Recap of Africa Night at 2025 Barbados Independent Film Festival: Vibrant Showcasing of African Films and Cultural Marketplace

The 2025 Barbados Independent Film Festival (BIFF), which opened on January 29, continued Saturday night with the inaugural Africa Night.

As guests arrived at the Barbados Museum they were welcomed by the rhythmic beats of dancers and drummers from the Haynesville Youth Club who lined the archway at the entrance ushering patrons into the bustling marketplace.

Among the diverse array of products on display were handcrafted earrings by Emme Rose, which were a hit with the ladies, and the recently launched skincare line by Simply Ashyara of House of Ash. Before heading into the Trevor Carmichael Walled Theatre, patrons mingled while savouring rum punch paired with the traditional dish of jollof rice and plantain.

The screenings officially opened with the collaboration film of the year, De Hot Pot, which immediately immersed the audience in a world of compelling narratives. Throughout the two-hour screening which followed, viewers were entertained by a series of 10 powerful short films, drawn from across the African continent, that explored themes, from the trauma of sexual violence to the challenges of battling cancer.

There was an increase in entrants for this year’s festival with 60 films featured. Co-host of the evening, Sanna Allsop said, “The reason we have Africa Night this year is because this year we saw an unprecedented number of entries from around the world. We received 15 submissions from Africa in general, and about nine of those films were done by Film Lab Nigeria. We were really honoured and surprised to have received them.”

Kevin Farmer, Deputy Director at the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, the other host of the evening, reflected on the impact of the films, noting, “There are those cultural resonances that we have either forgotten on the one hand or don’t know on the other and seeing films like this, the retelling of traditional folk in a modern way, sparks those particular memories or makes you recognise something in ourselves, so I think that is extremely important.”

Acknowledging Sir Trevor Carmichael, co-founder of the BIFF, Farmer expressed gratitude saying, “Sir Trevor, I thank you again for your vision and Lady Carmichael ensuring that the vision continues to soar.” Looking ahead, he added, “We are hoping that we can have this again next year, it all depends on those submissions.”

The programme included a brief awards ceremony. The award for Best Feature Length Narrative went to All I’ve Got and Then Some, directed by Rasheed Stephen and Tebhen Dean. Best Director (Shorts) was awarded to Mary Celia Walker for The Roads We Travel. Best Documentary (Shorts) was presented to Kayleigh Kimora for Sansedai, while Norwegian Democrazy earned the award for Best Feature Length Documentary. Honourable mentions were given to MADULU– The Sea Man from St Vincent and the Grenadines, and The Barbadian Matriarchy of Fishing, a locally produced film.

The festival will conclude on Sunday with Shorts at the Museum, promising another night of thought-provoking cinematic experiences. (STT)