Zambian director Rungano Nyoni’s Cannes-premiering film On Becoming A Guinea Fowl will open the S16 Film Festival. The festival’s closing film is Hanami, directed by Cape Verde’s Denise Fernandes. Both films have received acclaim throughout the 2024 festival season.
Nyoni won the Best Director award (in a tie with Roberton Minervini) at the Une Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival. Fernandes was named Best Emerging Director at the Locarno Film Festival.
The festival made the announcement on its Instagram account, revealing that the event will take place at the Alliance Française in Ikoyi, Lagos, from December 10 to 13. “The S16FF 2024 Schedule is here! We’re beyond excited to share a dynamic lineup of films, panels, and events that showcase the power of technology and innovative storytelling.”
Synopses Of Opening and Closing Films
On Becoming A Guinea Fowl follows events that follow its protagonist, Shula, after she finds the body of her uncle on an empty road one night. As preparations begin for his funeral, family secrets begin to unravel. The film is set in Zambia and stars Susan Chardy, Elizabeth Chisela and Henry B.J. Phiri.
Hanami is on the coming-of-age of a young girl left in Cape Verde while her mother seeks a better life elsewhere. The film stars Sanaya Andrade and Alice da Luz.
Other films to screen at the festival include God’s Wife by Dika Ofoma, Reborn by Adeola Fadola, Enyo by Nneoha Ann Aligwe, and Fluid Lagos by The Fluid Collective.
Other Projects
Other films to be screened at the festival include Kpakpangolo by Nosazemen Agbontaen, Leaving Ikorodu in 1999 by Rashida Seriki, Baptized by Fire by Kach Offor, Everything Lasts and Nothing Ends by Nosazemen Agbontaen & Rete Poki, 2720 by Basil De Cunha, Echoes of the Heart by Arnaud Rwasangabo, Everything Must End by Uwana Anthony Churchy, Danse Macabre by Tobi Onabolu, and Journey Mercies by Tomisin Adepeju.
The festival’s organisers have said that no tickets are required and seating will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The S16 Film Festival “celebrates cinema as an art form and promotes new African and world cinematic voices”.
It is founded by the Surreal 16 Collective in collaboration with A Whitespace Creative Agency, Fatherland, and Oak Media. The event is supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands and the French Embassy.
