Somali film ‘The gravedigger’s wife’ wins big in Africa Film Festival
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The Somali film “The Gravedigger’s Wife” by Khadar Ahmed has won the highest award at the African Film Festival (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso.
Khadar Ahmed, a 40-year-old Finnish citizen, was not present at the ceremony last night to receive the Golden Stallion, but won her job over 16 other African films that competed for the top spot.
The other films in the competition were made by directors from 15 African countries.
The jury’s decision was led by Mauritanian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako, who won the coveted Cesar award for his 2015 film “Timbuktu”.
Sissako said: “The Golden Stallion is the highest award an African filmmaker can win. It is a great pleasure.”
The film won the New Filmmakers Award earlier this year from the Cannes Film Festival. It was Khadar’s first complete film.
Khadar Ahmed grew up in Somalia before moving to Finland, and his film was funded by institituions in Finland, France and Germany.
The African Film Festival, first held in 1969, is held every two years in the Burkina Faso capital, Ouagadougou.
The event is closely watched by American and European film companies looking for new films, ideas and professionals.
Watch Trailer Below
‘I wanted this film to be 100% Somali’: the fight to make The Gravedigger’s Wife
Somalia selects ‘The Gravedigger’s Wife’ as first ever Oscar submission (WATCH OFFICIAL TRAILER)
