ATLANTA (February 2012) – The seventh annual Women of Color Arts and Film (WOCAF) Festival is pleased to announce its opening night feature film, “The Education of Auma Obama" by Branwen Okpako , taking place at Walter C. Hill Auditorium, High Museum of Arts, 1280 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30309 on Friday March 16th at 7pm. The film which made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival is an intriguing look into the life of President Barack Obama's Kenyan half-sister Auma Obama, filmed in her homestead in Kenya during the run up to the 2008 US Presidential elections that brought her brother President Barack Obama to power. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the High Museum of Art's box office.
The centerpiece film “MA'AMI" by acclaimed Nigerian Filmmaker Tunde Kelani is scheduled to be screened on Saturday March 17th at the Auburn Avenue Research Library (AARL), 101 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA and is free and open to the public. Set over a two day period, leading to the 2010 World cup, "MA'MI" is an inspiring story of a poor conscientious single parent's struggle to raise her only child, Kashimawo who eventually rises to international stardom in an English football club, Arsenal and becomes a national hero.
The closing night film "Ties That Bind" by multiple award-winning director Leila Djansi, described as one of the hottest new wave directors out of Africa, is the story of three women from different backgrounds bound together by a common tragedy; the loss of a child. The film features Hollywood actress Kimberly Elise, Ghanaian stars, Ama K Abebrese, John Dumelo, David Dontoh and one of the Nollywood's most notable actresses, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde. The screening will take place at Walter C. Hill Auditorium, High Museum of Arts, 1280 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30309 on Sunday March 18th at 6pm. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the High Museum of Art's box office.
For a detailed festival itinerary please visit our website www.wocaf.org
Festival Sponsors – 2012 festival sponsors/partners include: Creative Loafing, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, Women Make Movies, Goethe Institute NY, Storm Web Enterprises and Africanreel.tv. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
About the Women of Color Arts and Film Festival:
Founded in 2005, WOCAF is dedicated to promoting cultural, political and social issues about and/or related to women of color. The festival’s mission is to be at the forefront in promoting the leadership capabilities of women of color media makers and artists; expand dialogue on social and women’s issues; and promote positive empowering images of minorities in the media.
Media Contact
Tosin Taiwo
tosin@wocaf.org
Tel: 347 69-WOCAF (347.699.6223)
