African films to battle it out for an Oscar

By Evan-Lee Courie: @evan1985

9 Oct 2012

In the run up to the 85th Academy Award ceremony taking place in 2013, it has been reported that a record number of 71 submissions have been submitted to compete for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Of this record number, four of the films are from Africa, with Kenya submitting its very first film.

African films to battle it out for an Oscar

The films submitted from Kenya, Algeria, Morocco and South Africa will find out if they have been nominated for an Academy Award on 10 January 2013.

Films in the running

The films from Africa in the running are:

Nairobi Half Life (Kenya) is directed by David "Tosh" Gitonga. It tells the story of a young, aspiring actor from up country Kenya and his dreams of becoming a success in the big city, Nairobi.

Zabana! (Algeria) is directed by Said Ould Khelifa. This is a biographical film on the life of Algerian freedom fighter, Ahmed Zabana, whose execution in 1956 by French colonial authorities ignited the "Battle of Algiers" - and the crucial phase of Algeria's struggle for independence.

Death for Sale (Morocco) is directed by Faouzi Bensaïdi. This film tell the story of Malik, Allal and Soufiane,three young petty criminals, who decide to rob a jewellery store. The attempted robbery goes all wrong and everything starts to fall apart.

Umfaan (Little One) (South Africa) is directed by Darrell James Roodt. This drama tells the tragic story of a 6 year old girl who is left for dead. A middle ages women finds her and rushes her to hospital where her life is saved. It is ultimately a tale of love and redemption and hope.

Winners of the Academy Awards will be announced on 24 February 2013.