PRIZES AT THE FESTIVAL

JURY PRIZE

This year, a JURY PRIZE will be awarded at the festival for the second time. It is endowed with 2000 euros and was supported by HOCHSCHULE FRESENIUS. The winner will be announced at the closing event (28 September, 20:30).

DIVERSITY FILM PRIZE

The DIVERSITY FILM PRIZE will also be awarded again this year. It is endowed with 1000 euros and was donated by Element E Filmproduktion GmbH. 12 feature-length and short films are up for the award.

BEST FEATURE FILM

The audience award BEST FEATURE FILM (1000 euros) is once again supported by our festival partner, the culture magazine choices. The audience can choose the winner from 9 feature films.

BEST DOCUMENTARY

In the competition for the audience award BEST DOCUMENTARY (1000 euros), 15 films will be vying for the audience’s favour. This prize is being sponsored by DW Documentary for the first time.

BEST SHORT FILM

The BEST SHORT FILM Audience Award is sponsored by the Nikolaus-Gülich-Fonds & KIOSK – Arts Exchange e.V. (500 euros).

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).

COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION

Our festival also focuses on education, with special programs, school screenings and workshops for young audiences to promote media literacy and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. By working with students and educators, we hope to develop a deeper understanding of African cinema and encourage young people to engage with storytelling in film and gain a reflective image of the African continent at an early age. This year’s program includes creative film workshops by Congolese filmmaker Nizar Saleh, dialogue workshops with Prof. Dr. Natasha A. Kelly and Kokutekeleza Musebeni as well as film screenings of NENEH SUPERSTAR and THE EMPTY GRAVE followed by a discussion.

COOL DOWN@AFFK

During this year’s edition, we are looking forward to bringing the festival Saturdays to a musical close at the ASIMMETRIC BAR on 21 and 28 September in collaboration with AFROVIBRATIONS.

WORKSHOPS AND PANEL-TALKS

Gain deeper insights through discussions with filmmakers and industry experts about their craft and the themes explored in their films. These workshops and panels offer a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process and the creative decisions that shape the stories on screen. This year’s discussion events will focus on the topics of legacy, restitution in film and documentary filmmaking.

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