Two African films have been selected to screen in the Centrepiece Programme at the 2024 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The films are The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos (a feature by Nigeria’s Agbajowo Collective) and Front Row (a feature by Algerian director Merzak Allouache).
Part thriller and part magical realism, The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos is a riveting indictment of the unchecked development and forced evictions besetting Africa’s largest city. It stars Temi Ami-Williams, best known for her role in the critically acclaimed Eyimofe (This Is My Desire).
Front Row, Allouache’s 19th feature film, is a chaotic family dramedy about feuding matriarchs behaving badly at the beach. Staring Fatiha Ouared, Nabil Asli and Bouchra Roy, it celebrates Allouache’s adept imagination for eclectic characters in a heartwarming overture to the quirks and quandaries of shoreline social life.
TIFF’s Centrepiece Programme features 43 titles from filmmakers representing 41 countries. The selection includes 18 World Premiere titles from Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and USA. Centrepiece honours and celebrates global cinematic achievements, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in a dynamic array of contemporary films. The programme is a reflection of TIFF’s commitment to providing an elevated platform for international cinema, acclaimed titles from festivals around the globe, highly anticipated premieres from Canadian and international talents, and the latest work of influential filmmaking luminaries.
The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival will take place from September 5-15, 2024.
Click here to read more about TIFF’s Centrepiece Programme and the full selection.