Zimbabwe enjoyed its first taste of Oscar glory on Sunday night when the film ‘Music by Prudence’ won the Best Short Documentary gong at the 2010 Academy Awards.

“Music by Prudence” documents Prudence Mabhena’s life. She’s a 21-year-old from Bulawayo who has arthrogryposis, a congenital disorder that crippled her arms and legs.

Few Oscar films have packed in more profundity per minute than the tale of Prudence and seven other disabled young musicians transcending bigotry and isolation through art and fellowship.

“This is amazing. Two years ago when I flew to Zimbabwe, I never imagined I would wind up here,” said the film’s American producer-director, Roger Williams as he accepted the award. “This is for Prudence.”

In the audience, Prudence beamed from her wheelchair after making the trip to the Awards having earlier expressed doubts because of problems with her visa.

The only blemish on Prudence’s incredible night was producer Elinor Burkett borrowing a move from Kanye West’s playbook when she stormed the stage and interrupted Williams’ acceptance. The two collaborated on the movie.

Burkett explained in a post-speech interview with Salon that the pair had a disagreement over the “direction of the film” and that she was late to the podium because Williams’ mother used a cane to keep her from the stage. She went on to say that Williams hadn’t even heard of Zimbabwe until she told him about the country.

Read both sides of the story here

Despite that small hiccup, it was a great achievement and a beautiful story.

The 6^th African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) nominees were announced at the Mensvic Grand Hotel in East Legon, Accra Ghana. The actual event shall be held in Yenagoa, the capital of the oil-rich Bayelsa State, Nigeria, on April 10, 2010.

In 2009 Kenya took the lead but this year, they have been surpassed by Ghana and Nigeria who will be going neck to neck in many different categories. It did not help that Wanuri Kahiu opted not to enter her futuristic Scifi short, Pumzi for the AMAA 2010.

Nominees as reported on Art Matters are:

Best Documentary

• Mwamba Ngoma, Tanzania
• Peace Wanted Alive, Kenya
• Bariga Boys, Nigeria
• En quette d’identite, Burkina Faso
• Innovating for Africa, Nigeria

Best Short Film

• Mahala, Mozambique
• The Abbys Boys, South Africa
• The Painter, Uganda
• Suara La, Nigeria
• The Camera, Nigeria

Best Animation

• Honyan’s Shoe, Egypt
• Adventure of Alayo, Nigeria
• Zoodo, Burkina Faso
• Lyrics, Algeria
• One Step of Love, Algeria

Best Film by An African in the Diaspora

• Soul Diaspora
• Okra Principle
• China Wahala
• Crunch

Best Film in an African Language

• Omo Iya Kan, Nigeria
• Aldewolem, Ethiopia
• Togetherness Supreme, Kenya
• Imani, Uganda
• Game of my Life, South Africa

Heart of Africa Award for Best Film from Nigeria

• The Child
• High Blood Pressure
• Nnenda
• Lillies of the Ghetto
• The Figurine

AMAA Achievement in Sound

• The Tenant, Nigeria
• Season of a Life, Malawi
• The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• I sing of a well, Ghana
• Soul Diaspora, Diaspora

AMAA Achievement in Editing

• Season of a Life, Malawi
• The Child, Nigeria
• The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• Heart of Men, Ghana
• Lilies of the Ghetto, Nigeria

AMAA Achievement in Art Direction

• I sing of a well, Ghana
• Fulani, Nigeria
• The Child, Nigeria
• The Figurine, Nigeria
• Imani, Uganda

AMAA Achievement in Make Up

• Heart of Men, Ghana
• The Child, Nigeria
• The King is Mine, Ghana
• I sing of a well, Ghana
• Fulani, Nigeria

AMAA Achievement in Costume

• The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• Prince’s Bride, Ghana
• The Child, Nigeria
• I sing of a Well, Ghana
• Lilies of the Ghetto, Nigeria

AMAA Achievement in Visual Effect

• The Child, Nigeria
• The Figurine, Nigeria
• A sting in a Tale, Ghana
• Fulani, Nigeria
• Heart of Men, Ghana

Best Original Soundtrack

• Seasons of a Life, Malawi
• Imani, Uganda
• A sting in a Tale, Ghana
• The Child, Nigeria
• The Figurine, Nigeria

