The 30th New York African Film Festival is presented under the banner Freeforms—through the explorations of experimental and free-forms of cinematic and artistic expression, we celebrate unique and expansive approaches to the moving image and storytelling. The film program will include new and contemporary films and moving image works, as well as a robust program of repertory cinema, highlighting the ways that artists have shaped ideas and diversified the canon of film.

The festival will be presented with Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) from Wednesday, May 10 — Tuesday, May 16. From FLC, the festival will continue at Maysles Cinema in Harlem from Friday, May 19 — Sunday, May 21, and will conclude at Brooklyn Academy of Music’s (BAM) Rose Cinemas from Friday, May 26 — Thursday, June 1 in conjunction with the annual DanceAfrica celebration. The festival will kick off with a Town Hall at The Africa Center, in early May, featuring African and diaspora artists displaying and discussing work that explores the festival’s theme, Freeforms.

For more information, visit: https://africanfilmny.org

Festival Event Dates

Thursday, May 4, 2023:

Town Hall Kick-off Event @ The Africa Center

This Town Hall festival kick-off event will present African and diaspora artists displaying and discussing work that unpacks the festival’s theme, Freeforms, and explores the work of a group of artists of African descent working in various mediums.

Wednesday, May 10, 2023:

Opening Night of the 29th NYAFF @ Film at Lincoln Center Screening & Party

Wednesday, May 10 – Tuesday, May 16, 2023:

Screenings and Events @ Film at Lincoln Center

Saturday, May 13, 2023:

Festival Centerpiece Night Reception & Screening @ Film at Lincoln Center

Friday, May 19, 2023:

Maysles Opening Night Screening

Friday, May 19 – Sunday, May 21, 2023:

Screenings/Events at Maysles Cinema, Harlem

Friday, May 26, 2023:

BAM Opening Night Screening

Friday, May 26 – Thursday, June 1, 2023 (Memorial Day Weekend):

Screenings and Events @ Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM – DanceAfrica/FilmAfrica)

Early, June 2023:

Festival Closing Outdoor Screening @ The Africa Center