ANF April 2023 Newsletter

Hello Reader, 

Find out which African city is the most culturally vibrant, join our movement for better representation of Africa and meet our latest narrative champions.

What’s Happening at Africa No Filter

1. We’re ranking the cultural vibrancy of African cities: Have you ever wondered how many cinemas there are in Lagos or theaters in Nairobi or music festivals in Ghana? Have you ever thought about the best city to be in if you are creative or which city has the most enabling environment? The answer is Johannesburg and then Egypt. We know that because we launched the Creative Vibrancy Index for Africa. It ranks how 12 African cities support the arts and artists. The cities were ranked based on availability and access to cultural venues and facilities; cultural policies that support the arts, and the cities’ capacity to promote culture. Read more.

2. We’re helping you master TikTok: There’s no doubt that TikTok has become so much more than just a platform for funny viral videos. It’s a branding tool that turned the likes of Elsa Majimbo into global media sensations and gave ordinary people a voice for causes they are most passionate about. In Marie Mbullu’s case, “Everything Africa'' from pop to politics with a twist: she showcases Africa beyond stereotypes. Her platform, Habari Njema, has more than 650k followers and over 20 million views. It’s also our first partnership with a TikTok creator. Join Africa No Filter Academy Presents: Master TikTok with Marie Mbullu, and find out how you can turn it into a strategic platform for your storytelling. Date: 17 May, 3 PM WAT | 4 PM SAST | 5 PM EAT. Register here.

3. We’ve changed the application process for the ANF Comedy Lab: Public votes are no longer part of the selection process, so you don’t have to upload your skit or promote it on social media to stand a chance of joining the comedy lab. So, fill out this application form  and submit a link to a video of a comedy performance. The video can be a new skit or existing work – as long as it is 45 seconds to 5 minutes long and does not perpetuate stereotypes about Africa. Your video can be published on any digital platform including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok. Please ensure that the link you provide is set to 'public' and is functional.

4. We are launching our #ISeeMe campaign: We are launching the #ISeeMe campaign to challenge stereotypes and demand #BetterRepresentation for Africa across all the platforms that tell our stories - news, social media, film, podcasts, videos and more. We are harnessing the voices of Africans who care about how the world sees Africa. We want to amplify the stories that best represent us and flag the ones that need to do better. Join the movement. See a story that accurately represents the Africa you know? Say so with the #ISeeMe hashtag. See a story that falsely represents your Africa? Flag it with the #ISeeMeNot hashtag and tag @Africanofilter on social media.

Keeping up with ANF Narrative Champions

1. What do you know about Somaliland? For many people, the answer is very little or nothing. Writer and activist Muna Ahmed, known as Mullaaxo, is passionate about Somali culture and society, as well as using her work to promote literacy and advocate for reading, self-development, gender equality, and cultural identity among Somali youth.

2. Open Country magazine was launched in 2020 to provide in-depth context for African literature and film, and it has become the go-to platform for leading and emerging cultural creators and audiences looking for unfiltered and uncensored editorial perspectives. It was founded by Otosirieze Obi-Young.

3. The richness of Nigeria's culture, history and heritage are the inspiration behind ASIRI Magazine, founded by history buff Oludamola Adebowale to archive the country’s arts, culture and memory. A decade later, ASIRI has become the biggest digital repository of Nigerian history and heritage.

Shifting Narratives
- documenting the narrative progress we’re seeing

1. Mauritania doesn’t come to mind when newlyweds think about their honeymoon, but for Croatian couple Kristijan and Andrea Ilicic, the country was the perfect way to celebrate their nuptials. They did it aboard the freight train carrying wagons of iron ore across the Sahara desert. The 700-kilometer trip from the mining town of Zouérat to the Atlantic port of Nouadhibou has a reputation for being one of the most adventurous in Africa.

2. African textiles are taking center stage at the North Carolina Museum of Art, at the Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism In Costume Design  exhibition. The collection features more than 60 pieces from movies like Selma, The Butler, Coming 2 America, Malcolm X, Amistad and Black Panther, the afrocentric movie that turned her into a two-time Oscar award-winning costume designer. The Black Panther collection features pieces like the Basotho blanket, Zulu wedding hat and outfits influenced by the Turkana, Dogon and Himba people of Kenya, Mali and Namibia.

3. The rise and impact of Amapiano on global music continues. The latest stride for the genre was made by Uncle Waffles, the self-taught deejay whose career was launched by a viral video, when she became the first Amapiano artist to perform at Coachella.

That’s it. Remember to follow us on social media at @Africanofilter.

Want to receive this newsletter in French? Subscribe here.