Planet Africa program
September 7 – 17, 1995
ABOUT
PLANET
AFRICA
25
25th ANNIVERSARY
SEPTEMBER, 10 - 19, 2020 @ TIFF!
Planet Africa 1995 Inaugural Poster Photography: Michael Chambers | Design: Sabaa Quoa, Boom Design Inc.
Planet Africa 25 Programme features selection of films and filmmakers that embody the spirit of Planet Africa present day. Dawn Porter’s “The Way It Is”, Charles Officer’s “Akilla’s Escape”, Dieudo Hamadi’s Downstream to Kinshasa, and Tommy Oliver’s “40 Years A Prisoner”
Gaylene Gould, Planet Africa Programmer | The Black List Conversation with Rick Clifford @ TIFF
Planet Africa 1995 Inaugural Poster Photography: Michael Chambers | Design: Sabaa Quoa, Boom Design Inc.
September 2020 marked a significant milestone in the rich and remarkable history of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as it celebrated 25 years since the founding of Planet Africa, the groundbreaking programme dedicated to showcasing films and filmmakers from Africa and the African Diaspora. Founded by Cameron Bailey, now CEO of TIFF, in 1995, Planet Africa ran until 2004, creating an important platform for these voices and stories within the international festival landscape.
A quarter-century after its inaugural edition, the anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on the programme’s history, celebrate its enduring influence and consider its continuing relevance to Black cinema and cultural representation. Taking place amid the global Black Lives Matter uprisings and the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration unfolded during a time of profound change, as communities navigated new realities and ways of connecting. Against this backdrop, TIFF reaffirmed the power of cinema to bring people together, amplify Black voices and create spaces for shared stories, dialogue and connection across communities and borders.
Through a special anniversary programme of film screenings, conversations and community events, Planet Africa 25 honoured the vision that began in 1995, celebrated the filmmakers and communities who shaped its legacy, and renewed its spirit for a new generation of Black cinema.
CONVERSATIONS, COMMUNITY AND THE PLANET AFRICA LEGACY
The anniversary also brought together members of the original Planet Africa team, filmmakers and cultural leaders to reflect on the programme’s beginnings, achievements and enduring legacy.
PLANET AFRICA 25: ORIGIN STORIES
On September 13, 2020, Cameron Bailey joined June Givanni, Gaylene Gould, maxine bailey, Hayet Benkara, Karen Carter, Grecia Mayers, Orla Garriques and Clement Virgo for a special online conversation exploring how Planet Africa began, the challenges and successes of building the programme, and what its legacy meant in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement.
BLACK FILM NOW
On September 16, 2020, the Black Film Now conversation brought together the four selected filmmakers Dawn Porter, Charles Officer, Dieudo Hamadi and Tommy Oliver with Cameron Bailey to discuss the vitality, creative possibilities and challenges of contemporary Black filmmaking.
Together, these conversations celebrated not only the films and filmmakers associated with Planet Africa, but also the people, relationships and collective efforts that helped shape its history.
PLANET AFRICA 25: SPECIAL FILM PROGRAMME
In a meaningful full-circle moment, Cameron Bailey returned to curate a special Planet Africa film programme in honour of the 25th anniversary, bringing the section back to TIFF and celebrating the vision, stories and filmmakers that shaped its legacy.
As part of TIFF 2020, four films were selected for the Festival’s Official Selection under the banner of Planet Africa 25, reflecting the breadth of stories and perspectives represented in the anniversary programme.
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The Way I See It | Dawn Porter | USA
An intimate portrait of White House photographer Pete Souza and his reflections on presidential leadership, democracy and American society.
Friday, September 11, 2020 · 6:00 PM · Online at Bell Digital Cinema -
Akilla’s Escape | Charles Officer | Canada
A Toronto cannabis dealer confronts his past after a robbery brings him face-to-face with a teenage boy caught in a cycle of violence.
Saturday, September 12, 2020 · 9:00 PM | Sunday, September 13, 2020 · 9:15 PM -
Downstream to Kinshasa (En route pour le milliard) | Dieudo Hamadi | Democratic Republic of the Congo/France/Belgium
Survivors of the Six-Day War journey to Kinshasa to demand recognition, justice and reparations for their suffering.
Monday, September 14, 2020 · 6:00 PM · Online at Bell Digital Cinema -
40 Years a Prisoner | Tommy Oliver | USA
Mike Africa Jr. fights to free his parents and seek justice for the MOVE community following the 1978 Philadelphia police raid.
Thursday, September 17, 2020 · 6:00 PM · Online at Bell Digital Cinema
Together, these films offered audiences diverse perspectives on identity, history, justice and the human experience, reflecting the creative vitality of Black cinema.
PLANET AFRICA FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT
Charles Officer held a special place in Planet Africa’s history as the first Canadian filmmaker featured in the programme. In 2020, his final directed film, Akilla’s Escape, screened as part of Planet Africa 25, a poignant moment whose significance became clear only in retrospect. Charles passed away in 2023, at just 48, leaving an extraordinary legacy in Canadian cinema and in the hearts of so many.
His memory and contribution live on through the annual Charles Officer Legacy Award at TIFF. Read the Full Tribute →
CBC's Amanda Parris and TIFF's Cameron Bailey share their picks
Check out these must-see films by Black directors.
Spike Lee’s ‘David Byrne’s American Utopia’ opens the 45th Toronto International Film Festival. Thu, Sep 10, 8pm Visa Skyline Drive-In at CityView Wed, Sep 16, 6pm Online at Bell Digital Cinema #TIFF20
Halle Berry’s directorial debut. Sat, Sep 12 & Fri, Sep 18 #TIFF20
Club Quarantine founder D-Nice and Anthony Mandler, celebrated filmmaker and former music video director. Sat, Sep 12 Online at Bell Digital Talks
Spike Lee’s ‘David Byrne’s American Utopia’ opens the 45th Toronto International Film Festival. Thu, Sep 10, 8pm Visa Skyline Drive-In at CityView Wed, Sep 16, 6pm Online at Bell Digital Cinema #TIFF20
PLANET AFRICA PARTY (VIRTUAL EDITION)
Sunday, September 13, 10pm | FREE
In celebration of what was often called the hottest night of the Festival, TIFF presents Planet Africa 25: The Return of the Planet Africa Party, where
movie stars mingled with local artists, international filmmakers, and Toronto’s Black community on the dance floor. This year join legendary DJ Dave Campbell and a special guest from B.L.A.C.K. for a dance party live-streamed.
PLANET AFRICA LEGACT ARCHIVAL WEBSITE
The 25th anniversary celebrated Planet Africa’s history and reaffirmed the importance of preserving Black film and cultural heritage.
Created by Orla Garriques as part of the 2020 anniversary, Planet Africa Legacy was established as a digital time capsule and archive documenting the programme’s history, films, filmmakers and enduring contribution to African and diasporic cinema, ensuring its stories and achievements remain accessible to future generations.
The anniversary marked an important milestone in honouring Planet Africa’s history while creating a lasting resource connecting its legacy with contemporary Black cinema. More than 25 years on, that legacy continues to evolve.
#TIFF20 | #PlanetAfrica25 | #PlanetAfricaLegacy
