FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 1, 2026
Providence, Rhode Island

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PVD World Music Announces the 7th Annual African Film + Arts Festival, September 16–20, 2026

Five-day Providence festival brings more than 30 film screenings, live music, filmmaker conversations, and community gatherings to venues across the city

 

PROVIDENCE, RI: PVD World Music is proud to announce the return of its 7th Annual African Film & Arts Festival, taking place September 16–20, 2026, across Providence. The five-day festival celebrates the brilliance, diversity, and creativity of filmmakers and artists from Africa and the African diaspora.

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Since its founding, the African Film & Arts Festival has created a space in Providence for films, stories, music, and perspectives that are rarely presented on mainstream screens. This year’s festival continues that tradition with more than 30 screenings of short and feature-length films, filmmaker conversations, live music performances, and community gatherings.

 

Festival activities will take place throughout Providence at the Providence Public Library, RISD Metcalf Auditorium, 195 District Park, the Watson Institute at Brown University, and the Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island.

 

The 2026 program brings together films and filmmakers representing countries and communities across Africa and the African diaspora, with works connected to Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Angola, Madagascar, Ghana, Haiti, Brazil, Burundi, South Africa, and beyond.

Among this year’s films are Air Conditioner from Angola, The Man Who Planted Baobabs from Burkina Faso, Disco Africa from Madagascar, The Prophet from Mozambique, Le Taxi, le Cinéma et Moi from Burkina Faso, Ondas, and We Are Not Dreaming / Não Estamos Sonhando, alongside numerous short films and other feature presentations.

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The festival will also feature conversations with visiting filmmakers and artists, creating opportunities for Providence audiences to engage directly with the people behind the work. Live music is once again an important part of the festival experience, with performances including Albino Mbie, Becky Bass, Africa Nova, and additional musicians throughout the five-day celebration.

 

AFRICAN CINEMA IN THE COMMUNITY

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The African Film & Arts Festival seeks to celebrate, educate, and promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding among the diverse communities that call Providence home.

For PVD World Music, presenting African cinema is also about creating spaces where African immigrants, refugees, members of the diaspora, and the wider Rhode Island community can encounter stories from across the continent together.

 

The festival would not be possible without the cultural institutions, community organizations, artists, filmmakers, volunteers, supporters, and audiences who continue to believe in this work.

We invite Providence and the greater New England community to join us for five days of cinema, music, conversation, food, art, and gathering as we celebrate and enrich traditional and contemporary arts and films from Africa and the African diaspora so they may be experienced, valued, and cherished for generations to come.

 

7TH EDITION TEAM

Laura Twagirayezu
Kayleen Vicente
Chance Kinyange Boas
Romeo Umulisa

 

SMALL MIGHTY TEAM. BIG COMMUNITY DREAM!

The 7th African Film & Arts Festival is made possible through the tireless work of the PVD World Music team and community:

Chance Kinyange Boas - Founder and Executive Director
Padini Nirmal -  Director of Strategy, Community and Research
Dominique Sindayiganza - Photographer and Board member
Ian Lyle - Production Assistant

Si Jie Loo - Board of Director President

Osmond Tchuma 

Ashley Mercado

Jetrie Ndikumwenayo
 

Along with interns, volunteers, artists, filmmakers, curators, community members, and collaborators who make this festival possible.

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FESTIVAL PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

The 7th African Film & Arts Festival is made possible through the generous support and collaboration of our partners and sponsors, including:

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
Rhode Island Council for the Humanities
Rhode Island Foundation
Papitto Opportunity Connection
New England Foundation for the Arts
Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism
Providence Public Library
195 District Park
Fleet Library at Rhode Island School of Design
Africa Initiative at the Watson School for International and Public Affairs at Brown University
 

FESTIVAL INFORMATION

African Film & Arts Festival — 7th Edition
September 16–20, 2026
Providence, Rhode Island

For festival information, schedules, and updates, visit pvdworldmusic.com.

 

MEDIA CONTACT

PVD World Music
Email: info@pvdworldmusic.com
Website: pvdworldmusic.com