Screenings
Hot Irons
Andrew Dosunmu, Nigeria/US,1999, 50 min.


Kounandi
Apolline Traore
Burkina Faso, 2003, 49 min.


Ralph Bunch:
An American Odyssey
William Greaves
USA, 2002, 20 40 min. modules

Free to Dance
Madison Lacy
USA, 2000, 60 min.

Preface

Reviewers

Kaisson Jones

Yelenah Aponte

Brittany Engram

A’Neyah Daniels

Film is an incredibly
powerful medum.
It can inspire profound
observation in young
people. It can also
bridge an ocean
of experience when framed
as a curricular environment for complex
subjects such as literary technique,
social justice, and empathy. When given
the opportunity to express their opinions,
kids can't help but exercise skills in
critical thinking.

AFF is in its 4th year of the education program in cooperation with The East Harlem School at Exodus House (EHSEH), a magnet school for youngsters in one of New York City’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. AFF works with an educational consultant to develop a model curriculum built around films and media artists from the African Diaspora. Every five weeks AFF invites guest speakers from the African Diaspora to come in and share their experiences in media-making as well as other artistic expressions. Past guest have included notable artists such as Malian musician Salif Keita, African art scholar and curator, Dr. Carol Thompson, Ms. Corice Arman, filmmakers Madison Lacy, William Greaves, Andrew Dosunmu, as well as Fode Bangoura, a prominent member of Guinea’s leading ballet company. Moderated discussion during these events prompted students to articulate their curiosity about cultural and technical issues.

Students write responses after each presentation, some of which are reproduced here as a means of illustrating both the students’ insights into African film and AFF’s commitment to education. AFF hopes to integrate this program into other schools in the future. A selection of commentaries of Kounandi are presented here.
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