6th Annual African Film + Art Festival
Six years of African Cinema in Providence, RI
Celebrating 6 years of African Cinema in Rhode Island
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 09, 2025
PROVIDENCE, RI
Back for the sixth year, PVD World Music’s Annual African Film and Arts Festival 2025 returns to Providence from September 17 to 21, 2025, with a five-day celebration spotlighting the brilliance of women filmmakers from Africa and the African diaspora.
As with every year, the festival will showcase rarely-seen films, conversations with pioneering contemporary filmmakers, live music performances and host community gatherings in locations around Providence in partnership with local champion organizations.
The African Film and Art Festival seeks to celebrate, educate and promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding between the diverse communities that call Providence home. We hope you can join us to celebrate, promote, and enrich traditional music, arts and films from Africa and around the world so that they may be enjoyed and cherished for generations to come!
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6TH EDITION CURATORIAL TEAM
Laura Twagirayezu
Kayleen Vicente
Chance Kinyange Boas
Romeo Umulisa
Clarke Phillips
SMALL MIGHTY TEAM. BIG COMMUNITY DREAM!
This event was made possible through the tireless work of the PVD World Music team:
Chance Kinyange Boas, Founder and Executive Director
Padini Nirmal, Director of Strategy, Community and Research
Dominique Sindayiganza, Photographer and Advisor
Ian Lyle, Production Assistant
Alba Medina, Intern, Summer 2025
Martine Niwe, Intern, Spring 2025
Norissa Hemedes
The 6th African Film and Arts Festival is made possible by the generous support from our partners, collaborators and sponsors:
FESTIVAL PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
Rhode Island Council for the Arts
Rhode Island Council for the Humanities
Rhode Island Foundation
Pappito Foundation
New England Foundation for the Arts
Providence Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism
Providence Public Library
195 District Park
Social Enterprise Greenhouse
Courtland Club
The Fleet Library at Rhode Island School of Design
Ruth J. Simmons Center for Slavery and Justice at Brown University
Africa Initiative at Watson School at Brown University
Department of Africana Studies at Brown University
Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America at Brown University
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For more information contact info@pvdworldmusic.com or visit pvdworldmusic.com.
Selections and Schedule
Wednesday, September 17th, 2025
Festival Opening Celebration
Wednesday, September 17 - Festival Opening Celebration (Location: TBD). Support our summer intern, first-generation student Jetrie Ndikumwenayo, as he begins his journey at the University of Rhode Island, and help sustain our ongoing cultural work in Burundi by donating or purchasing a ticket to our gala.
Thursday, September 18th, 2025
5:30 Reception
6:30 Screening
QA with Filmmaker
Thursday, September 18 - Opening Night (Reception 5:30 PM; Screening 6:30 PM) - 280 Brook St (Brown University)Film: Money, Freedom, a Story of the CFA Franc - Directed by Katy Léna N'diaye (Senegal/France) QA with Director after screening
Friday, September 19th, 2025
12:15 PM Screening at RISD Museum
Friday, September 19 - Midday Screening (12:15 PM) - RISD Museum Auditorium, 20 N Main St
Film: L'homme-vertige: Tales of a City - Directed by Malaury Eloi Paisley (Guadeloupe/France
Friday, September 19th, 2025
5:30 PM Reception
6:30 PM Screening
QA with Filmmaker
Evening Feature (Reception 5:30 PM; Screening 6:30 PM) — Churchill House, 155 Angell StFilm: The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire - Directed by Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich (USA). QA with Director after Screening
Saturday, September 20th, 2025
12:15 PM Shorts Film Program
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On Saturday, September 20, the African Film and Art Festival returns to the historic, award-winning Providence Public Library, inside the Donald J. Farish Auditorium (3rd Floor), for a special day of screenings highlighting African and Cape Verdean cinema.
At 12:15 pm, we will present eleven short films from a diverse group of filmmakers across Africa. This short film program showcases emerging voices and innovative storytelling from the continent.
Saturday, September 20th, 2025
6:00 PM Screening
7:00 PM Screening
In the evening, the festival will feature two Cape Verdean feature films:
Pirinha (2024, Dir. Natasha Craveiro) Screening at 6:00 PM
Hanami (2024, Dir. Denise Fernandes) Screening at 7:00 PM
These screenings not only celebrate the unique contributions of Cape Verde to African cinema traditions, but also serve as a tribute to the large Cape Verdean community in Rhode Island, honoring their cultural presence and artistic heritage.
We are deeply grateful for the generous support of the Providence Public Library in making this program possible.
Sunday, September 21st, 2025
6:00 PM Live Music with Zikina Music Band
7:00 Outdoor Cinema Screening
On Sunday, September 28, 2025, our closing art and film program will take place in South Providence at the historic Southside Cultural Center (393 Broad Street, Providence, RI).
We will present a music concert tribute to the Central African refugee community, featuring a live performance by Zikina Music Band from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
At dusk, we will close the festival with the screening of Mikoko, directed by Angela Aquereburu (Togo).
We are grateful for the generous support from the Providence Arts, Culture and Tourism Department, which made this special event possible. Special Thanks to Cricket Cinema for the Screening and free popcorn
Thank you
We are celebrating the 6th annual African Film and Art Festival with a groundbreaking films curatorial to celebrate African and African Diaspora Women Filmmakers. Join us!