ANF Newsletter August 2024

Hello

Find out how we’re using AI to empower storytellers, decolonize African beauty through short films and meet Time magazine’s Kid of the Year — a scientist born in Ethiopia.

What’s Happening at Africa No Filter

1. We are using Artificial Intelligence to get better African stories: We’re taking our commitment to empowering storytellers with tools to tell African stories better to the next level with Artificial Intelligence. Imagine an AI-powered learning tool that analyzes your writing to identify stereotypes and provide actionable feedback to help you tell more impactful stories, all in real-time! Stay tuned for the launch of this groundbreaking tool by connecting with us @Africanofilter on all platforms.

 2. We discussed the role of global media in perpetuating harmful narratives: Advocacy Lead Abimbola Ogundairo was interviewed by International Journalists’ Network to discuss findings from the Global Media Index for Africa, the impact of negative stereotypes, and why global media needs a mirror the report, why global media needs to go beyond only reporting bad news about Africa. The Global Media Index for Africa, a partnership with the University of Cape Town and The Africa Center in New York, investigates how 20 of the most influential global news outlets cover Africa.

 3. We opined on the impact of stereotypes of tourism in Africa: Destination Africa has it all; picture-perfect beaches, bustling cities, the last remaining of the seven wonders of the ancient world, magical souks and medinas, wildlife, natural beauty and diverse cultures. Yet, the continent’s share of global tourism remains at just 5.11%. Executive Director Moky Makura shared her thoughts after attending the 67th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa and the 2nd UN Tourism Regional Conference on Brand Africa. Read it here.

4. We were out and about: We joined a workshop at the 2024 Intercultural Media Project to share our work of shifting African narratives. We were also at the FESTAC Africa festival where we joined a roundtable discussion with filmmakers to talk about film financing in the continent, copyright and intellectual property and showcased films supported by the Last Mile Film Fund. We attended the second Future of Work convening in Costa Rica, hosted by the Ford Foundation and Culture Hack. The convening brought together workers and their representatives, including garment workers, street vendors, waste pickers, and platform workers, to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations.

 5. We celebrated a win for the New Somalia film: Somalian filmmaker Said Fadhaye won a Telly Award for The New Somalia. The film, inspired by Africa No Filter’s advocacy for better representation for Africa, goes beyond the headlines of conflict and poverty to shine the light on the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. It’s the story of Somalia, told better. Watch it here.

6. We’re helping development communicators to write African stories better: The Ethical Storytelling: How to write about Africa course provides tips and tools to help communicators undo the stereotypes that persist in many of the storytelling outputs of local and international NGOs, donors and foundations working on the continent. The course addresses privilege and bias, highlights the importance of consent and context, and the need for investing time to build relationships with people and projects. Register here. It’s free, digital and only takes four hours to complete.

Keeping up with ANF Narrative Champions

Here's what members of the African Narrative have been upto in August.

1. Why is storytelling important to connecting children to music, art, poetry, and conversations? Tune intoBola Edwards interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise to find out what inspires her passion and why she uses her Grandma Wura character to promote African heritage to children.

2. Here’s a horror film for you: multiple award-winning Ugandan director and producer Francis Matovu has a new feature. In Mistake, what starts out as a great adventure ends up as a nightmare when Lorah runs into Caine. Catch it here.

3. The Pan-African Screenwriter Retreat brought together scriptwriters to discuss the challenges faced by Pan-African scriptwriters, barriers to entry and staying in the industry and to brainstorm on solutions collectively. Join the conversation here.

4. ZIKORA Media has launched a short film competition. The Roots on Reels: Showcasing African Beauty Through Film project is looking for submissions that are six to eight minutes long and shot on smartphone. There’s a $500 prize money and mentorship for winning filmmakers. Deadline: 30 September. More information.

5. Check out ZAM magazine’s feature on photographer Lebohang Kganye, whose work explores personal history and ancestry. Lebohang uses her family’s picture to reconnect with and in a way celebrate the past. She’s the winner of the 2022 Foam Paul Huf Award.

6. Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu was the place to be held between 25 August and 1 September for the Festac Africa Festival. The event is a celebration of Africa and the diaspora through film, music, dance, art, poetry, fashion and more.

7. Here’s what happened when Othmane Zolati went back to a Ghanaian village to visit the family that hosted him eight years ago when he was traveling through the continent with just $80 in his pocket. The journey resulted in the Africa and I documentary. He’s currently on a mission to show the documentary is places that hosted him; a project delivered in partnership with Africa No Filter. Follow the journey on Instagram via @africa_and_i and @zolatiothmane.

Shifting Narratives
- documenting the narrative progress we’re seeing

Heman Bekele was named Time magazine’s 2024 Kid of the Year list. The incredible feat that got him the honor? Inventing a soap that could one day treat and even prevent different types of skin cancer. He was born in Addis Ababa and emigrated to the U.S with his family when he was four years old.

 The Royal Mansour Marrakech in Morocco is the winner of the Art of Hospitality Award. It was awarded by the World’s 50 Best Hotels.

 Kaylia Nemour made history at the Paris Olympics 2024 when she became the first African athlete to win an Olympic gymnastics medal with gold.

Amapiano made it to the Wireless festival, one of the biggest music events in the U.K, when Uncle Waffles became the first Amapiano DJ to headline the event. She’s also the first Black woman and the first Amapiano DJ to headline at Brooklyn Mirage.

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

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