Welcome to the 26th Annual Cascade Festival of African Films! We are very pleased to present a variety of feature and documentary films from the African continent. The majority of films were made by African directors. The films celebrate Africa’s achievements, expose Africa’s failures, and reveal the possibilities for change and a hopeful, more prosperous future. They show us pictures of Africa through the eyes of Africans, rather than a vision of Africa that is packaged primarily for western viewers. This year’s films cover a wide range of themes and topics, including music and the arts; revolution, politics and change; displaced children; poverty and the difficulties of urban life; the rise of religious fundamentalism; the struggle for gender equality and freedom; love and marriage.

We view film as a medium for artistic expression and illumination. These films were chosen on the basis of their quality as film and their ability to captivate and move audiences. We also chose them because they represent different countries and cultures and a range of lifestyles from pre-colonial to modern times, including both rural and urban settings. Although it is impossible to represent a whole continent with only a few films, it is our hope that through this annual film series we will encourage American viewers to become interested in African cultures and to study them further.

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About the Festival

Welcome to the 26th Annual Cascade Festival of African Films! We are very pleased to present a variety of feature and documentary films from the African continent. The majority of films were made by African directors. The films celebrate Africa’s achievements, expose Africa’s failures, and reveal the possibilities for change and a hopeful, more prosperous future. They show us pictures of Africa through the eyes of Africans, rather than a vision of Africa that is packaged primarily for western viewers. This year’s films cover a wide range of themes and topics, including music and the arts; revolution, politics and change; displaced children; poverty and the difficulties of urban life; the rise of religious fundamentalism; the struggle for gender equality and freedom; love and marriage.

We view film as a medium for artistic expression and illumination. These films were chosen on the basis of their quality as film and their ability to captivate and move audiences. We also chose them because they represent different countries and cultures and a range of lifestyles from pre-colonial to modern times, including both rural and urban settings. Although it is impossible to represent a whole continent with only a few films, it is our hope that through this annual film series we will encourage American viewers to become interested in African cultures and to study them further.

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