#StopBandAid

Find out how you can #StopBandAid, how we’re celebrating filmmakers who tell better stories about Africa and what our narrative champions have been up to lately.

What’s Happening at Africa No Filter

1. We helped Fuse ODG to #StopBandAid:?We believe in freedom of the press but we also want to stop the world seeing Africa as broken. That’s why we are supporting Fuse ODG's call for the BBC to not release its documentary celebrating Band Aid — a project that has historically dehumanized?Africans?and undermined their pride and identity under the guise of 'charity'. The Band Aid project, a legacy of the 1985 Live Aid concert, may have raised millions for relief?but it also cements an outdated, patronizing narrative of?Africa?as helpless. At?Africa?No?Filter, we believe?African stories?should celebrate creativity, opportunity, and progress —?not?perpetuate stereotypes. Join us in supporting the #StopBandAid campaign and Fuse ODG’s new single?We Know It’s Christmas, with proceeds funding innovative grassroots projects across?Africa.?Sign the?petition here,?leave a comment, and share the campaign on social media. Remember to tag @Africanofilter with the hashtags #StopBandAid #NothingToCelebrate #WeKnowItsChristmas.

2. We awarded the second Africa Narrative Change Film Award: We partnered with Cairo International Film Festival to award the second Africa Narrative Change Film Award to Mati Diop for Dahomey, a documentary that follows 26? royal treasures of the Kingdom of Dahomey as they leave Paris to return to their country of origin in the present-day Republic of Benin.? The award is aimed at promoting films within the African cinema industry that contribute to a better representation of Africa through stories that celebrate innovation, progress, and opportunity in the continent. It’s part of our mission to highlight and celebrate the power of film in telling better stories about the continent…and you can help us by nominating films that deserve a Africa Narrative Change? Film Award. Nominations can be made in English and in French. Watch the Dahomey trailer.

?3. We’re helping journalists and creatives write better stories about Africa: We designed the Africa Bias Buster to help you tell authentic stories about Africa. This learning tool helps you move beyond stereotypes by screening your text for writing biases and providing feedback and recommendations that help you tell stories with balance, context and nuance. All you have to do is register here. To use the tool, upload your file or paste your story in the text box to get detailed feedback and a rating out of 5.

?4. We were out and about: We were at the Lagos Fringe Festival, where we joined a panel discussion? on Investments and Funding in Africa’s Cultural and Creative Industries. We joined a panel discussion at the Unique Summit in Cape Town to talk about the power of storytelling in shifting narratives about business in Africa. We also attended the? AfriLabs annual innovation conference in Cape Town, where we spoke about the importance of telling more and better African stories. We unpacked African Representation in Film at the 45th Cairo International Film Festival. We were also at Beyond Conference, where we joined? global creative leaders to explore alternative integrated models that prioritise local value and a long-term approach to inclusive prosperity and wellbeing for urban populations.

? Keeping up with ANF Narrative Champions

?Are you a filmmaker? Does your film speak to the theme of ?#Feminism, #Democracy & #Ecology??CINEFEMFEST?is looking for films inspired by the theme, to be showcased at the 2025 edition of the African Feminist Film and Research Festival. The edition’s theme is??#Feminism, #Democracy & #Ecology. They’re looking for fiction, non-fiction , and documentaries of any length. Submission deadline: 7 March 2025.?More information here.

The?Women in Film Awards?(WIFA) is back for a sixth year and you can join them in celebrating the power and creativity of women filmmakers in Kenya by nominating a talented woman filmmaker.?The awards have been created to honour women filmmakers in many different categories: From Directors, Writers, Producers, Cinematographers, Editors and Sound Designers and other women who work within all areas of film production.?Click here for more information and to share your nomination. Nominations close on 15 December 2024.

Minority Africa?will be in conversation with?Mohamed Mohamud?as part of the?#BorderDialogues2024?event held at Aga Khan University, Nairobi on 29 November. Mohamed is the curator, writer, and the founder of Somali Sideways, a platform for sharing authentic stories of the Somali diaspora.?RSVP here.

The 11th edition of?Harare International Literature Festival?is currently underway in??Harare. This year’s edition celebrates the power of storytelling and its profound impact on people’s lives and communities through the theme of “Stories: The Measure of Life.” Featured authors and performers include??Dr. Lame Pusetso, Thabang Shai, Tawona Sithole, Sarungano, Victor Kunonga, and Hope Masike.

Shifting Narratives - documenting the narrative progress we’re seeing

Nigerian media specialist?Adebola Williams?is sharing stunning images of Lagos to reshape perceptions about Africa. Through his?#OnePositiveTale?campaign, he encourages people to let the pictures do the talking. “With every post, every image, we contribute to the data that will inform how we are seen and engaged globally,” he said.

Ethiopian Prime Minister?Abiy Ahmed?said that Band Aid 40 could do more harm than good because while the intention to raise money for charity is admirable, the cause has not evolved with the times as it still tells the story of Africa through poverty and lack of agency.

Non-profit?APOPO?is training African giant pouched rats to help in the global fight against illegal wildlife trade, which is estimated to be worth up to $23 billion per year.?