African Movie Festival in Manitoba Comes to WAG-Qaumajuq

African films to be screened at Gallery this fall

Winnipeg, Manitoba, April 24, 2025: The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq and the African Movie Festival in Manitoba (AM-FM) are pleased to announce a new partnership that will see the Gallery host the film festival from September 15 to 21, 2025. This is the eighth annual festival, but the first that WAG-Qaumajuq will host.

AM-FM is the premiere event celebrating the best of African cinema, with films from across the African continent as well as from Africans in Canada, the United States, Europe, and beyond. WAG-Qaumajuq is pleased to partner with AM-FM in a celebration of Black culture and artistry.

The five-year partnership highlights shared goals of AM-FM and WAG-Qauamjuq, specifically the promotion of films created by Black artists, creating dedicated space for films and art created by Black artists, acknowledging the importance of sustaining and incorporating Black knowledge and artistry into institutional frameworks, and collaborating to ensure that Black people always feel welcome, represented, and included at WAG-Qaumajuq.

The deadline to submit a film to be considered for the festival is May 30, 2025. All Canadian and international filmmakers of African descent or films that explore African themes are welcome to submit to AM-FM. All full feature, medium length, and short films of all genres are welcome to apply and will be reviewed by an expert jury. The festival will screen 20-24 films this year. Additionally, Manitoba-based filmmakers of all backgrounds are invited to submit their work to Manitoba Gaze, a dedicated festival showcase taking place at WAG-Qaumajuq on September 18, 2025.

Tickets to the festival are on sale now, early bird pricing is in effect with special pricing for WAG-Qaumajuq members.

Quick Facts:

• WAG-Qaumajuq and African Movie Festival in Manitoba have signed a five-year partnership where the Gallery will host the film festival, running September 15-21, 2025.
• The eighth annual festival presents the best of African cinema, with films from across the African continent and from Africans in Canada, the United States, Europe, and beyond. Submit your film for the festival by May 30, 2025.
• Films of all lengths and genres are welcome to apply, pertaining to themes of Africa, a jury will select 20-24 films to screen this year.
• Manitoba-based filmmakers of all backgrounds are invited to submit their work to Manitoba Gaze, a dedicated festival showcase taking place on September 18, 2025.
• A market featuring African and Indigenous vendors will be held throughout the week at the Gallery. A full list of vendors will be available soon.
• Select films will screen at the University of Winnipeg, Université de Saint-Boniface, and University of Manitoba from September 15 to 17.
• Film awards celebrating the best of Manitoba Gaze and AM-FM will take place on September 21, 2025.
• Buy your tickets now to enjoy early bird pricing, WAG-Qaumajuq members also get a discount.

Quotes:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the AM-FM team and bringing this festival to the Gallery thanks to our five-year agreement. There are so many great stories to be told through film and I am grateful that WAG-Qaumajuq gets to play a part in amplifying African and Manitoban filmmakers. I encourage folks to submit their films and look forward to participating throughout the festival in September!”

— Julia Lafreniere, Head of Learning, Indigenous Ways & Equity, WAG-Qaumajuq

“Each year, AM-FM reminds us that African and Manitoban stories transcend borders—they resonate in every frame, every voice, every vision. Our new partnership with WAG-Qaumajuq marks an exciting chapter: a powerful alliance that opens doors for African and Manitoba filmmakers and storytellers to take centre stage. Together, we are amplifying these voices, lifting them higher than ever before.”

— Ben Akoh, Founder and President, African Movie Festival in Manitoba

In Partnership With

African Movie Festival in Manitoba

Associated Links

African Movie Festival in Manitoba
AM-FM x WAG-Qaumajuq

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Katryna Barske
Public Relations Officer
Winnipeg Art Gallery
204.789.1295
kbarske@wag.ca

About Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq
The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq is a cultural advocate using art as a catalyst for change. The Gallery features an impressive collection of over 27,000 artworks spanning centuries, cultures, and media, including the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. Each piece has its own story to tell. Sharing these stories with the world is at the core of WAG-Qaumajuq. This is an engaging, accessible space where visitors can experience art and learning in new ways. Principles of equity, care, trust, and responsibility guide the institution towards meaningful impact and transformation. To learn more, visit wag.ca.

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