From Cape Town to Cairo: Reclaiming the Narrative at ADIFF NYC 2025
The African Cinema program at ADIFF NYC 2025 celebrates history, courage, and freedom — from Cape Town to Cairo.
We are absolutely thrilled to announce the spectacular lineup for the African Cinema program at the 33rd African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF NYC 2025)!
More than just a collection of movies, this year’s program is a powerful chorus of voices spanning Burkina Faso, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, and beyond. It is a cinematic journey that moves through time—confronting histories that were buried, capturing the vibrant pulse of the present, and bravely imagining a future defined by freedom.
A Continent Speaking for Itself: Four Chapters of Vision
Every film in this selection affirms a single, undeniable truth: Africa is not a story told by others; it is a continent speaking for itself. Our program is structured around four powerful themes, each highlighting a must-see film that embodies its spirit:
🕊️ 1. History & Memory: Reclaiming What Was Taken
Memory is not just looking back—it's an act of resistance. This section gives voice to erased histories and movements that shaped the continent. We are incredibly proud to feature Mother City (Dir. Miki Redling, South Africa), a gripping chronicle of the "Reclaim the City" movement in Cape Town. It shows how activists are fighting to reverse the spatial injustice of apartheid and turn the battle for housing into a powerful fight for dignity and place.
Also featuring: The Song of the Rifles (Burkina Faso), Abo Zabal 89 (Egypt), Mora is Here (Morocco/France), The Eyes of Ghana (Ghana), and Yambo Ouologuem: Bound to Violence (Mali/Senegal/France).
🌍 2. Contemporary Africa: Self-Determined, Complex, and Alive
Today’s Africa is young, creative, and in constant motion. Our centerpiece, the Gala Presentation of The Ants (Les Fourmis) (Dir. Yassine Fennane, Morocco), captures this complexity brilliantly. This bold film interweaves three lives at the Morocco–Spain border—a migrant, a recruiter, and a privileged woman—creating a moving and human reflection on migration, class, and moral reckoning. It is a story of an Africa redefining itself from within.
Also featuring: Carissa (South Africa), Diya (The Price of Blood) (Chad), Black Women and Sex (South Africa), and Megnot (Ethiopia).
⚡ 3. Cinema & Censorship: When Truth-Telling is a Revolution
For many, cinema remains a vital frontier of free expression. This section celebrates filmmakers whose courage turned the act of storytelling into defiance. Don't miss The Cairo Conspiracy (Boy from Heaven) (Dir. Tarik Saleh, Egypt/Sweden), a film banned in Egypt for exposing the deep, secretive collusion between the state and religious authorities. It is a chilling, high-stakes reminder that telling the truth is always an act of courage.
Also featuring: Foreign Body (Tunisia/France) and Sins of the Flesh (Egypt).
🏫 4. School Program: Learning to See Ourselves as Heroes
We believe that storytelling is one of Africa’s most powerful tools of transformation for the next generation. This section connects modern perseverance with classic folklore. We lead with The Wall Street Boy (Kipkemboi) (Dir. Charles Uwagbai, Kenya/Canada), a story of contemporary determination and community. It is paired with the beloved animated classic, Kirikou and the Sorceress (Dir. Michel Ocelot, Senegal/France), showing how a tiny hero uses wisdom and self-belief to save his village.
From the archival to the futuristic, from silence to song, we invite you to experience the sheer resilience, creativity, and unstoppable energy of the African continent.
Ready to explore the full lineup?
👉 Check the full schedule and grab your tickets here: adiffnyc.eventive.org/schedule
We can't wait to share this incredible journey with you!