{"id":1016,"date":"2011-01-10T08:21:05","date_gmt":"2011-01-10T16:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.africanfilmfestival.org\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T17:29:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T01:29:44","slug":"highlights","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.africanfilmfestival.org\/2026\/festival\/highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Festival Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pre-Festival Community Celebration<\/h3>\n

Free First Thursday at the Portland Art Museum<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kick off the 36th Cascade Festival of African Films by celebrating African cinema in the heart of the city. CFAF partners with the Portland Art Museum for a special\u00a0Free First Thursday<\/strong>\u00a0community gathering that brings film, visual art, music, and conversation together.<\/p>\n

Experience CFAF beyond the theater as PAM CUT at The Whitsell becomes a vibrant meeting place for storytelling across disciplines. Explore the newly redesigned museum and the\u00a0Black Art and Experiences (B.A.E.) Galleries<\/strong><\/a>, honoring the depth, creativity, and vitality of Black artistic expression through rotating exhibitions, multimedia works, and community-driven programming.<\/p>\n

Thursday, February 5 | 12:00\u20137:00 PM<\/strong>
\nPortland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave.<\/p>\n

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Opening Festival Film + Filmmaker Q&A<\/h3>\n

Be part of an unforgettable celebratory Opening Night as CFAF launches its 36th festival with Portland local film screening of\u00a0The Bride Price<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/strong>, a heartfelt dramedy. Setting the evening tone with a spectacular live performance\u00a0and post-screening Q&A with local filmmakers\u00a0Director Ime Etuk<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Writer\/Producer George N. Faux<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Friday, February 6 | 7:00 PM (Doors at 6:00 PM)<\/strong>
\nHollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd.<\/p>\n

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African Diaspora Meets Chinese Culture<\/h3>\n

CFAF\u2019s Centerpiece Film, Black Tea<\/em><\/a><\/strong>, gently explores themes around unexpected connection\u00a0and the courage to begin again across cultures. Directed by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Abderrahman Sissako<\/strong>, the film brings together African and Asian worlds through an intimate, deeply human story.<\/p>\n

Friday, February 20 | 7:00 PM (Doors at 6:00 PM)<\/strong>
\nHollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd.<\/p>\n

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Family Fest + Marketplace Day<\/h3>\n

Family Fest and Marketplace Day brings the festival\u2019s spirit into a joyful, all-ages gathering rooted in the African diaspora and the Portland community.<\/p>\n

The day features family-friendly film screenings alongside interactive activities and a vibrant marketplace showcasing local and regional African diaspora vendors. From handmade crafts and art to fashion and food, the marketplace creates a welcoming space to connect, celebrate, and support community creativity.<\/p>\n

Film programming includes youth-friendly selections followed by The Wall Street Boy<\/em><\/a><\/strong>, a gripping Kenyan feature that sparks conversation across generations.<\/p>\n

Saturday, February 28 | 1:00\u20136:00 PM<\/strong>
\nPCC Cascade \u2013 Moriarty Auditorium
\nMarketplace open prior to screenings<\/em><\/p>\n

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African Literature on Screen<\/h3>\n

This year\u2019s festival highlights the powerful intersection of African literature and cinema\u2014stories that have shaped generations, reimagined through film by visionary African and Pan-African filmmakers.<\/p>\n

Selections include cinematic adaptations and literary inspirations drawn from some of the continent\u2019s most influential voices, exploring themes of womanhood, political resistance, faith, memory, and power:<\/p>\n