Alexander Scott is back with another debrief from the trenches of New York's independent film festivals. This installment comes straight from the first week of The 32nd African Film Festival in New York City, hosted by Film at Lincoln Center.

Feature films cited:

• Freedom Way (2024, dir. Afolabi Olalekan)

• Mwezé (2019, dir. David-Pierre Fila)

• Identity Pieces (1998, dir. Mwezé Ngangura)

• Memories of Love Returned (2025, dir. Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine)

• Tree of Authenticity (2025, dir. Sammy Baloji)

Short films cited:

• Grandma (2024, dir. Ahmed Samir)

• Nwa (Black) (2024. dir. Hans Augustave)

• Sister Salad Days (2024, dir. Adesola Thomas)

• Where Are You From? (2025, dir. Devin Powell)

• Green Bay (2024, dir. Shawn Antoine II)

• Run Like We (2024, dir. Rhys Aaron Lewis)

• Blinded By the Lights (2025, dir. Francis Y. Brown)

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