Founded in May 2002 by a small group of graduate students at the University of Cambridge – headed by Lindiwe Dovey – the initial aim was to screen the best of contemporary African films. However, as part of these screenings further goals were acknowledged, such as increasing understanding and awareness of African and black culture in the UK, and providing a UK audience for African filmmakers, while also offering an important counterbalance to the Western media’s stereotyping of Africa. The festival has won a reputation as a high-profile and important cinematic, entertaining and educational event in Cambridge.
