The cast is strong and well played by Newton and Ejiofor. Mama is played excellently by Onwenu giving a convincing portrayal of an African local woman. From her facial expressions, quiet mutterings to herself and clever lines like “I am too old to die young”, Onwenu brings a unique charm to the film.

Also, it’s  refreshing to see things through the directorial eyes of an African (Biyi Bandele) rather than a Westerner looking in , and as a result, the viewer is invited to understand some of the specific cultural themes of Nigeria at this time: an older African woman from a village struggling to connect with her son’s educated girlfriend from the capital; the mother then finally asking Olanna if her family will accept the “bride price” (another way of saying she approves and is happy for them to marry); and the extreme loyalty of Ugwu, Olanna and Odenigbo’s “house boy” (servant).

Unlike other films of the same genre, it does not demonise or elevate political characters. It allows actual footage of the Nigerian-Biafran war to bring the political tone, and instead focuses on the personal impact of this terrible time on these four young professionals.

It’s a  debut film  for  Bandele, and while there are a few shortcomings in the flow of the narrative (it’s a weighty book that probably needs a TV series rather than a 111 minutes of screen time), he does a decent job of bringing Adichie’s famous novel to the screen. (Words: Sharon Gaisie)

Half of a Yellow Sun is released in cinemas March 2014 

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We Are The Freaks

Not everything taking place in the festival is pure film watching though. There are industry classes to help upcoming filmmakers with important skills such as making the leap from short to full length feature. Alternative filmmaking events such as Emerge, an afternoon full of talks, interactive installations and screenings will explore the future of filmmaking with the use of new and developing technology and will also be taking place during the festival. The diversity of genres, topics and techniques on display at this festival is just incredible. Whether you’re interested in making films, or just watching them, they’ll be no shortage of talent for you to admire here. (Words: Nori Bell-Bhuiyan) On from 25th June – 10th July. For more information visit: www.eastendfilmfestival.com

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There’ll be bright geometric print cushions from Camille Walala, an interior designer stocked at fashionista favourtite Darkroom, the new ready to-wear collection from Isobel Webster (designer of outrageous bodysuits for artists including Jessie J and The Correspondents), delicate insect jewellery from concept jewellers Thor & Wistle, and a whole host more. With over 40 designers it’s unlikely you’ll get bored, but just so it’s not all about the shopping, entertainment ranges from interactive performers dishing out hot mulled cider and roasted chestnuts, live music from Secret Garden Party favourites The John Langan Band, The Turbans and wonderful food by Moro. (Words: Jane Duru) 

Secret Emporium runs 15 -16 December at Factory 7, Hearn St EC2A 3LS. For more info, visit www.secretemporium.com

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Taking place at the Horse Hospital which prides itself on risk, experimentation and innovation, it all kicks off with a short film competition. Featuring seven films, the winner will selected by a secret ballot carried out by the crowd. Rather confusingly, there is an opening party the following evening (an avant garde take on lineality, perhaps?) and the fair on offer here highlights quite what a varied community has built over the last three years. A knees-up that promises Nói Kabát laying waste to your ears (a band who draw on constructivism, futurism and noise theory) alongside writers who do readings standing on their heads highlights that this is not only a festival about film, but a forum for discussion, art, and experimentalism – and that sounds like a fine way to spend the next few days.  (Words: Ed Spencer)

The Underground Film Festival runs from December 6th – 9th. For more info visit www.londonundergroundfilmfestival.org.uk

