This summer the African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) is back for its 9th Summer Outdoor Series. This year’s summer film series titled Cinema Under the Stars will launch Thursday, July 10th and end Saturday, September 13th, 2008.
AFF is known for presenting outdoor screenings to diverse communities and neighborhoods all over NYC. This year we return to some of our favorite outdoor destinations such as St. Nicholas Park in Harlem, the lawn at Andrew Freedman Home in the Bronx, Corona Park in Queens, and Fulton Park in Bed Stuy. In addition, we are excited about some new venues and partnerships, including Central Park Summerstage, Harlem School of the Arts, Governors Island, amongst others.
With up to fifteen events to choose from, Cinema Under the Stars is an amazing series for anyone. Children, teens and adults alike will be entertained by the adventure this summer series has to offer. Featuring live performances, storytelling, free arts and crafts workshops, African and Caribbean cuisine, free dance and drumming classes and most importantly a wide variety of films from the African Diaspora, who wouldn’t want to join in on the hottest fun of the summer?
AFF’s first event of the Cinema Under the Stars series will be at Central Park SummerStage and we invite everyone to come out and celebrate with us! Opening the event will be roots-reggae artist I-Wayne, followed by one of the best films to ever hail from Jamaica. This will be one outdoor evening in Manhattan you won’t want to miss.
The following evening, we’ll be at Corona Park again this year with the Queens Museum of Art’s Passport Fridays. This event will feature a live performance by Ballet International Africans and the sequel to one of the most popular animated children’s film to come from Africa.
In our first collaboration with Harlem School of the Arts we will present a series of short and feature films curated specifically for teen audiences. Highlights will include cutting-edge documentaries and presentations by local filmmakers. A perfect event for teens, families and cinema enthusiasts.
This summer AFF will once again team up with the Bronx Museum of the Arts, to present an evening of film and entertainment on the lawn of the historic Andrew Freedman Home in the Bronx.
In keeping with tradition, AFF is pleased to announce its 6th year of partnering with Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) for the 2008 KIDflix Film Festival. This year’s KIDflix guarantees five evenings of fun and learning for children and families in the heart of Bed Stuy.
Cinema Under the Stars will continue in August at the historic St. Nicholas Park with an exciting evening of African drumming, dance, cinema and cuisine, featuring some of the best African drumming this side of the Atlantic as well as an award-winning feature film - this night is a must for families and friends who want to experience first-class African entertainment in multiple genres.
Furthermore, AFF is pleased to announce the first event of its kind with an all-day affair intended for the children in all of us at Governors Island. A 3-minute ferry ride from downtown Manhattan will bring you to our day-long island getaway where we will celebrate the achievements of women in history and families. In addition to showcasing films, AFF will host a variety of arts and crafts workshops, performances, and food from Africa and the Diaspora.
In closing our Cinema Under the Stars series, AFF will co-present a swinging evening of film and music that celebrates the warm traditions of jazz. A perfect way to end the summer!
Other than enjoying the summer weather, the amazing food, the spine-tingling live entertainment and the unforgettable films, the best thing about Cinema Under the Stars events is that they are free! So pack your blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets, and prepare to experience all the magic that African culture has to offer!
This summer AFF is pleased to collaborate with the following partners for our Cinema Under the Stars series: City Parks Foundation, Queens Museum of Art, Harlem School of the Arts, The Bronx Museum of Arts, Friends of St. Nicholas Park, Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation, Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, Central Park Conservancy and Jazzmobile.