The Toronto International Film Festival has named Somalia’s K’naan Warsame’s Mother Mother and Nigerian director Afolabi Olalekan’s Freedom Way among films to be screened at its 2024 edition. Both films are included in its Discovery section.
According to the festival, Discovery, which showcases first and second features, is “a launching ground for filmmakers, many of whom have gone on to great acclaim.” Indeed, some of the filmmakers who have shown their work in the section include Alfonso Cuarón, Christopher Nolan, and Barry Jenkins. All three have directed Oscar Best Picture winners.
In a video describing films in the section, Dorota Lech, the section’s lead programmer, says Discovery is a “space for future auteurs to launch their international careers”. This is true for Olalekan. Freedom Way is his international debut. Warsame, however, is considerably more familiar with the international scene albeit in a different field.
In 2008, his song Wavin’ Flag was heard around the world courtesy of a Coca-Cola commercial. And in February this year, the Canada-based artist, received a Grammy for his song Refugee.
This year, Discovery will screen 24 films from these countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Colombia, Denmark, Greece, India, Italy, Kosovo, Nigeria, Romania, Somalia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, and Ukraine.
