The 7th
edition of the IREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival will hold
from 16th-19th March 2017 at Freedom Park, Lagos with the theme "ARCHIVING
AFRICA." Conceived on the traditional thematic framework of Africa in
Self-Conversation, the IREP Film festival 2017 will rigorously explore the
opportunities open to Africa to bring its historic past into an archival system
that is accessible on demand, and most importantly, how we can begin to use
these materials to define a path for the future through storytelling.
Africa has
always been faced with a major challenge of connecting the dots in its
historical past. A large part of what constitutes the verifiable history of
Africa's past today is sourced from the west. The facts of our historical journey
are told to us by western imperialists and we simply regurgitate what is made
available to us. In an age when even technology is looking 'forward' into the
past to understand what is most valuable to our humanity, many African
societies are shrouded in a blanket of collective amnesia. Decades after the
last of colonized society in Africa has gained independence, the legacy of
European dominance remains - we must recourse to Europe to peep a glimpse of
African history and cultural properties because they are mostly domiciled
outside of the continent. Our history is ours in bits that is allowed to us
from the West! Documentary/documentation films must respond to this, if it must
by any chance, put a stop to the tragedy of forgetfulness in Africa. Storytelling
is essential to nation building; each cultural property that is locked away in
archives and museums in Europe is a repository of our history, journey and
insights into what we can become.
Please make
it a date!
Participation
is free
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