PRIZES AT THE FESTIVAL

Jury Award Feature Length Film 

Ibrahim Snoopy 
Fatima Remli 
Khalid Shamis 

- donated by Syndikatstiftung

Audience Awards

choices
or the best feature film 

Rex Kino Köln
for the best documentary 

Nikolaus-Gülich-Fonds
for the best short film

Diversity Film Award 

Luzolo Kiangebeni 
Safiya Yon 
Carlos Carima 

- donated by KIOSK- Arts Exchange e. V.

Stands in the festival foyer

The Filmforum foyer will again be transformed into a mini bazaar during the festival. Organisations from African communities, festival partners and initiatives will provide information about their work. There will also be a stand selling literature from african countries.

African specialities at Filmforum

People from African communities will again provide several food and beverage options at all events at Filmforum im Museum Ludwig. The bar at Filmforum will also be serving a range of drinks.

Simultaneous interpretation

Simultaneous interpretation will be offered at all film discussions at Filmforum (from English or French into German). We would like to ask all audience members to collect their receiver with headphones well in advance of the event (an ID card must be left as a deposit).

Refugees will again receive free entry to all film events at this year’s festival. We kindly welcome initiatives to register group visits in advance so we can reserve seats. Please send requests to mail@filminitiativ.de (or enquire at the ticket office at Filmforum).

FILM AS A SPACE FOR EDUCATION: YOUNG PERSPECTIVES AT THE AFRIKA FILM FESTIVAL KÖLN

Educational outreach is a central component of the Afrika Film Festival Köln. Our aim is to offer children and young people nuanced perspectives on Africa and the African diaspora, deepen their understanding of historical contexts, and encourage dialogue on global issues. For this year’s children’s and family programme, the festival presents DAS GEHEIMNIS DER GE­ STOHLENEN MASKE (THE SECRET OF THE STOLEN MASK) by Nancy Mac Granaky-Quaye. This exciting adventure film follows young Johanna and her friends as they investigate a mysterious theft. At the centre of the story is a valuable Makonde mask from ­ Tanzania whose history reaches back to the era of German colonial rule. In an engaging and age-appropriate way, the film combines themes of friendship, courage and solidarity with questions of cultural heritage, colonial history and historical responsibility. In doing so, it offers children and families an accessible introduction to an important topic that is receiving growing attention in Germany.

For school groups, the festival presents the documentary SORRY FOR THE GENOCIDE by Theodora Shandé and Matteo Sant’Unione. The film explores the genocide committed by German colonial forces against the Ovaherero and Nama peoples in present-day Namibia between 1904 and 1908, widely recognised as the first genocide of the twentieth century. At its core is the question of how Germany confronts this chapter of its history today and what role the descendants of those affected play in ongoing debates about recognition, apology and reparations. The documentary offers young audiences an opportunity to engage with Germany’s colonial past, the politics of remembrance, and questions of global responsibility. The school screenings are accompanied by the organization deepower e. V., which explores the film’s themes in greater depth during follow-up workshops. Students are given space to exchange ideas, reflect, and engage in discussion, allowing them to explore the issues raised in the films together. In this way, the programme fosters media literacy, critical thinking, and historical awareness alike.

In addition, the festival will once again host creative workshops at several schools with Congolese filmmakers Nizar Saleh and Paul Shemisi. These encounters offer students the opportunity to engage directly with filmmakers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, providing insights into different lived realities, artistic practices, and cinematic forms of expression. Young participants are encouraged to formulate their own questions, contribute their perspectives, and understand film as a powerful medium for social reflection and dialogue.

PANEL-TALKS

In addition to the extensive film program, this year’s Africa Film Festival Cologne also offers a diverse supporting program with workshops, panel talks and discussion rounds. These events create space for in-depth discussion, personal exchange and critical reflection – in dialog with filmmakers from Africa and the diaspora.
In our panels, we address current social, political and cultural topics that are echoed in the films shown: from post-colonialism and decolonization, gender issues and queer identities to migration, climate (in)justice and artistic resistance. With these offerings, we not only want to inform, but also encourage people to think and participate – in the spirit of a festival that not only shows, but also connects.

Taxi Bamako – bike rickshaws for festival-goers

Visitors will again be able to travel to and from the festival in style with the highly popular “Taxi Bamako” service. Taxi Bamako is a bicycle rickshaw that is adorned with all the right accessories for an African film festival, and the right music. The rickshaw has a maximum capacity of two passengers (max. total weight: 145 kg). A trip through Cologne city centre (e.g. from Filmforum im Museum Ludwig to the filmmakers’ hotel on Flandrische Straße, just off Rudolfplatz) costs 8 euros for one person, or 14 euros for two. Taxi Bamako can also be booked hourly at a flat rate of 24 euros (one person) or 30 euros (two people). The service is only available when it is not raining. We recommend that you book your rickshaw trip a day in advance. In case you happen to forget your festival booklet in the cinema, you will find a replacement in the rickshaw. For Taxi Bamako bookings, please send a text message to Bernhard Tscherny at +49 162 35 86 88 0