Now in its 28th edition, the African, Asian and Latin American Film Festival took place in Milan from 18-25 March. Dedicated to the cinematography of the three continents, the Festival focused in particular on the themes of migration and cultural identities. Twenty-five films in national premiere, three in world premiere and twelve short films (all African) were awarded out of about 600 films that arrived from the three continents. This year’s prizes went primarily to films recounting the situations and roles of women in the socio-cultural contexts of their countries. Aya was selected as the best feature film and I am not a witch as the best short film. Both were directed by women: the first by Tunisian Fedhila Moufida and the second by Zambian Rungano Nyoni.
Also very touching was the short film Waiting for Hassana, directed by Nigerian Funa Maduka, at her directorial debut, who recounts through the eyes of a woman the story of 276 Nigerian girls who were kidnapped from their school in Chibok and held captive by Boko Haram fundamentalists in 2014.
Sr. Cristina Beffa, fsp, was a member of the jury panel that awarded the SIGNIS (OCIC and UNDA) prize.
