Netflix, in collaboration with UNESCO, is set to launch African Folktales Reimagined, a collection of six short films from across African is set to launch globally on 29 March 2023. The ambitious project which aims to preserve and promote African culture and folklore by adapting traditional stories, described as “tales as old as time” into modern short films helmed by a new generation of six storytellers come together.
The anthology of six short films was launched as part of Netflix’s partnership with UNESCO to support the next generation of storytellers who were provided with resources including a $90 000 budget and creative guidance by established filmmakers as mentors to bring their stories to life. The emerging filmmakers were selected in 2021 following a call for submission that resulted in over 2000 applications from all over the continent. The six emerging storytellers from Nigeria, South Africa, Mauritania, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will see their respective short films, make their debut on Netflix, globally.
Meet the six filmmakers and their stories
- Anyango and the Ogre by Voline Ogutu, Kenya – With the backdrop of a childhood folktale, 13-year-old Otis struggles to protect his younger siblings from a monster that lives inside their home.
- Katera of the Punishment Island by Loukman Ali, Uganda – Abandoned on an island, a woman grieving the loss of her baby exacts revenge on the powerful man who put her there.
- Zabin Halima (Halima’s Choice) by Korede Azeez, Nigeria – With 99% of the world population uploaded into virtual worlds, a young girl from a secluded Fulani village inadvertently elopes with an AI to escape an arranged marriage.
- Katope by Walt Mzengi Corey, Tanzania – A young child with magical origins sets out on a journey to help end the drought that is devastating the community – even if it means risking their own life.
- Enmity Djinn by Mohamed Echkouna, Mauritania – Three generations after he was last summoned, an ancient Enmity Djinn finds himself in an unfamiliar city confronted by a familiar foe.
- MaMlambo by Gcobisa Yako, South Africa – The mystical river being, MaMlambo, watches over the sacred waters of discarded bodies.
Each filmmaker was partnered with a local production company and under the guidance of Netflix-appointed supervising producer, Steven Markovich from Big World Cinema and industry mentors Bongiwe Selane (mentor to Gcobisa Yako); Jenna Bass (mentorto Korede Azeez); Pape Boye (mentorto Loukman Ali); Femi Odugbemi (mentor to Mohamed Echkouna); Leila Afua Djansi (mentor to Voline Ogutu) and Tosh Gitonga (mentor to Walter Mzengi) who provided guidance and nurtured the filmmakers on their journey to bring their stories to life.
“UNESCO is proud to present the tales of Africa, reimagined by its emerging, homegrown talents. At the crossroads of tradition, innovation, heritage and creativity, African expressions in the 21st century are as diverse and dynamic as its people. The UNESCO-Netflix partnership represents our shared commitment to the audiovisual industries of Africa, which have the potential to generate US$20 billion in revenues annually. African creativity is a force for sustainable development, and we cannot wait for the audiences around the world to feel its unstoppable energy,” says Ernesto Ottone R., the UNESCO Assistant Director – General for Culture.
“We are excited to finally bring this anthology of short films created by the next generation of African storytellers to Netflix members around the world,” says Tendeka Matatu, Netflix’s Director of Film in Africa. “This initiative is a testament to our ongoing efforts to strengthen the pipeline of African storytelling and to include voices from underrepresented communities. We’re grateful to our partners at UNESCO who walked this journey with us to provide an opportunity for the six emerging African filmmakers to create and showcase their reimagined folktales to the world, in their own languages, so that more people can see their lives reflected on screen.”
Watch the trailer below.
Update: Read our review of all the six short films here.
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