Reel To Reality Festival: Session 1 (UPENDO)

Reel to Reality Festival is an annual film festival run by Behind Her Lens Visuals, that aims to spotlight films made by filmmakers within the African diaspora, to showcase the past, present and future of diasporic cinema through strong voices in film. The festival aims to grant visibility and distribution to emerging voices and stories of African descent, across socio-political divides. Follow us @reeltorealityfest and @behindherlensvisuals on Instagram for more information about selected films, screening times and discussions. 

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SESSION 1 PROGRAMME "UPENDO" Translated as Love in Swahili. This curated African short film session focuses on complex expressions on love. Duration: 1hr.

UMLINDELO

Umlindelo is centered around two sisters, mourning the loss of their father, who navigate the difference in the memories they have of him.

BOUMLA

The crossed destiny of Karim, a 10 year's old boy, naively believing in the most absurd superstitions and rituals that can free him from a day of school. Lamia, a teacher who sees her life turned upside down by her father, who forces her to marry a man she didn't want. Torn by the love of her boyfriend Jamel , she is forced to leave him without notice and forces him to stick to conventional marriage. Jamel with excess rage commits an irreparable act that will change the lives of our three characters.

CONFIRMATION

Maame is a God-fearing mother who wants nothing but the best for her son, Kojo. But when he befriends an out and proud, expressive young man in their church, Maame must confront her fear of accepting Kojo’s burgeoning sexual identity or risk losing him.

I WAS NEVER REALLY HERE

Sam (17, German-Ghanaian) and his mother Rita are awaiting the arrival of their old friend Gifty and her son Kwesi (19, Ghanaian). As Kwesi enters Sam's life, he begins to fall in love with Kwesi and questions his identity. But their growing connection is threatened by Kwesi's and Gifty’s lack of residency status. As time runs out, Rita's efforts to help her old friends cannot prevent the worst from happening.