for freedom. This film is a cinematic chorus, the collective portrait of a generation fighting for freedom with their words, poems and chants.
Nteregu
Dir Manuel Loureiro, Roger Mor/ 2025/Guinea-Bissau/ 83 min/ Portuguese/ Creole
Rating: Unclassified 15+
Saturday 6 September, 5:00 PM
Nteregu" is a documentary film about the music of Guinea-Bissau. It film explores the evolution of Guinean music, tracing its roots from traditional instruments and rhythms to its modern forms, including those found in Europe.
The Heart is a Muscle
Dir Imran Hamdulay/2025/ South Africa/ 87 min/ English, Afrikaans
Rating: Unclassified 15+
Saturday 6 September, 7:45 PM
In Cape Town a group of friends are having a barbecue. The day is disrupted when Ryan’s son goes missing. Taking place over one weekend, this sparks a series of incidents which puts a strain on Ryan, his friendships and his marriage.
Nawi: Dear Future Me
Dir Vallentine Chelluge, Apuu Mourine, Kevin Schmutzler/ 2024/Kenya/99 min/English, Swahili
Rating: Unclassified 15+
Sunday 7 September, 11:30 AM
Sold for livestock by her own father, a young girl escapes her impending marriage and embarks on a journey to reclaim her dream of joining high school.
Ngano Shorts: Short Films
Rating: MA 15+
Sunday 7 September, 2 PM
Africa Film Fest Australia presents a program of short films.
AFFA’s short film program has become one of the most anticipated highlights of the festival.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A session.
The Fisherman
Dir Zoey Martinson /2024/105 min/ Ghana/2024
Rating: Unclassified PG
Sunday 7 September, 5 PM
A traditional Ghanaian fisherman forced into retirement teams up with a bougie talking fish and his quirky associates on a whimsical adventure to Accra, chasing their dream of owning a boat while learning to navigate the modern world.
Other Events
Comics Workshop
WHERE: University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)
Dates 30 August and 31 Aug 2025
AFFA presents: Creating New Worlds: Building Worlds, Characters and Stories, a two-day comics and visual storytelling workshop for African Australians aged 16–25.
Opening Night Pre-screening Reception
WHERE: The Rawson, The Rocks
Thursday 04 September, 2025
Opening night, Afrobeats Edition”. Kick off the festival in style with high energy in celebration of African Sound and Style.
Screen Industry Forum
WHERE: Arts & Cultural Exchange, Parramatta
Friday September 5, 2025
In partnership with AFTRS, the forum will facilitate conversations with emerging and established talent working across film, TV, animation and digital platforms.
Closing Night Party
WHERE: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Sunday September 7, 2025
Chale, Let’s Go!!” is our final celebration, the African way: a joyful invitation to dance, connect, and celebrate African creativity in full colour.
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