Afro Prairie Film Festival Debuts Feb 23

Posted on

Marisolle Negash

There’s a new festival bringing film to the screen in Winnipeg this month. 

Black Space Winnipeg has teamed up with Winnipeg Film Group to present the Afro Prairie Film Festival in celebration of Black History Month. Running February 23 through February 25 at Cinematheque, the inaugural festival is the first Black-centric film festival across the Prairies that is dedicated to the support and exposure of emerging and established Black filmmakers across Canada. 

The festival will show a variety of films, Q+As, and workshops, and feature guests Amandine Gay (Ouvrir la Voix), Charles Officer (Unarmed Verses), and filmmaking legend Charles Burnett (The Killer of Sheep, To Sleep With Anger).

Singer/songwriter Marisolle Negash brings her signature sound and powerful songwriting to the opening night reception at Platform Gallery on February 23. No stranger to the music scene, Negash is a vocalist, pianist, and songwriter the weaves together her years of classical training with her R&B influences. She’s hit plenty of stages this year including coveted spots at the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, Wall-To-Wall Festival, Spur Festival, and more.

"The Afro Prairie Film Festival was inspired to support emerging and established Black filmmakers across the country,” says Black Space Winnipeg’s Alexa Potashnik. “I think often times people forget the rich and diverse Black community that exists in Winnipeg and across the prairies. This is the first Black film festival in central Canada and I hope this will open the door for many opportunities to up and coming Black filmmakers. People can expect a variety of films that explore the Black experience, workshops and live entertainment opening night. I think people are hungry for something new in Winnipeg and this definitely is something we need more of." 

Get the Afro Prairie Film Festival details via the Facebook event and tickets via the Winnipeg Film Group

Read more news