Curating an African Film Festival in Scotland

Abstract

This article examines the role of participatory programming to increase access to marginalised socio-demographic groups in Scotland. It uses as case study the Africa in Motion (AiM) Film Festival and examines the progress the festival has made in developing Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) audiences by creating a less hierarchical and more inclusive festival structure through participatory programming. Applying the theory of cultural democracy, I assess how far these new curatorial methodologies have advanced access for marginalised BAME community groups, in programming and exhibiting African film. Framing this within the Scottish cultural and geopolitical landscape, the paper explores the strategies of a predominantly white programming team and the importance of recognising cultural hegemony for creating a more inclusive festival programme. I assess new trends within public funding organisations suggesting that the renewed focus on diversity has strengthened Africa in Motion’s position to cater to a broader socio-demographic audience base. This article proposes that the new methods of participatory programming used by the festival have enhanced cultural democracy, suggesting that the use of space, access and inclusion were paramount in achieving this.