This year’s line-up includes the special screening of a historical film, ኂሩትአባቷማንነዉ? (Hirut AbatwaMannew?), which is being screened outside Ethiopia for the first time.
LONDON, 3 October 2022 – habeshaview’s much-anticipated Ethiopian Film Week is set to return to London for its third year this month with a line-up of original and acclaimed Ethiopian films. Kicking off on 14 October, the screenings will take place at RichMix Cinema in East London and will feature three independent films from Ethiopia.
The star of this year’s line-up will be the world premiere of the historical Ethiopian film, ኂሩትአባቷማንነዉ? (Hirut AbatwaMannew?), which is being screened outside Ethiopia for the first time.
Translating to “Hirut, who is her father?”, the film, which is Ethiopia’s first black and white 35mm movie, tells the story of a young woman who overcomes many challenges including the stigma of being a single mother, and is forced to fend for herself in the conservative society of Ethiopia in the mid-60s.
Tigist Kebede, Operations Director of habeshaview, said:
“Ethiopian Film Week has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2020 and has become a firm favorite of the Ethiopian community in the UK. So, following our previous successes, we are delighted to be working with RichMix Cinema once again to present this year’s line-up of three Ethiopian films.
“This year, we are also working closely with the Addis Abeba Cinema Administration Agency, who have graciously agreed for us to take Ethiopia’s first black and white film, Hirut AbatwaMannew?, out of Ethiopia for the first time.
“We are truly honored to be able to bring this iconic film to the UK 57 years after it was first shot and hope that the Ethiopian community in the UK and the British public will appreciate just what Ethiopian cinema has to offer by joining us in celebrating our local filmmakers and actors.
“Ethiopia has a long history of filmmaking, and the film industry is rapidly evolving. There are so many amazing actors, filmmakers, and directors, and through habeshaview, we hope to use our platform to showcase their incredible, untapped talents and create a space where they can exhibit their work.”
The recent rediscovery of Hirut, which is also considered Ethiopia’s first feature-length film, 57 years after it was produced, has generated significant interest in Ethiopia and abroad. In Ethiopia, there was an exclusive screening at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa. In London, the film screening will take place on Saturday 15th October in the presence of VIPs and dignitaries, guests, representatives of the Government, and the Ethiopian community. Saturday’s program will also include special industry guests from Ethiopia who will take part in a Q&A session after the screening.
Also screening during the three-day event will be Simet, a historical drama set in the famous one-hundred-year war of the princes (Zemene Mesafint) in mid-18th and 19th century Ethiopia, and Rees Felagi, a story of the journey taken by three friends who graduate from university but find themselves jobless in the city of Addis Abeba.
To find out more or to buy tickets, visit the RichMix Cinema website at: https://richmix.org.uk/cinema/ethiopian–film–event–2022/
-ENDS- Notes to Editors:
For press inquiries, please contact:
press@habeshaview.com / +44 7503634288 Background:
The habeshaview Ethiopian Film Week will take place from 14th October – 16th October. The 2022 line-up is:
Hirut Abatwa’mannew is the story of a young woman who overcomes many challenges including the stigma of being a single mother who is forced to fend for herself in the conservative society of Ethiopia in the mid-60s.
Simet is a historical drama set in the famous one-hundred-year war of the princes (Zemene Mesafint) in mid-18th and 19th century Ethiopia. It is a story about power, betrayal, love, revenge, and forgiveness.
Rees Felagi is a story of the journey taken by three friends who graduate from university but find themselves jobless in the city of Addis Abeba. It is about their story of love, family, and friendship.
About habeshaview:
Established in 2015, habeshaview, is headquartered in Virginia, USA, with offices in London, UK, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It also has a data center and technology development office in The Netherlands.
habeshaview, a multi-faceted media, entertainment, and advanced technology company has developed a user-friendly OTT platform and apps to provide a premium viewing experience that includes live news channels, entertainment channels, Video On Demand, games, audio channels with a catch-up service of original content sourced from a wide variety of studios worldwide with multiple language options at accessible and affordable prices.
habeshaview is also an international film distributor, currently for Ethiopian-made content, taking selected films to international festivals and theatrical releases in Europe and North America to promote high-quality and original films worldwide. In the long term habeshaview plans to distribute content from the rest of the African continent fulfilling its vision to become a leader in the Pan African entertainment and streaming industry.
For further information, visit our website: www.habeshaview.com
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