Best Performance by a Child Actor

• Teddy Onyango and Bill Oloo—Togetherness Supreme, Kenya
• Tobi Oboli—The Figurine, Nigeria
• Feyisola Ewulomi—Champions of our Time, Nigeria
• Treasure Obasi—Champions of our Time, Nigeria
• Mfanafuthi Magudulela—Game of my Life

Most Promising Actress

• Martha Kisaka—Togetherness Supreme, Kenya
• Chelsea Eze—Silent Scandal,
• Martha Ankomah—Sins of the Soul, Ghana
• Ashionye Michelle Ugboh—Jungle Ride, Nigeria
• Rahema Nanfuka—Imani, Uganda

Most Promising Actor

• Wilson Maina—Togetherness Supreme, Kenya
• Wale Ojo—The Child, Nigeria
• John Dumelo—Heart of Men, Ghana
• Pethro Tumba Mbole—Game of My Life
• Sunny Chikezie—Lilies of the Ghetto, Nigeria

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

• Godwin Kotey—I sing of a well, Ghana
• Francis Duru—Nnenda, Nigeria
• Yemi Blaq—High Blood Pressure, Nigeria
• Adjatey Anang—The Perfect Picture, Ghana

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

• Doris Sakitey—A sting in a Tale, Ghana
• Funlola Aoifeyebi-Raimi—The Figurine, Nigeria
• Tapiwa Gwaza—Seasons of a Life, Malawi
• Yvonne Nelson—Heart of Men, Ghana

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

• Bimbo Akintola—Freedom in Chains, Nigeria
• Jackie Appiah, Lydia Farson, Naa Ashoku Mensa-Doku—The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• Stephanie Okereke—Nnenda, Nigeria
• Flora Suya—Season of a Life, Malawi
• Akofa Edjeani Asiedu—I sing of a Well, Ghana

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

• Lucky Ejim—The Tenant, Nigeria
• Majid Michel—Sin of a Soul, Ghana
• Ramsey Nouah—The Figurine, Nigeria
• Sadiq Abu—Soul Diaspora, Diaspora
• John Osie Tutu Agyeman—I Sing of a well, Ghana

Best Screenplay

• Seasons of a Life, Malawi
• The Tenant, Nigeria
• Freedom In chains,
• Guilty Pleasure, Ghana
• I sing of a well, Ghana

AMAA Achievement in Cinematography

• The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• The Figurine, Nigeria
• I sing of a Well, Ghana
• The Child, Nigeria
• The Tenant, Nigeria

Best Picture

• Seasons of a Life, Malawi
• The Tenant, Canada/Nigeria
• The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• The Figurine, Nigeria
• I sing of a well, Ghana

Best Director

• Charles Shemu Joyah—Seasons of a Life, Malawi
• Shirley Frimpong-Manso—The Perfect Picture, Ghana
• Kunle Afolayan—The Figurine, Nigeria
• Leila Jewel Djansi—I sing of a well, Ghana
• Jude Idada and Lucky Ejim—The Tenant, Nigeria

Filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu takes her sci-fi short Pumzi to Sundance this year. Photo By: Chris King

Kenyan Filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu takes her sci-fi short Pumzi, the first ever Kenyan Sci-Fi to Sundance this year.

Pumzi “started off as a small script about what kind of world we would have to be if we had to buy fresh air,” writer/director Wanuri Kahiu told Wired.com in a Skype interview. The movie was made with grant money from Focus Features’ Africa First short film program, the Goethe Institut and the Changamoto arts fund. Pumzi will share the screen with two other films as part of Sundance’s New African Cinema program.

This special program presents three films that reflects a new wave of African cinema. South African filmmaker Jenna Bass draws from ancient mythological storytelling traditions to create a kind of historical magical realism in relating a modern-day tale of warfare in Zimbabwe in her film The Tunnel. Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu creates a brightly original science-fiction vision in her film Pumzi, a story of a botanist who risks everything to nurture a plant 35 years after the “Water War.” And Senegalese filmmaker Dyana Gaye draws from the fifties- and sixties-style French musicals to breathe fresh air into Saint Louis Blues, a buoyant road-trip tale set in the clogged urban streets and dusty roads of Senegal.

