Category Archives: Current Work

African Women Film Series

The University of Michigan’s Center for the Education of Women, Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, and African Studies Center are pleased to present the 2018-2019 African Women Film Series. These exciting films celebrate women’s voices through rich, dynamic, and intimate visual portrayals. Please join for the following screenings:

November 25, 2018 at 7pm: Vibrancy of Silence by Marthe Djilo Kamga and Frieda Ekotto

March 19, 2019 at 6pm: L’Arbre sans Fruit Fruitless Tree) by Aïcha El Hadj Macky

April 3, 2019 at 6pm: Notre Étrangère (The Place in Between) by Sarah Bourain

All films will screen in the Michigan Theater Screening Room at 603 E. Liberty St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

Frieda Recognized with Honorary Degree at Colorado College

On May 19, 2018, Frieda was recognized at her alma mater Colorado College with an honorary degree in Doctor of Letters. In the video below, she is being introduced by Devaka Premawardhana, Professor of Religion. When he states that Frieda is “the first female African student in our institution’s history” students in the audience can be heard cheering. Premawardhana goes on to note that Frieda “exemplifies through her own border crossings the themes of freedom and confinement at the heart of her work.” He concludes by acknowledging her deep pursuit of her scholarly achievements. She has risen to become one of the most preeminent critics of Francophone literature in the world. As he bestows upon her the honorary degree, the schools acknowledges her many academic advances since her time as a student at Colorado College.

Click here for more photos of the commencement ceremony

Please join us for the world premier of Vibrancy of Silence: A Discussion with My Sisters, a film by Frieda Ekotto and Marthe Djilo Kamga.

This is a 90-minute documentary film that highlights the creative achievements of six Sub-Saharan African women in various intellectual and artistic fields, elaborating a visual archive of unprecedented quality and scope. The film reflects on the complex nature of contemporary Sub-Saharan African cultural production by women, prompting the audience to better understand and theorize the new paradigms and voices it highlights. Followed by a panel discussion with the five women profiled in the film, including:

Marthe Djilo Kamga

Frieda Ekotto

Koyo Kouoh

Zolan N’Gono

Marie Sabal-Lecco (Ajomo)

There will be three screenings:

Tuesday October 10th at 4pm (Followed by a panel) at Rackham Ampitheatre // 915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Wednesday October 11th from 6pm-8pm at The Neutral Zone // 310 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Thursday October 12th at 3pm at The Residential College Keane Theater East Quadrangle // 701 E. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Vibrancy of Silence Facebook