Celebrating Arts and Films by Women & Honoring Theatrical Excellence
The CEO of Rootflix and founder of African Women Arts and Film Festival (AWAFFEST),
Ichie Kelechi Eke, announces the 6th edition of AWAFFEST, set to take place from April
24th to April 25th, 2025 at the prestigious Ebunjan Theatre in The Gambia. This landmark
cultural event continues its tradition of showcasing exceptional filmmaking by African
Women while celebrating their contribution to the arts across the continent. This is the first
time that the festival will hold in West Africa after the previous editions have been held in the
Eastern and Southern regions of Africa.
LEGENDARY RECOGNITION
This year’s edition holds special significance as AWAFFEST honors Mrs. Janet
Badjan-Young, the visionary founder of Ebunjan Theatre, with the coveted Legend Award.
This recognition celebrates her extraordinary lifetime contribution to arts, film, and theatre
development in Africa.
Mrs. Badjan-Young’s remarkable career spans decades of cultural innovation and
preservation. After pioneering various theatrical initiatives across the continent, she
established the Ebunjan Theatre in The Gambia, creating a vital cultural institution that
continues to nurture artistic expression and preserve Gambian heritage. The award
ceremony will be a highlight of this year’s festival, recognizing her transformative impact on
African performing arts.
The 6th edition features an impressive lineup of 16 film selections from across Africa and
beyond, exploring powerful themes of resilience, hope, and transformation. Some of these
selections will be available on Rootflix, a streaming platform for quality multicultural films.
Among the notable screenings:
Widow’s Gift: Acclaimed Ghanaian filmmaker and actress Juliet Ibrahim presents this
compelling drama following Jocelyn, a new widow who discovers unexpected truths among
friends and family while processing her grief, including a surprising final gift from her late
husband Derek.
Beware!: Malian director Soussaba Cissé delivers a poignant exploration of resilience
within a fractured nation. The film provides a moving testament to the Malian people’s
determination to rebuild a society once founded on sharing and coexistence, giving voice to
experiences both direct and indirect in a country working toward reconciliation.
R.E.S.C.U.E.: Kenyan filmmaker Keenan Ferguson’s heartwarming documentary chronicles
the groundbreaking conservation efforts of the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary and The Sarara
Foundation in Northern Kenya, spotlighting community-led initiatives that simultaneously
protect endangered species and empower local women.
The Girl From The Village: A Story Of Hope: American director Billy Surges collaborates
with the Weiss Scholarship Foundation in this inspiring documentary following Kenyan
scholarship recipient Christine Akoth’s educational journey from Kenya to Elmhurst
University in the United States, highlighting transformative educational opportunities for
students from poverty-stricken regions.
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN FILM
A cornerstone of this year’s festival is a specialized Film Workshop designed specifically to
empower young women interested in pursuing careers in filmmaking. This initiative reflects
AWAFFEST’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of female cinematic
voices across Africa. The workshop will be facilitated by Alhagie Manka, the CEO of State
of the Mic and Gambian Ambassador of The African Film Festival (TAFF). The 6th edition
honors both established legends like Janet Badjan-Young and emerging talents, creating a
powerful intergenerational dialogue about African arts and culture.
ABOUT AWAFEST
The African Women Arts Festival (AWAFEST) is an annual celebration of women’s
contributions to film, theatre, and the arts across Africa. Now in its 6th edition, the festival
has grown from its origins to become a significant cultural event, traveling from Tanzania
to Zambia and now The Gambia. AWAFEST is a sister festival to The African Film Festival
(TAFF) in Dallas, Texas.
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Publisher: The Scribe