It’s a good time to be Idris Elba, former star of The Wire. The 36-year is currently playing the new Dunder-Mifflin exec on The Office, and will be seen in theaters on April 24 in the drama Obsessed, opposite Beyonce Knowles and Ali Larter.

What was it like for him to work with Beyonce?

“I think this was a very important role for her, because it was the first time she wasn’t playing a singer. But when we first started taping, it was difficult for us to really connect as artists because she has such a huge machine behind her. So in the early going it felt divided … almost like it was her and her team on one side, and everyone else on the other. But once the cameras started rolling, she really opened up and those walls began to fall. As a result, I really saw her grow as an artist, and I think you’ll be able to see it as well when you watch the film.”

Now he’s closing in on a a role in the Warner Bros.-Dark Castle thriller Losers, with Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen). Elba is negotiating to play Roque, a black ops commando set up by the government. The project is based on a DC-Vertigo comic and will be directed by Sylvain White (Stomp the Yard).

Jill Scott will be coming to HBO with her new series, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. She will be playing Motswana detective Mma Precious Romatswe, the main character in Alexander McCall Smith‘s series of novels on which this series is based, starting on March 29th alongside Anika Noni Rose. BBC viewers in the UK already got to see the 90-minute pilot movie of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, and word is that Jill puts in a fantastic performance. Check out the preview and drop your comments on the show.

The Pan African Film and Arts festival is here once again and opening this year’s festival is the acclaimed South African drama “Jerusalema” directed by Ralph Zinman at the star-studded red carpet opening night celebration on February 5th. The movie is about character Lucky Kunene who moves o the rough-and-tumble Hillbrow section of Johannesburg and transforms himself nto a real-estate crime boss even as he tries to elude determined white cop Blakkie Swart, vengeful renegade Nazareth Mbolelo and Nigerian drug lord Tony Ngu.

PAFF is America’s largest and most prestigious flagship black film and arts festival and will take place February 5-16, 2009. With over 2,500 submissions, the 2009 PAFF features films from 42 countries and boasts a record attendance now topping a quarter of a million attendees over its twelve-day run. The festival has announced a change of venue to accommodate its ever-growing audience for its film festival to the Culver Plaza Theatres (9919 Washington Boulevard). The PAFF Art Market, a highly anticipated and celebrated major exhibit of black fine art and quality crafts featuring the work of over 100 different artists and artisans, will remain at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza (3650 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.). For more information and access to PAFF’s online box office, please visit www.paff.org.

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION

Happy Sad (2008/Trinidad & Tobago/105min)
Dir: Dianah Wynter
After her mother is sent to prison, profound changes occur in the lives of several people when 17-year-old Mandy Graham goes to live with her father’s dysfunctional family who she never knew. Soon passions are unleashed, laying bare souls and revealing long hidden secrets.

Joséphine (Le Mystère Joséphine) (2008/Martinique/142min)
Dir: Christian Lara
When a young history professor arrives in Martinique to research her doctoral thesis on Joséphine, Napoleon’s wife, she finds two conflicting death certificates which cast doubt on Joséphine’s true identity.

Nobody Smiling (2008/US/83min)
Dir: Jamal Dedeaux
A college teacher returns home to bury his murdered brother. While wrapping up his brother’s affairs, he is assaulted by gang members who give him 24 hours to pay his brother’s substantial debt. Given little choice, he is pulled into a world of illegal drugs, arms deals, gangsters and underground pornography.

Prince of Broadway (2008/US/102min)
Dir: Sean Baker

The lives of two immigrants converge in the seedy side of New York’s wholesale district. Selling knock-off designer merchandise, Lucky’s world is turned upside down when a child is thrust into his life, while Levon struggles to save a marriage that is falling apart.

Rain (2008/Bahamas/93min)
Dir: Maria Govan

When her grandmother dies, a girl goes to live in Nassau with the mother who abandoned her when she was a toddler. As her mother’s destructive lifestyle becomes evident, the girl must struggle to find her own place in the world. Stars CCH Pounder and Calvin Lockhart.

Run Baby Run (2007/Ghana/117min)
Dir: Emmanuel Apea Jr.

