Paper short abstract:

The presentation will describe experiences on peacebuilding through activities of the MUICA African Film Festival involving African cinema with Colombian audiences, and how they can promote creative storytelling, reflections on identity, representation and resilience in a country affected by war.

Paper long abstract:

MUICA African Film Festival holds screenings of films from Africa and the African diaspora in several Colombian cities, in independent cinemas, the urban periphery, public libraries, schools, prisons, areas affected by internal displacement and armed conflict that the country experienced for five decades. Most of these areas have a majority of Afro-Colombian citizens, which are 25 percent of the population, and are one of the most marginalised and one of the communities most affected by the civil war. MUICA brought African cinema to most of these audiences for the first time, though a programme following criteria of diversity of region, historical period, gender and narrative genres. It has an approach on peacebuilding as its relates the African films with Colombia’s current realities in the context of post-conflict transition to peace. Local artists, journalists and human rights defenders discuss the films in their respective regions, stimulating reflections on the current context but also on the deep historical, social and cultural connections with African countries. There is a disconnection between Colombia and African countries despite commonalities with some of them in terms of post-colonial and post-conflict approaches, cultural expressions and social issues. MUICA builds of these links contributing to a South-South dialogue, to try to reflect on a future where a stable and long-lasting peace is possible. The presentation will describe experiences on peacebuilding through activities involving African cinema with Colombian audiences, and how they can promote creative storytelling, reflections on identity, representation and resilience in a country affected by war.