The Women of Color Arts & Film (WOCAF) Festival - Atlanta

announces opening night feature and Nollywood Nights

ATLANTA, GA (February 6, 2008) – In celebration of Women’s History month, The Women of Color Arts & Film (WOCAF) Festival is announcing its opening night feature film for the upcoming festival. A Winter Tale directed by Frances-Ann Solomon, will be screened on Thursday March 20^th at the Auburn Avenue Research Library (AARL) on African American Culture and History (A special Library of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System) at 7.30pm. A “meet the filmmakers” reception will take place prior to the screening from 6.00pm- 7.00pm on the same day.  The 2008 festival will feature public screenings of more than 20 independent films, along with filmmaker discussions and a music concert.

As the only one of its kind in the Southeast, this year’s film festival promises to present an array of dynamic films written, produced or directed by women of color. The Film Festival segment of the WOCAF festival will take place from March 20-22, 2008 at the AARL, 101 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303.

“We are growing every year and are continuously impressed by the array of independent  films out there that have a woman of color in a key creative position whether it is behind, or in front of the camera” said Mojisola Sonoiki, festival director. “Our priority now is to become a fully-fledged registered non profit organization which will assist us in our expansion  efforts”

Opening Night Feature:

A Winter Tale is a poignant dramatic feature film set in a Caribbean takeout restaurant in Toronto. This outstanding Canadian film was created around an improvisational acting process which successfully brought forth the dramatic story of a male support group reacting to the shooting of a child in their community. The cast features rising Canadian actor Peter Williams and star Caribbean actors Ms. Leonie Forbes and Dennis “Sprangalang” Hall. Director Frances-Anne Solomon is scheduled to attend opening night.

Nollywood Nights: A celebration of Nigerian Cinema

A segment of the festival will be dedicated to the burgeoning Nigerian Film industry tagged “Nollywood” which will include screening several popular Nigerian films. This will included The Amazing Grace, the first Nigerian/Nollywood film to be distributed widely throughout North America .The film is  based on the true story of captured slaves form the Calabar region of Nigeria who inspired the song Amazing Grace.

Other screenings include the culturally-rich feature film, The Narrow Path, by celebrated Nigerian director Tunde Kelani. This dramatic film, with comedic highlights, depicts village life with a focus on the healing and courage of women. Other films to be screened include Catch Them Young by Awoba Bob Manuel, Ìràpadà (Redemption) by Kunle Afolayan and Osanle by Abimbola Ogunsanya.

The rising Nigerian film industry is noted by JWT, the largest US ad agency, as one of the top eighty things to watch for in 2008. Nollywood is tagged to be  the 3^rd largest producer of films after Hollywood and Bollywood,

About WOCAF

Now in its fourth year, The WOCAF’s schedule of films and music attracts a diverse audience of women and men. Each year, films from Africa, America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia and Europe are showcased. Last year WOCAF introduced a music performance as part of its  bill. Founded in 2005, WOCAF is dedicated to promoting cultural, political and social issues about and/or related to women of color. WOCAFF provides a platform for women of color who do not normally have a platform to exhibit their work. By showing a broad spectrum of films, WOCAFF’s goal is to utilize films as a powerful vehicle to inform, enrich and entertain.

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