The African Film Festival (TAFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing mentorship programs for underserved aspiring filmmakers of African descent; encouraging the art of storytelling; and teaching African culture through motion pictures, arts, and storytelling. TAFF serves as a Dallas premiere for films and arts by local and international independent filmmakers and artists.
TAFF was created to give the Independent Creative that has interest in African art and stories, an international platform; hence, expanding the market and creating networking opportunities for seasoned and aspiring practitioners to commiserate on ideas and forge working relationships.
The festival also appreciates the importance of Arts in storytelling. From Drawings (storyboards) to Music (movie soundtracks) to Fashion (costume) to Creative Body Paintings (makeup); TAFF celebrates these important components of film and incorporates Arts to the Festival.
Filmmakers and Artists have opportunities for professional feedback by judges and curators. Each film will be reviewed by a panel of judges made up of industry professionals from various countries. Our team include the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Panel of Judges, Planning Committee, Staff Members, and Volunteers.
Mission
Our mission is to contribute to the growing diversity of the city of Dallas by teaching, mentoring, and celebrating African culture through storytelling, motion pictures and arts. We want to raise awareness to Social, Economic, Ethnic, and Health issues that affect people of African descent; and to provide an equal platform for Independent artists to showcase their work on a global scale.
Vision
Our vision is to provide mentorship programs for underserved aspiring filmmakers of African descent; to encourage the art of storytelling; and to empower filmmakers.
The Team
Our team constitutes of the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Ambassadors, Staff, Panel of Judges, Planning Committee, and Volunteers. Read our BOARD DIVERSITY POLICY.
Kelechi Eke
Founder
Kelechi is a Software Engineer and award-winning filmmaker. He is the creator of multi cultural film streaming platform,
ROOTFLIX.
Actress Yeharewerk Gashaw
TAFF Ambassador, Ethiopia
Ambassador Gashaw was the First Ethiopian International model, and also
the first Black Actress in the Popular Soap Opera ‘DALLAS’.
Uche Jombo
Advisory Board, Nigeria
Uche Jombo is multiple award-winning filmmaker and Nollywood icon. She is the Executive Director of UcheJombo Studios.
Yvonne Monalisa
TAFF Ambassador, Tanzania
Monalisa is award-winning actress and a pioneer of Tanzania's movie industry. She is the Director of Afriacan Women Arts & Film Festival.
Alhagie Manka
TAFF Ambassador, Gambia
Alhagie Manka is a renowned filmmaker and CEO of State of the Mic in The Gambia, where he represents
The African Film Festival.
Maddie Mitchell
TAFF Ambassador, Australia
Maddie Mitchell is a Zambian-Australian author and Filmmaker in Queensland, where she represents The African Film Festival.
Dr. Chris Chinwe Ulasi
Advisory Board, Nigeria
Dr. Ulasi is a professional communicator and the department director of Radio, Television and Film at Texas Southern University.
Lenora Casmore
Dallas Community Liaison, USA
Casmore, a Texas native, is a systems analyst by profession and an educational consultant on life matters. She holds an MBA.
Sir Benjamin A. Onyango
Advisory Board, Kenya
Sir Benjamin is a Hollywood actor from Nairobi. He is known for his work in Tears of the Sun and
God's Not Dead.
Ruth Ndulu Maingi
TAFF Ambassador, Kenya
Ruth Maingi is a Kenyan Filmmaker, Costume Designer, and Humanitarian. She is the Founder of RuMa Fashions.
Tony Asankomah
Film Critic, Ghana
Tony is a Ghanaian film critic and works with GhMoviefreak, the only online film review platform in Ghana.
Molatelo Mainetje
TAFF Ambassador, South Africa
Molatelo is multiple award-winning television news and current affairs producer and documentary filmmaker.
Olugbenga Ajayi
TAFF Finance
Olugbenga is a Certified Professional Accountant and serves at the Director of Finance and Accountant to TAFF.
Cassie Kabwita
TAFF Ambassador, Zambia
Cassie Kabwita is a multi award-winning Filmmaker and one of the pioneers of Zambian Film Industry. She represents TAFF in Lusaka.
Samuel Kizito
TAFF Ambassador, Uganda
Samuel is a Ugandan Multi-Award Winning Producer, Screenwriter, Director, Cinematographer, Editor & Founder of KYOOTO.
Soleil Diva
LIAISON Ambassador, Congo DRC
Soleil Diva is award-winning filmmaker and musician. She serves as our French translator and handles TAFF affairs in Congo DRC.
Nene Nwoko
Voice of TAFF, United States
Nene Nwoko is a Nigerian American Actress, Model, and Voiceover Artist. She is the voice behind TAFF announcements.
Dr. Yazomam Ibekwe
Stage Director, Nigeria
Dr. Yaz is a Pharmacist and filmmaker. He is the founder of Townkrier Media, and the co-founder of ATeam branding company.
TAFF TEAM
TAFF became the first African film festival in the city of Dallas and was held in July 2016 with great reception by the African diaspora, the great State of Texas, the city of Dallas, and suburbs around the Dallas metroplex.
The Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, recognizes The African Film Festival with a powerful letter for the effort the organization is making in Bridging Cultures through Film.
Proclamation of The African Film Festival was given by the Mayor of Dallas, Michael S. Rawlings, during the inauguration at the Dallas City Hall on July 1st, 2016. Councilmen, Filmmakers, Community leaders, dignitaries, Supporters, the African community, and friends of Africa attended the unique culturally celebrated inauguration.
City representatives present the proclamation document to the founder of The African Film Festival, Kelechi Eke.
Nollywood was represented by the festival host, Uche Jombo; and Patience Ozokwo, recepient of 2016 African Film Legend Award. Ethiopian Human Rights Activist and recipient of 2016 African Film Leadership Award, Yeharewerk Gashaw, was also in attendance.
