Top 5: Africa in Motion

Paul Dale recommends five films not to miss at this year’s Africa in Motion (AIM) festival

My Secret Sky
Opening the fourth edition of the Africa in Motion film festival is the UK premiere of this South African film, the feature debut of filmmaker Madoda Ncayiyana. This magical realist tale of Zulu rugs, craft competitions and the need to climb out of rural poverty has been compared to Slumdog Millionaire.
8.30pm, Thu 23 Oct.

Mwalimu: The Legacy of Julius Kambarage Nyerere
UK premiere of this fascinating documentary about the father of the Tanzanian nation Julius Kambarage Nyerere who brought independence to Tanganyika before going on to forge the United Nation of Tanzania in 1964. If that wasn’t enough Nyerere was also a key player in the South African liberation movement. Not bad for a man who obtained a masters degree in history and economics at the University of Edinburgh in 1952. Director Lekoko Piniel Ole Livilal will be in attendance.
8.45pm, Wed 28 Oct.

From a Whisper
Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu’s interesting thriller looks at the aftermath of the US embassy bombing in Nairobi in 1998. Both contentious and empathetic the film begs some difficult questions. Kahiu will be in attendance and will be holding a masterclass at the Edinburgh College of Art on Fri 30 Oct from 2pm.
4.45pm, Sun 1 Nov.

Le Franc/The Little Girl Who Sold the World
Mini retrospective of two rarely seen films by the great Senegalese filmmaker Djibril Diop Mambety (Touki Bouki, Hyenas). Do not miss.
5.45pm, Sat 31 Oct.

The Athlete
Engrossing and powerful biopic of Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila who took the Olympic gold medal in 1960.
8.30pm, Thu 29 Oct.

AIM, Thu 23 Oct-Mon 1 Nov. www.africa-in-motion.org.uk