SPOTLIGHT: AFRICAN HOLLYWOOD WRAP-UP

This year has seen a remarkable increase of African actors in  Hollywood films. From Chiwetel Ejiofor's painstakingly beautiful and poignant role in Steve McQueen's "12 years A Slave" to David Oyelowo's powerful performance in Lee Daniels "The Butler", it seems as though African actors and films alike are finally getting the attention and respect of Hollywood.

Both Idris Elba and Chiwetel Ejiofor,  two TDB faves and my absolute obsessions, recently sat down with the Queen of daytime TV, Oprah Winfrey, to discuss their respective  films. Idris Elba, who is currently starring in  the Nelson Mandela bio pic " Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" discussed Mandela's legacy  and what it meant for him to portray such an honored and beloved man. 

Here's a clip of Idris recounting his first night in Nelson Mandela's prison cell.

SPOTLIGHT: MAHEN BONETTI'S AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL

Sick and tired of seeing how the world depicted Africa, Sierra Leonean Mahen Bonetti took matters into her own hands and created one of the most celebrated and influential film festivals to date.

SPOTLIGHT: TAKA TAKATA

Over the weekend, we caught the first screening of "Taka Takata", a film we sponsored for The Pan African Film Festival. The film, a comedy made by first-time director Damir Radonic, tells the tale of a local street soccer/football team in Johannesburg, that ranks at the bottom of their league. In order to remedy the situation, the owner's slacker brother, Rasta, decides to get a player from Brazil (played by Trevor Noah), but things don't go exactly as planned.

COMEDY CORNER: TREVOR NOAH

Trevor Noah is a 28 year-old South African comedian, who has been creating quite a name for himself. He has sold the most stand up comedy DVD's in Africa; has made multiple appearances on " The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"; and has even hosted his very own late night talk show.

SPOTLIGHT: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Seven filmmakers.Seven films. Seven cities.  One goal: to have their films debut at this year's Durban International Film Festival.

FRENCH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Debuting back in 1986, the French International Film Festival celebrates the best and brightest of French cinema. 

The eight day festival,  held in Namur, Belgium, allows directors, producers, writers, and performers, who are involved in French-speaking cinema, the opportunity to showcase their films and offers several awards, including cash prizes for Best Film and Special Jury Award. 

Nabil Ayouch