ANF October 2024 Newsletter

Hello

Find out how much media stereotypes cost Africa, how we’re uplifting filmmakers who tell better stories about the continent and Tyla’s latest milestone.

What’s Happening at Africa No Filter

1. We’re evolving: Community has been at the heart of our work for three years and now we're giving it a name and a home with the African Narrative Collective; a community of content creators, journalists, creatives as well as arts, culture, media and advocacy organizations whose work reflects Africa as a thriving, diverse continent full of innovative solutions, rich cultures, and growing economies, where challenges are being addressed with local ingenuity. Is this you?  Apply here to join the Collective. 

2. We calculated how much media stereotypes cost Africa: $4.2 billion. This is how much media stereotypes cost Africa annually in interest payments on its loans. To put it in perspective, $4,2 billion could educate over 12 million children, immunise more than 73 million children or provide clean drinking water for two-thirds of Nigeria's population.  You can read our latest report, The Cost of Media Stereotypes to Africa, here. The report’s our way of creating awareness in the media that there are implications to the stories they choose to cover in Africa.

3. We hosted art enthusiasts: Art lovers gathered in London for  a private viewing of the Looking Towards Freedom exhibition. The viewing, a partnership with Strauss and Co’s, was held at Maison Pan. The exhibition features artwork by Irma Stern, Gladys Mgudlandlu, Esther Mahlangu, Kate Gottgens, Georgina Gratrix, Turiya Magadlela, Mary Sibande, Lisa Brice, and Amanda Mushate amongst others.

4. We were in the press:  The Guardian UK interviewed Moky Makura to find out why Africa No Filter is creating awareness about the implications to the stories the media chooses to cover in Africa, and why it’s important to journalists to rethink how they write about African elections; Abimbola Ogundairo was on  Power FM and Channel Africa to unpack the Cost of Media Stereotypes to Africa report,  which was also unpacked by the World Political Hub TikTok page, Blitz in Bangladesh, and the  New Africa Channel amongst other platforms.

5. We have an award for African filmmakers: Nominations are now open for the Narrative Change Film Award, sponsored by Africa No Filter. We’re looking for films that highlight Africa’s resilience, creativity, and opportunity, films that entertain and inspire.  More information and nomination form here.

6. We’re out and about: We joined a webinar hosted by CIPR International, titled complexity and unintended consequences in the world's biggest ever election year, to discuss how the media’s reliance on sensationalist “war room” approaches hinder nuanced election reporting. joined a producers and script writers roundtable conversation at the 20204 NiFSTV summit in London; attended the Collaborative Philanthropy in and to Africa Workshop, by Gates Foundation, in Marrakech, where we also attended the APF Conference. We were also at the 2024 Pop Culture and Social Change Retreat by Counterpoints Arts in Dartington. The gathering brought together over 50 filmmakers, cultural innovators, activists, and philanthropists to foster cross-sector collaborations around climate and migration narratives. We also hosted a panel discussion at the Africa Investigative Journalism Conference, and spoke at the WCC Summit in Dubai and attended the AI Expo Africa, where we showcased the  Africa Bias Buster tool.

Keeping up with ANF Narrative Champions

1. On the day that Lansana Mansaray was born, a tree was planted in his name in his father's Limba village in Sierra Leone. Now an Emmy and Peabody nominated filmmaker, he returns to the village to better understand the essential relationship that the Limba people share with the trees. The resulting film, From God to Man, has been selected by the Africa International Film Festival.

2. Nuno Boaventura Miranda’s first feature film,  Flowers of the Dead, has been selected for development through the Atlas Workshop, the industry and talent-development programme of the Marrakech International Film Festival. 

3. Bogolo Kenewendo made history in Botswana by becoming the young female cabinet minister at the age of 30. Find out how she rose to power and her leadership principles in  The Rise and Rise of Bogolo Kenewendo, the first episode of the Power Panel Podcast that’s produced by Melissa Mbugua. 

4. Uli & Tata’s African Nursery Rhymes follows the magical journey of two Kenyan siblings as they travel across Africa with their ancient giant turaco bird, discovering the continent’s most beloved nursery rhymes.  Watch it here.

5. More Than a Goal is a dynamic documentary that dives into the legacy of a trailblazing Pan-African icon Kwame Nkrumah, and the team behind the film, 54 Kingdoms, is currently raising funds to help bring the story to life. You can watch the trailer and support the fundraising campaign here.

Shifting Narratives
- documenting the narrative progress we’re seeing

The  giant sable antelope, found only in Angola, was on the brink of extension until a team of conservationists led by biologist Vaz Pinto worked to protect the species and boost its numbers. Today, there are 100 sable antelopes and its population is expected to keep growing.

The Self-Deception Trap: Exploring the Economic Dimensions of Charity Dependency within Africa-Europe Relations, by Professor Carlos Lopes, has been called the story of a new Africa that is fundamentally changing the world and a manual for self-respect in Africa. The  free access book highlights the stigmatised narratives about Africa and analyses how they influence a range of key actors and processes. 

The Victoria’s Secret fashion show made a comeback after a six-year break, and the headlining act, Tyla, generated $2 million in media impact value through four social media posts she made about the event.

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

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