Welcome to the 35th Annual Cascade Festival of African Films!

In celebration of Black History Month at Portland Community College

Free and open to the public

It is with immense pride and gratitude that we celebrate this milestone, honoring three and a half decades of bringing Africa's diverse stories to Portland and beyond. From humble beginnings, CFAF has grown into a vibrant cultural event, powered by a dedicated volunteer committee and unwavering community support. Our mission has always been clear: to celebrate the beauty, complexity, and endurance of African cultures, to challenge stereotypes, and to foster understanding through the art of cinema.

This year, we pay tribute to the lives of long-time visionaries who shaped our festival, including founding member Linda Elegant and long-time supporter and committee member Bob Holmström. Their passion for African storytelling laid the foundation for a festival rooted in community, education, and inclusion; which is a testament to the dedication of the mostly volunteer-run committee festival.

Over the past 35 years, we have screened hundreds of films, welcomed filmmakers from across the continent, and facilitated discussions that transcend borders and generations. From our dynamic Opening Night to Women Filmmakers Week, CFAF has become a gathering place where people from all walks of life connect and celebrate African cinema.

This festival is a tribute to the filmmakers whose creativity brings these stories to life and to the audiences whose enthusiasm sustains our mission. We invite you to immerse yourself in the magic of these films, engage in thought-provoking conversations, and experience the richness of Africa through African lenses.

Thank you for joining us on this remarkable journey as we celebrate the longest-running African film festival in the United States. Let's honor this legacy and continue to share these stories for generations to come.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, January 31, 2025

6:30 pm: Everybody Loves Touda at the Hollywood Theatre, 102 min.
Opening Celebration

Saturday, February 1, 2025

2:00 pm: Far from the Nile at PCC Cascade, 99 min. - Saturday Matinee
7:00 pm: The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos at PCC Cascade, 101 min.

Thursday, February 6, 2025

7:00 pm: On Becoming a Guinea Fowl tomorrow, 95 min.

Friday, February 7, 2025

7:00 pm: Mami Wata at PCC Cascade, 107 min.

Saturday, February 8, 2025

2:00 pm: Aya of Yop City at PCC Cascade, 84 min. - Saturday Matinee
7:00 pm: Dent pour Dent - A Tooth for a Tooth at PCC Cascade, 84 min.

Thursday, February 13, 2025

7:00 pm: Ernest Cole, Lost and Found at PCC Cascade, 105 min.
Thursday Night Documentary Series

Friday, February 14, 2025

7:00 pm: Xale at the Hollywood Theatre, 101 min. - Centerpiece

Saturday, February 15, 2025

2:00 pm: Tableau Ferraille at PCC Cascade, 92 min. - Saturday Matinee
7:00 pm: Madame Brouette at PCC Cascade, 104 min.

Thursday, February 20, 2025

7:00 pm: Bobi Wine: The People's President at PCC Cascade, 113 min.
Thursday Night Documentary Series

Friday, February 21, 2025

7:00 pm: Sadrack at PCC Cascade, 94 min.

Saturday, February 22, 2025

2:00 pm: Hajjan at PCC Cascade, 117 min. - Saturday Matinee
7:00 pm: Front Row at PCC Cascade, 86 min.

Thursday, February 27, 2025

7:00 pm: Dahomey at PCC Cascade, 67 min.
Thursday Night Documentary Series

Friday, February 28, 2025

7:00 pm: Shimoni at PCC Cascade, 97 min.

Saturday, March 1, 2025

7:00 pm: Under the Fig Trees at PCC Cascade, 92 min.
Closing Night

Date: January 31 - March 1, 2025

Location: Various Venues In Portland, OR

Click here for more information