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The rest of the festival’s programme is filled with films with uber cool premises. String Caesar places legendary Shakespearean actor Derek Jacobi alongside real life prisoners in a modern retelling of the Bard’s Julius Caesar. In an equally daring venture, the renowned minimalist composer Michael Nyman attempts to make an updated version of Dziga Vertov’s revolutionary documentary Man with a Movie Camera. The selection of documentaries in this year’s festival is especially strong, with Me@ the Zoo offering an intriguing look in the endlessly self-recorded life of  transgendered man Chris Crocker, and Zero Killed giving us a rare view of the darkest corners of the human mind as director Michal Kosakowski asks people from various backgrounds about their murder fantasies and then gives them the chance to stage them as short films.
Add to the mix a list of international shorts with A-list stars such as Charlotte Rampling, Jenifer Lopez, Malcolm McDowell and Phil Jupitus and retrospectives that celebrate the genius of the French avant guardist Chris Maker (whose short film La Jetée became the inspiration for Terry Gilliam’s Twelve Monkeys) and the eccentric work of Trent Harris, best known for Plan 10 From Outer Space, a low- budget sensation with the unbeatable combo of aliens and Mormons and you will understand what a diverse film festival experience feels like. (Words: Apostolos Kostoulas)
The 20th Riverside Film Festival takes place from 26 September-7 October at the West End’s Apollo Cinema. For further information visit www.raindance.co.uk

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SONBURN directed by Ella Carey (Tonto Films) 15.44 Australia

The festival will also host discussions and debates around filmmaking at locations across London, including the uber trendy Hospital Club in Covent Garden. It’s a real networking event with so many names and faces from the circuit involved. The judging panel is an array of big film cheeses, including Metro film editor  Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, Sight and Sound magazine’s web editor Nick Bradshaw as well as film programming big wigs like Jason Wood from the Curzon Cinemas.  The organisers are doing this on a strictly not-for-profit basis so they only have your best interests at heart and the most honest advice to impart. Opening night promises to be a special event with the screening of Shut Up and Play the Hits – a film that traces the fascinating and bizarre decision taken by dance-punk group LCD Soundsystem to disband at the height of their career. Expect to be inspired. (Words: Laura Thornley)

For more info visit: www.rssf2012.com

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So thank God for the London Independent Film Festival, now in its 9^th year and still going strong. The premise is simple: a platform for first- and second-time filmmakers to showcase low-budget work that otherwise wouldn’t get shown due to the difficulty of distribution. For many it’s the only chance they have for exposure, and the schedule is jam-packed with names you wouldn’t have heard of. But that’s part of the beauty of it – you choose films because the plot sounds interesting, not because of the star-studded cast.

Plus, with most screenings being short films, themes ranging from sci-fi to horror to documentary, and free entry (apart from a few feature-length films which charge a minimum £2 for the pleasure) chances are, something will appeal like the award-winning Dimensions: A Line, A Loop, A Tangle of Threads (pictured). So before you head down to the multiplex for the latest release, check out the offerings at ROXY Bar & Screen or Shortwave Cinemaand see if you can’t get your film fix there instead. (Words: Jane Duru) 

The London Independent Film Festival runs 12 – 23 April. For more info, visit  www.londonindependent.org

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Nobrow Shop and Gallery is based at 62 Great Eastern Street.  For more info, visit www.nobrow.net. 

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There has been no shortage of CGI, PhotoRealistic RenderMan animations of late… the world’s awash with them. If you, like me, have a yearning for something more old school on occasions, then maybe this flick is for you; a beautifully hand drawn and painted animation from the directing partnership of Sandra and Paul Fierlinger.

The storyline is a British classic – the relationship between man and dog. The film takes its inspiration from a book written back in 1956 that ruminates on the love between the author, JR Ackerley and his unruly Alsatian, Tulip. It’s a gentle and heart warming tale of how a quirky intellectual such as Ackerley makes sense of the ups and downs of man and beast living in close quarters.

At a count of 60,000 drawings in total – it was no mean fete, taking the pair a total of 3 years to produce (7 days a week and no holidays!). Paul Fierlinger has confessed to drawing 12 – 16 hours a day… now that’s dedication. There are some familiar voices in tow, a must for all animations nowadays, expect to hear Christopher Plummer, the late Lynn Redgrave, and Isabella Rossellini. With this production using no paper throughout, its even eco-friendly – need we say more? (Words: Laura Thornley)

In cinemas now.

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