Set against the backdrop of drug dealing and trafficking, a London-based student gets mixed up in the drug trade when his visiting little sister picks up the wrong suitcase at the airport. A dramedy in which the repercussions of a bad decision result in a frantic rescue throughout the Ghanaian countryside. Best Feature, AMAA (African Movie Academy Awards).

Sex, Gumbo & Salted Butter (Sexe, Gombo et Beurre Salé) (2008/France/81min)
Dir: Mahamat-Saleh Haroun

The story takes place in the African community in Bordeaux, France. Sexual issues, loneliness, tradition and modernity, interracial relationships, conflict of generations…all are depicted humorously.

Stolen Kisses (Kobolat Masroka) (2008/Egypt/120min)
Dir: Khaled el Hagar

The most watched film in Egypt, Stolen Kisses is a film about the challenges faced by today’s youth. Exploring unemployment, sexual frustration, prostitution, and violence in Cairo, its progressive approach made it the number one box office film in Egypt in 2008. Winner of 8 international awards.

Yellow House, The (La Maison Jaune) (2007/Algeria/France/89min)
Dir: Hakkar Amor

After the death of his son in military service, a farmer journeys to collect the body. Upon his return, he realizes his wife has become withdrawn. Fearing her inability to overcome depression, he tries everything to bring a smile back to her face.

Zimbabwe (2008/South Africa/84min)
Dir: Darrell Roodt

A young girl named Zimbabwe finds that life gets even tougher in rural Zimbabwe after the death of her mother from an AIDS-related disease. Not only are she and her brother now orphaned, but she has her orphaned niece to look after and the village Chief tells her they must leave, that they can no longer support them.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION
Black Candle, The (2008/US/71min)
Dir: M.K. Asante Jr.

A landmark documentary uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to explore the African-American experience. Narrated by world renowned poet Maya Angelou and directed by award-winning author and filmmaker M.K. Asante, Jr. (“500 Years”), this extraordinary, inspirational story celebrates the struggle and triumph of African-American family, community, and culture. Appearances by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Chuck D., Jim Brown, Amiri Baraka and Stic.Man of Dead Prez.

Cuba, an African Odyssey (France/118min)
Dir: Jihan El-Tahri

A chronicle of the crucial role that Cuba played in securing the independence of nations throughout Africa. At the very height of the Cold War, Cuba risked the enmity of both superpowers by its unwavering commitment to the principle that Africa should be governed by the genuine representatives of its peoples. Cuba provided invaluable support to liberation struggles throughout the continent. The film focuses on Cuban efforts in Congo, Guinea-Bissau and during the war in Angola. It reveals incredible events that span thirty years, from Che Guevara’s covert mission to avenge the death of Patrice Lumumba, to Fidel Castro’s command of the decisive battle in Angola and the negotiations with Apartheid South Africa that finally ended the war.

End of Poverty?, The (2008/US/104min)
Dir: Philippe Diaz

A phenomenal discourse on why poverty persists and why the majority of the world’s people live without adequate shelter, food, clothing and little to no access to medical care and education. A must see for anyone wanting to understand not only the US economic system but the foundations of today’s global economy. Narrated by Martin Sheen.

Kassim the Dream (2008/Uganda/US/88min)
Dir: Kief Davidson

Born in Uganda, abducted as a child and forced to become a soldier, Kassim finds his ticket to freedom through boxing. Coming to the U.S., he finds the American dream after becoming the Junior Middleweight Champion of the world.

Milking the Rhino (2008/US/83min)
Dir: David E. Simpson

With memorable characters and spectacular locations, MILKING THE RHINO tells joyful, penetrating and heartbreaking stories from Kenya and Namibia – revealing the high stakes obstacles facing Community Conservation today.

Nubian Spirit: The African Legacy of the Nile Valley (2008/Sudan/UK/73min)
Dir: Louis Buckley

A beautifully photographed documentary revealing the contribution of Ancient Sudan (Nubia) to the culture, history and spiritual mythology of the people from the Nile Valley.

Number One with a Bullet (2008/US/105min)
Dir: Jim Dziura

A thoughtful and informative study of the current violence engulfing Urban America seen through the eyes of many of today’s biggest rappers, many of whom have been victims of violence. Interviews with Ice Cube, Mos Def, Young Buck, KRS-One, Jerry Heller among others.

