Women Narratives in Film

The Bioscope and the Goethe-Institut invite you to a cinematographic evening showcasing films by African women filmmakers as part of the African Feminisms Gathering. Through powerful visual storytelling, these films explore the lived experiences and challenges of women across African societies, portraying the deep connection of women through care, community and womanhood. The films offer unique perspectives and inviting reflection and dialogue.

Short film: MINKY by Phumzile Sitole, 2025, South Africa

Feature film: THE BRIDE by Myriam U. Birara, 2023, Ruanda

Short Film

MINKY is a black-and-white short film set in 2006 Johannesburg. Auntie, an elderly domestic worker, drifts through days marked by routine, her world softened and stripped of color by time. One night, a message stirs the possibility of reunion. In this muted landscape, where memory and longing blur, the night unfolds like an illusion—fleeting, delicate, and almost beyond touch, for both Auntie and us.

Phumzile Sitole is a South African-born actress, director, writer, and producer with a notable international career spanning theatre, film, and television. From her foundational training at UCT to her Master’s studies at Columbia University, Phumzile’s journey reflects a commitment to exploring diverse artistic forms while her work aims to bridge South African and Global entertainment landscapes. Through her company, Triple One Eight Productions, she continues to foster cross-continental collaboration, creating groundbreaking, socially resonant content with a focus on mentoring the next generation of creatives.

Feature Film: THE BRIDE

Three years after the Genocide Against Tutsis, Eva, a young woman with dreams of going to medical school is abducted and s u b j e c t e d to, Guterura, a form of traditional marriage. Feeling abandoned by her conservative family who pushes her to accept her new situation, Eva bonds with the cousin of her abductor. When Eva discovers the tragic story of her Òhusband’s" family, she is torn between staying or running away.

Myriam U. Birara (b. 1992) is a Rwandan filmmaker and painter who began her filmmaking journey in 2011. She has directed three short films, including the acclaimed Imuhira, which premiered in competition at the 2021 Locarno International Film Festival and screened at several major international festivals. Her debut feature film, “The Bride”, premiered in the Forum section of the 2023 Berlinale and continued its festival run at BFI London, Chicago International, FESPACO, Marrakech, Las Palmas, and the Festival du nouveau cinéma de Montréal, among others.