Created in 1995 by Cameron Bailey, Planet Africa was a Festival programme dedicated to cinema from Africa and the African diaspora. Programmed by Cameron Bailey, followed by June Givanni and  then Gaylene Gould, it ran as a part of the TIFF Festival for 10 years.

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As we celebrate its founding a quarter century ago, TIFF also marks 2020's Black Lives Matter uprisings with special events under the banner of Planet Africa 25. 

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TIFF has selected four new films for our Official Selection that embody the spirit of Planet Africa:

• Akilla’s Escape | Charles Officer | Canada 

• Downstream to Kinshasa (En route pour le milliard) | Dieudo Hamadi | The Democratic Republic of the Congo/France/Belgium

• 40 Years A Prisoner | Tommy Oliver |  USA

• The Way I See It | Dawn Porter | USA 

 

​Wednesday, September 16 | Planet Africa 25 Panel: Black Film Now

Black Film Now brings these four filmmakers together with Bailey for a conversation on the vitality and challenges of contemporary Black filmmaking. 

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Sunday, September 13 | Planet Africa 25 Panel: Origin Stories

Origin Stories, will take place,  in which Bailey and the team that built Planet Africa will, looking at what the programme’s legacy means today. 

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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. Join legendary DJ Dave Campbell and a special guest from B.L.A.C.K. for a dance party live streamed from a secret location. Audiences can join by going to XXXXX at 10pm EDT.

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Planet Africa Legacy website Launch

The Planet Africa Legacy website is a digital time capsule, a chronology of one of the most influential decades of Black Film History.  Celebrating the films, filmmakers and legacy as part of the 25th Anniversary of PLANET AFRICA during TIFF'20.

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Cameron Bailey

Artistic Director & Co-Head TIFF

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#PlanetAfrica25

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