MORE than 30 films and documentaries from across Africa are set to be shown at the Filmhouse as part of its second annual Africa in Motion film festival.

After the massive success of last year's event, the cinema was keen to put on another festival, and has managed to collect films that span more than half a century of filmmaking in Africa.

This year's event is dedicated to the memory of Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene, often hailed as "the father of African cinema", who died in June aged 83.

Two of his best films will be screened, with Xala, the story of a businessman who is "cursed" with impotence opening the festival next month.

There will also be a screening of Black Girl, his first film and one of the first feature films ever made in sub-saharan Africa.

Made in 1966, it tells the tragic tale of Diouana, a young Senegalese woman who finds work as a childminder for a French couple in Dakar, only to find things don't always turn out as planned.

The festival will also examine the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the British Slave Trade, and there is a spotlight on films from Ghana, to mark 50 years of the country's independence from Britain.

There is also a section focusing on women directors, which will include the UK premieres of two contemporary films by female filmmakers.

Throughout the festival, which runs from October 25th to November 4th, the Filmhouse cafe bar will host performances of African musicians, and work by internationally acclaimed Nigerian cartoonist Tayo Fatunla will be on display.

For more information, visit www.africa-in-motion.org.uk [3]

Tickets are now on sale. Book early to avoid disappointment!