University of La Laguna to Host 'Africa on Screen' Event Exploring Modern African Cinema
The University of La Laguna’s Center for African Studies is hosting "Africa on Screen" this Monday, a free event featuring expert panels and discussions on the evolving influence of African cinema and digital culture.
This Monday, the University of La Laguna (ULL) will become a hub for exploring the audiovisual landscape of Africa. Hosted by the university’s Center for African Studies, the Africa on Screen event offers more than just film screenings; it provides a deep dive into the cultural and social forces shaping modern African creativity.
The event will be held in the Aula Magna of the César Manrique building at the Guajara Campus from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free, reflecting the organizers' goal to make these industry discussions accessible to everyone. The program begins with a live remote session from Zurich featuring filmmaker Damien Hauser and Marion Berger, head of programming for the Tarifa African Film Festival (FCAT), who will introduce the 2025 film Memory of Princess Mumbi.
The event is structured around two main discussion panels. The first features a diverse group of experts, including filmmakers Pape Bouname Loly, Santiago Zannou, and Mohamed Belhad, alongside producer Birane Amar Wane and representative Aminata Yakaar. Together, they will offer a multifaceted look at current film production. A second panel will then explore how these stories reach international audiences, featuring insights from Marion Berger and filmmaker David Baute of DOCanarias.
These discussions are timely, as African cinema has moved from the periphery to the center of global distribution. As these films continue to assert their unique identities against the dominance of major Western industries, academic forums like this are essential for understanding their impact.
The day concludes with a session led by writer and activist Chema Caballero, who will examine the intersection of popular culture and digital trends. By analyzing a selection of music videos, the event will highlight how Africa’s bold aesthetics and emerging talent are capturing massive global audiences, cementing African music as a powerful force in today’s digital world.