AL : What was the biggest challenge with organizing the festival in the beginning ?
LW : In Houston , finding appropriate venues is always a challenge . There was no single screening location for the festival that was both affordable and available as the principal location , there was no central building that was convenient to all potential audiences . To serve Houstonians from Clear Lake to Sugar Land meant finding multiple locations . Natashia felt that university screening sites might be a good choice .
The next challenge was communicating to the entire community : Anglo , African-American , Asian — everyone . And , as with most start-up ventures , funding for advertising , a web site , etc . was a challenge . A great team of interested friends was gathered , under the leadership of Natashia Clark .
Interestingly , finding great films was not difficult . We announced the festival through FilmFreeway and the response was tremendous . African film makers were delighted to find us and to cooperate with the festival .
NC : The biggest challenge was trying to determine the direction of the festival . We wondered if we should approach the universities about being venues or fundraise for the rental of a movie theatre . How do we mobilize African and African American social groups to help with the needs of the festival ? Many thoughts and questions about how to organize the festival went through our minds .
AL : How has the festival grown throughout these three years of its existence ?
LW : The word has gotten out and the festival has grown each year . Universities and high schools see the films as wonderful learning opportunities for students . The large Ghanaian and Nigerian communities in
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Houston are delighted to see their country ’ s talent spotlighted . We want to thank these friends , the World Affairs Council , and the associated universities .
NC : The festival has grown through an increase in our audience membership and participating organizations ’ help , such as World Affairs Council of Houston , Gite Gallery and Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center . The public is becoming more aware of the festival .
AL : What are you doing now to improve the festival ?
LW : I ’ d like to see more corporate participation , both in supporting the event and in encouraging employee attendance . Many Houston companies have business activities in West Africa and may want to improve their employees understanding of the region . Participation in the film screenings is a fun way to accomplish that . And corporate logos seen in association with the festival tell the Houston community , as well as West Africans , that this company honors the voices of Africans and supports their work .
NC : We are currently trying to fundraise for better awards for our participating West African filmmakers who gained selection into our festival .
AL : What else would you like the public to know about the future direction of the WAFF ?
LW : The West African Film Festival is a great addition to Houston ’ s cultural offerings . In the future , we hope to be able to bring West African actors , producers , and directors to Houston for discussions of the films and ‘ meet the director ’ opportunities . We ’ d like to offer workshops for young Houstonians who may want to pursue a career in films .
The countries of West Africa have
made substantial progress in recent years , getting past Ebola and moving forward on economic development and democratic institutions . Our understanding of – and connection to – West Africa should make some progress , too . Let ’ s get past the old view of Africa 50 years ago . Through film , we can see the region for what it is today , for the astonishing beauty , the rich human story , and all the promise and possibilities that exist .
We hope that everyone will put the West African film festival on their calendar each year , tell their friends , and help us make the festival the biggest and best in the US .
NC : We would like the public to know that we will continue to show West African centered films that discuss social injustice and empowerment as well as illustrate the broad range of beauty and talent of the region . In addition , we will eventually add a conference component to the festival that will allow West African and Houstonian leaders from various industries to share best practices .
Kick of Event Reception hosted by Gite Gallery
Locations of Film Festivals Harmony Public Schools , University of Houston Clear Lake , Rice University Cinema , HCC Center of Excellence Media Arts & Technology .
Closing Reception Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center
For more information visit www . facebook . com / westafricanfilmfestival
by Anita Long