Ep. 85: What are the Biggest Challenges Facing African Cinema?

TIFF Long Take

This week on of TIFF Long Take, Rob and Geoff sit down with South African film producer, and founder of the production company ‘Big World Cinema’, Steven Markovitz. Over his thirty years in the film business, Markovitz has produced over 40 films in on the continent of Africa, and has seen his fair share of challenges trying to get these projects financed, and distributed around the world. One of his most recent productions, the Wanuri Kahiu directed 'Rafiki', was embroiled in controversy after it was was banned in its home country of Kenya. The ban sparked international outrage among supporters of LGBTQ rights, and has since been lifted.

Markovitz talks about the events that inspired the founding of his film company, how his films strive to challenge the “dominant African narrative”, and how he’s managed to identify talent across the continent.

He also talks the most exciting young filmmakers working in Africa, the difficulties he’s experienced trying to market African films to an international audience, and the saga behind making and distributing 'Rafiki'.