Join us outdoors at The Africa Center for music and a free screening of Bufis, directed by Mahad Ahmed and Vincenzo Cavallo, this electrifying movie is based on the true story of a scam that was prevalent in Kenya. Many people, usually Somalis who had crossed over to Kenya during the 1991 civil unrest, had found unique ways to get visas approved and get a chance to reach the land of opportunities—the United States of America. Bufis will be preceded by the short film 'Brain Drain', by Collins Akpapunam.

About the Film

Eastleigh Nairobi, Kenya is home to many Somalis who fled the Somali Civil War. When the US embassy opens the green card lottery visa, Assad writes hundreds of stories about imaginary families running away from the war and submits them. When one of the stories is accepted, Kamal, a repatriated Somali-American, helps him to find the right characters for the embassy interviews. The two have sent hundreds of fake families to the US but now their epic scam is about to be discovered. Based on true events, Bufis delivers a humorous and ambitious story about actualizing a dream of a new life.


About Mahad Ahmed
About Vincenzo Cavallo

About our Summer Series

During this annual series, AFF presents free programs throughout NYC, in public venues and city parks, including screenings of African cinema and family-friendly events such as the annual Family Day Celebration on Governors Island. Learn More