The 4th edition of the NBO Film Festival will return to Nairobi from 3rd to 14th November, 2021 in a hybrid programme of physical and online events. The return of the Festival comes after a hiatus in 2020 caused by restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Festival aims to develop and promote the film industry in Kenya and become a hub for discovering emerging homegrown cinematic talent for creatives from the Global South.
The event will host local festival enthusiasts, filmmakers, actors, media and industry professionals to celebrate cinema over the course of 10 days. The 2021 edition will further bring local, regional and international communities together to discover Kenya’s best films.
Among exciting undiscovered works representing powerful storytelling, this year’s programme of films includes the following.
- The Letter directed by Maia Lekow and Chris King
- The Nest Collective’s new time-hopping feature film The More Things Change directed by Akati Khasiani and George Mars Aloo.
- Philippe Lacôte’s epic, Night of Kings.
Commenting on this year’s edition, Festival Director Sheba Hirst said, “Kenya has a vibrant and imaginative creative culture, and we are extremely honoured and proud to be sharing this rich culture with audiences after a difficult year. In a time when change continues, we hope that the Festival will inspire hope and healing through art.”
“The Kenyan voice is a unique one that has been underrepresented internationally. It is time to share more of the creative boldness that is going to transform the world’s current notions about African stories and cinema, and we hope that NBO will encourage and deepen understanding and connection,” said Artistic Director Mbithi Masya.
The Festival is supported by the Goethe Institut and The French Embassy in Nairobi.