Peace Mission (2008/Germany/80min)
Dir: Dorothee Wenner

In Nigeria, a whole new film industry developed during the early 1990s. With over 1,400 films produced each year, “Nollywood” is statistically the biggest film industry in the world. Peace Anyiam Fiberesima, the founder of the African Movie Academy, takes the audience on a tour of the vibrant production hub of Lagos and introduces key personalities of Nollywood along the way. Versatile and full of energy, they all share the vision of making Nollywood an important platform for re-telling Africa’s history from an African point of view.

Standing-n-Truth: Breaking the Silence (2008/US/78min)
Dir: Tim Daniels

Transcending differences of sexuality, class and gender, the intimate experiences of stigma, shame and silence of men, women and children living in the face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic are punctuated by interviews with an array of popular-opinion leaders including Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Michael Eric Dyson and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North (2008/US/86min)
Dir: Katrina Browne, Alla Kovgan & Jude Ray

Filmmaker Katrina Browne’s discovery that her New England ancestors were America’s largest slave-trading family compels her into an intriguing and emotional exploration of the legacy of slavery.

NARRATIVE SHORT COMPETITION

Dockweiler (2008/US/15min)
Dir: Nick J. Palmer

An ex-con heads up maintenance at Dockweiler Beach, seeing himself as a savior to the men he hires. Stars Tony Todd.

Happy Anniversary, Punk! (2007/US/30min)
Dir: Michael Ajakwe Jr.

Teen violence and the failure of the justice system form the center of this adaptation of an acclaimed one-act play.

Jump the Broom: A Musical (2008/US/32min)
Dir: Kena Tangi Dorsey

This refreshingly creative musical finds a woman about to be married having second thoughts when her rascal of an ex shows up at the church just before the wedding.

Kwame (2008/Ghana/US/25min)
Dir: Edward Osei-Gyimah

A Ghanaian cabdriver comes to terms with the reasons he immigrated to America.

Nora (2008/US/35min)
Dir: Alla Kovgan & David Hinton

A filmic journey into the life of Nora Chipaumire, choreographer and performance artist from Zimbabwe.

Panty Man, The (2008/US/6min)
Dir: Camrin Pitts

Set in the moody blues atmosphere of an underground poetry club, a married man admits his fetish for womens panties.

Premature (2008/US/15min)
Dir: Rashaad Ernesto Green

A streetwise teenager discovers she’s pregnant. Receiving no support from her community, she has nowhere to turn and is faced with the most difficult decision she will ever make.

Put it in a Book (2008/US/18min)
Dir: Rodrigo Garcia

“Put It in a Book” is about two brothers: when one is killed by gang violence, the other must choose between two paths, one of righteousness or one of revenge.

Second Half, The (2008/US/20min)
Dir: Jeffrey Elmont

To save the future of a young B-ball player, a former player now working as a janitor must come out of the shadows.

Seven Breaths (2008/US/19min)
Dir: Gershon Hinkson

Embarking on a mission to find the thief, the victim of an armed robbery finds his moral path has become blurred.

Tight Jeans (2007/UK/9min)
Dir: Destiny Ekaragha

As they sit on a fence waiting for their buddy, a comedic debate about race and culture is sparked between three Black teens when a white man wearing tight jeans passes by.

Warrior Queen (2008/Ghana/22min)
Dir: Hezekiah Lewis

With the King exiled, Queen Asantewa becomes the strength and protector of her homeland, fearlessly leading her people against British rule and proving that preserving one’s culture and tradition ensures its identity and pride.

DOCUMENTARY SHORT COMPETITION

4 Our Sons (2008/Bermuda/US/82min)
Dir: Vanz Chapman & Eric McKay

Young Black men from different walks of life speak on growing up Black and male in an oftentimes hostile inner city environment. With strength and perseverance they were able to build their own versions of the American dream. An empowering must see for Black youth.

African Underground: Democracy in Dakar (2008/Senegal/France/US/65min)
Dir: Ben Herson, Chris Moore & Magee McIlvaine

Bridging the gap between hip-hop activism and video journalism, this groundbreaking documentary explores the role of youth and musical activism on the political process during recent presidential elections in Senegal.

Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio (2008/US/65min)
Dir: U-Savior

An examination of the rise and fall of Black Radio discusses the many aspects that made it unique as an art form. Features interviews with prominent individuals in media and Black culture and rare air checks by some of the most famous Black jocks of all time.

Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans (2008/US/68min)
Dir: Dawn Logsdon & Lolis Eric Elie

The Tremé district of New Orleans is arguably the oldest black community in America…the birthplace of the Southern Civil Rights movement as well as the home of jazz. This fascinating historical tour of the Tremé becomes a riveting tale of hope, heartbreak and resilience, especially in light of Katrina.

Has God Forsaken Africa? (2008/Canada/52min)
Dir: Musa Dieng Kala

Each year, thousands of young Africans risk their lives to flee a continent scourged by war and endemic poverty.

It’s Time: African Women Join Hands Against Domestic Violence (2008/Canada/53min)
Dir: Steven Hunt

In a unique partnership, a Canadian agency and two African organizations work to combat the epidemic of domestic violence toward women and girls in South Africa and Ethiopia.

Neo African Americans, The (2008/US/58min)
Dir: Kobina Aidoo

The African American narrative is rapidly being transformed by immigration from Africa and the Caribbean.

Sampari (2008/France/52min)
Dir: Damien Faure & Jerome Bonnard

Every year indigenous leaders from the world over travel to New York to participate in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Viktor Kaisiepo comes to defend the rights of his people of Western Papua, who have been colonized by Indonesia since 1969.

Scarred Justice: The Orangeburg Massacre 1968 (2009/US/57min)
Dir: Judy Richardson & Bestor Cram

Over-shadowed by the killing of four white students at Kent State, the little-remembered police attack on South Carolina State College resulting in the murders of three black students is scrupulously researched, offering the definitive account of one of the bloodiest tragedies of the Civil Rights era.

Tulia, Texas (2008/US/54min)
Dir: Cassandra Herrman & Kelly Whalen

A lone undercover cop causes forty-six people, nearly all Black, to be arrested for selling cocaine in a small farming town. It was heralded as one of the biggest drug busts in Texas history, until a team of lawyers set out to uncover the truth.

BEST FIRST FEATURE

13 Months of Sunshine (2008/Ethiopia/US/101min)
Dir: Yehdego Abeselom

The American dream and the immigrant experience collide in this heartwarming comedy focusing on the romance between two Ethiopian immigrants.

Family (2008/US/113min)
Dir: Faith Trimel

A coming-of-age dramedy centering on the lives of a group of lesbian friends who all experience continual strife in their lives as a result of being closeted, causing them to make a pact to come out together.

Happy Sad (2008/Trinidad & Tobago/105min)
Dir: Dianah Wynter

After her mother is sent to prison, profound changes occur in the lives of several people when 17-year-old Mandy Graham goes to live with her father’s dysfunctional family who she never knew. Soon passions are unleashed, laying bare souls and revealing long hidden secrets.

Nobody Smiling (2008/US/83min)
Dir: Jamal Dedeaux

A college teacher returns home to bury his murdered brother. While wrapping up his brother’s affairs, he is assaulted by gang members who give him 24 hours to pay his brother’s substantial debt. Given little choice, he is pulled into a world of illegal drugs, arms deals, gangsters and underground pornography.

Rain (2008/Bahamas/93min)
Dir: Maria Govan

When her grandmother dies, a girl goes to live in Nassau with the mother who abandoned her when she was a toddler. As her mother’s destructive lifestyle becomes evident, the girl must struggle to find her own place in the world. Stars CCH Pounder and Calvin Lockhart.

Run Baby Run (2007/Ghana/117min)
Dir: Emmanuel Apea Jr.

Set against the backdrop of drug dealing and trafficking, a London-based student gets mixed up in the drug trade when his visiting little sister picks up the wrong suitcase at the airport. A dramedy in which the repercussions of a bad decision result in a frantic rescue throughout the Ghanaian countryside. Best Feature, AMAA (African Movie Academy Awards).

Unequal (2009/US/94min)
Dir: John G. White

Due to her very vocal and public stance on celebrating the virtues not only of being celibate, but a virgin who’s “saving herself for marriage”, Candace becomes playboy Urban’s newest challenge. But will the hunter get captured by the game?