Africa Film Society has been organizing Classics in The Park since 2016. It is a free screening event that was held on the last Saturday of every month before Covid-19 Pandemic. However now, since 2022 the free screenings now come off every March during Independence Day week. We screen old, classic African films shot in Africa or about Africa, including short films by young African filmmakers. Classics in The Park was scheduled for 4th-5th March at Akola Boni Park at Osu - Ako Adjei, 6pm – 10pm on both nights. It attracted a unique and a diverse audience which was exciting.
We believed and still believe that African audiences and young African filmmakers need to see the good classic films so it presents them with new ways of understanding our past and present.
We put out a call for short films and were impressed by the number of submissions we received. The official selection of short films featured works from different parts of the continent.
11 films
7 countries
For the Classic feature films, we programmed and screened ‘Maangamizi: The Ancient One’ (2001)
It’s an essential work of Tanzanian cinema as well as a vital story of the relationship between three women - a doctor, her patient and an ancestor who unites them. It is a story that seeks to reclaim the connection between Africa and her Diaspora.
We are grateful for the help from ajabuajabu - a film collective in Tanzania that has been leading the re-release of the film.
Trailer - c. AjabuAjabu
Our very own King Ampaw’s film Nana Akoto/Juju(1985) was the other classic film we screened at the special edition and it was definitely a crowd pleaser. A comic tale about a stubborn village elder who resists slipping gently into retirement.
Classics in the Park 2023 was really special.
To everyone that joined and supported us, thank you so much!
So grateful to the AFS team, the filmmakers whose films we screened and the group of dedicated volunteers who made the two day screening possible.
We look forward to returning again next year!! We can’t wait to show you exciting classics and contemporary African shorts. Follow us on social media to get updates and information about our programming.