ANF September 2023 Community Newsletter
![]() Hello Reader, Find out how we used the ANF voice to advocate for telling better stories about Africa, meet our latest Narrative Champions and find out the latest milestones by Afrobeats artists. What’s Happening at Africa No Filter1. We put vibrant, inspiring and positive stories emerging from Africa under the spotlight: When we asked our Twitter community about the stories they encounter about Africa, 30% reported a prevalent focus on negative and concerning stories. This glaring imbalance is why we advocate for storytelling that is balanced and nuanced – we need to tell stories better. There is a treasure trove of fresh and vibrant African stories that remain untold; this is why we need to tell better stories. This is why we’re loving this Teen Vogue’s article ‘54 African Designers You Should Know, and this nuanced story about the recent coup in Gabon. This is what #BetterRepresentation looks like. What stories have you recently come across about Africa? Do you actively seek out and celebrate positive narratives? We invite you to join us in championing #BetterRepresentation for Africa. 2. We unpacked how Africa is represented in the US: Many people still think of Africa as a continent defined by disease, poverty, corruption, poor leadership and conflict. That’s because too many stories about Africa still revolve around stereotypes of a broken, dependent continent that lacks the agency it needs to create change. The Africa No Filter Great Debate brought together journalists, storytellers, donors, executives, NGO decision-makers and other influential minds to unpack the current stereotypical narrative of Africa in the U.S. — from media and pop culture to development communication. The event, our first in the U.S., was held on the sidelines of the United General Assembly in New York. More here. 3. We gave perspective on why stories about Africa need to be told beyond stereotypes: Foreign press coverage continues to contribute to the stereotypical narratives of a broken, dependent continent lacking in agency despite the continent’s progress. In this interview with AFP, ANF executive director Moky Makura talks about the impact of the constant negative narrative that contributes to some of the economic migration from Africa and why stories matter. Read more. 4. We were out and about: With increased demand for African content both in Africa and in the diaspora, now is the moment for Africa to seize the narrative and shape the stories that define us — this is the essence of ANF’s Executive Director Moky Makura discussion at the Africa’s Next Narrative in New York. We also joined over 200 changemakers in Boston to explore Philanthropy’s Role in Changing Narratives in the Global South; and attended theNordic Africa Institute’s Africa's Trade Potential summit in Sweden to discuss how Africa’s trade potential be unlocked and how Swedish development actors, the business sector and academia can be more effective partners on that journey. We were also at Unstoppable Africa, hosted by the Global Africa Business Initiative’s Flagship event to provide a platform for strategic high-level discussions between Heads of State, private sector leaders, investors, heads of multilateral organisations, and leading creative economy personalities. #ANF’s Advocacy and Campaigns Lead Abimbola Ogundairo joined a panel discussion at the IGNITE Conference 2023 in Lagos to unpack how creatives will change Africa. 5. The ANF Academy brought Hollywood to our community: What does it take to write a script so compelling that your film or show gains critical acclaim and international recognition? The Africa No Filter Academy Presents: Becoming a Screenwriter with William Wheeler masterclass offered inspiration, as well as tips and tools to master screenwriting; from finding local stories that connect with global audiences, to networking and building communities to support your craft. William has written screenplays for six produced including Queen of Katwe with Lupita Nyong’o; The Reluctant Fundamentalist with Rizwan Ahmed and The Hoax, with Richard Gere. His credited feature films have earned more than $250,000,000 at the global box office. He also trained and mentored filmmakers. Tune in here. 6. We’re counting down to the ANF Summit: What happens when you bring together a community of more than 100 storytellers, artists and funders who are passionate about shifting stereotypical narratives of Africa? The Africa No Filter is coming to Nairobi on 8 - 10 November. The event will bring together our community of content creators, artists, journalists, funders, and partners as well as arts, culture and media organizations to celebrate the continent's creativity and innovations, as well as the diverse and dynamic stories that are reshaping African narratives beyond stereotypes of poverty, corruption, poor leadership, disease, and conflict. It will feature performances by musicians, poets and standup comics. There will also be panel discussions, one-on-one conversations, and pitching sessions that put storytellers in front of creative experts. At the Creative Cafe, storytellers will have inspiring conversations aimed at boosting the business of their creativity. Keeping up with ANF Narrative Champions ![]() Meet the content creators working on alternative stories about maternal and child health, agricultural productivity, financial inclusion, and gender equality as part of the Gates Foundation/Storify Africa Fellowship: ● Beryl Achieng is producing a four-part video series on revolutionizing African agriculture. ● Mamello Sejake and Andile Msomi’sfour-episode podcast discusses feminist funding, communal care, creative activism and the effects of the criminalization of homosexuality and gender diversity on LBTQ+ people’s mental health. ● 2D animation producer Allen Savai’s four-part series explores how digital technologies are changing access to health across Africa. ● Mamounata Nikièma is working on a series of films about women entrepreneurs in Burkina Faso. ● Scientist and award-winning science communicator Anne Chisa founded The Root of The Science podcast to amplify African voices in STEM fields on a global scale. ● Feminist content creator Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile’s video podcasts unpack obstetric violence in South Africa and its impact on mothers and their children. ● Visual artist Ian Njuguna tells stories through illustration, motion design and graphic design. He’s producing a set of illustrations. ● Ndume Green is creating short films about climate change, maternal and child health, financial inclusion and gender equality. ● Tigist Amare and Hawi Bussa of Awaze Media are working on a four-part series that explores maternal and child health, financial inclusion, gender equality and youth empowerment. Shifting Narratives African pop culture keeps shining on the global stage. South African musician Tyla of the viral song Water has debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. It is the most popular music ranking chart in the US, while the 21-year-old Tyla is South Africa's youngest musician to appear on the list. Afrobeats star Rema, who launched his career in 2019, has become the first African artist to reach a billion streams on Spotify with Calm Down, his collaboration with Selena Gomez. There’s a new world marathon champion - complete with a new record. Kenyan long-distance runner Kelvin Kiptum recently became first athlete in the world to run a marathon in less than two hours and one minute when he completed the Chicago marathon in two hours and 35 seconds. There’s a new world record for African artists. Sotheby’s set a new record when artwork by Ethiopian-American artist Julie Mehretu sold for $9.32 million, toppling Marlene Dumas off the top spot for the highest-selling African artist of all time. Mehretu and Dumas are the only African-born artists to have achieved over $5 million at auction. That’s it. Remember to follow us on social media at @Africanofilter. Want to receive this newsletter in French? Subscribe here. |