Eastern Africa Takes the Spotlight at iAfrica Film Festival in Groningen

The satellite edition of the iAfrica Film Festival, held on Friday, 17 October in Groningen, was an overwhelming success, with tickets nearly sold out. Jointly hosted by the University of Groningen and Yangambi, the annual event celebrates African cinema and culture while challenging conventional narratives about the African continent.

This year’s festival highlighted Eastern Africa, featuring a rich programme that combined film, music, and cuisine. The evening included a short film, a documentary, a feature film, a live music performance, and a dinner prepared by Fankaasoo.

The hosts Gabriel Dinda Olewe and Annabel Nyole set a lively tone from the very start, getting the audience on their feet within minutes. They welcomed vistors and invited Angélique Mbundu and Dady Kiyangi, founders of the iAfrica Film Festival in The Hague, to discuss the inspiration behind this year’s regional focus.

The screening programme opened with Mulika, a short film exploring the impact of mining in Congo through the story of an Afronaut. Following the screening, Dr. Iva Pesa was interviewed about how her research within the AFREXTRACT projectconnects to the film’s themes. The first half of the evening continued with the thought-provoking documentary The Battle for Laikipia, which delves into land and identity conflicts in Kenya.

After the screenings, guests enjoyed a dinner prepared by Fankaasoo before returning to the room to the enchanting sounds of kora player Jalli Lamin Kuyateh, whose music soon had the audience dancing again.

The festival concluded with the moving feature film Samia, which tells the story of a young Somali woman who dreams of becoming an Olympic runner. Set against the backdrop of conflict and displacement, the film deeply resonated with the visitors, evoking empathy and reflection on the migrant experience.

The night ended with heartfelt thanks from the hosts to everyone who contributed to making the festival possible. With its powerful films, and vibrant performances, the iAfrica Film Festival in Groningen once again proved to be a remarkable celebration of African storytelling and creativity.