The Review/ Video/
Ways of Seeing (in) African Cinema Panel
Trends in contemporary African film production, film programming, and popular visual culture are examined through a panel discussion and screening of the short film Mwansa the Great.
The Ways of Seeing (in) African Cinema panel brought together local film scholars and film programmers to discuss issues in contemporary African cinema with the Higher Learning audience of post-secondary students and faculty. Following a screening of Rungano Nyoni's award-winning Mwansa the Great, panelists focused on the short film's relation to current trends in contemporary film production, film programming, and popular visual culture in Africa. The panelists considered contemporary African shorts, as well as recent African feature films. The discussion contemplated works of African fiction that highlight aspects of fantasy and magic realism, as opposed to social realism and documentary. Other topics included: Women filmmakers of Africa and the diaspora, funding and distribution of contemporary African films, and film festivals and organizations dedicated to promoting African films. Ways of Seeing (in) African Cinema was hosted in conjunction with African Phantasms: New African Short Films, programmed at TIFF Bell Lightbox in February 2012. A Q&A session followed the panel discussion. This Higher Learning event was held on February 17, 2012 at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
Panelists include: Lecturer Kass Banning (Cinema Studies Institute, University of Toronto), Assistant Professor Marieme Lo(Women & Gender Studies Institute, University of Toronto), and Dr. Julie MacArthur (programmer of African Phantasms: New African Short Films).
Moderated by Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival.