Rome, 25.09.2024– The award ceremony for the 10th Edition of the Harambee International Competition: “Communicating Africa” will be held in Warsaw on November 19th. This biennial award, dedicated to documentary films and video clips, aims to offer a more authentic vision of Africa. The initiative seeks to highlight not only the challenges of the Continent but also its hopes, cultural richness, and ongoing commitment to development, bringing to light “the greatness of small stories.”

THE WINNERS
A total of 187 submissions were received from around the world, and the jury selected the following winners in their respective categories:

Category “Professional Audiovisuals by Individual Creators”
MathMoms – Where Children Come to Learn by Gerald Schank
Motivation:
For its extraordinary portrayal of female empowerment through education. The work shows how maternal love and community initiatives can create safer and more trusting spaces for learning, even in the most challenging environments. The documentary tells the profound impact of mathematical knowledge and personal growth, offering hope and transformation for the future of communities.

Category “Professional Audiovisuals by Non-Profit Organizations”
The Strength of the Unseen: Sierra Leone, The Right to Dream by Pedro Fernandez Quiroga, Taio Gardey, Sol Buscaglia
Motivation:
For its touching representation of resilience in post-conflict Sierra Leone. The film highlights the profound impact of education in transforming lives marked by violence. Through clear storytelling, the documentary offers a message of hope, strength, and solidarity, highlighting the often forgotten struggles of African nations in rebuilding.

Category “Young Creative Audiovisuals”
The Heartbeat of Budaka by Lornah Hope Apiyo
Motivation:
For its powerful message of hope and the transformative role of individuals in rural African communities. The film emphasizes how personal commitment can promote progress even in the face of poverty, offering an inspiring portrait of Africa’s untapped potential.

SPECIAL MENTIONS
The jury decided to award special mentions to the following documentary films:

• Life In Limbo by Michael Ansah: for its deep exploration of the lives of refugees, highlighting the resilience and aspirations of those facing immense challenges, with a message of hope and empowerment.
• Playground by Wiktor Karbowiak and Maciej Pieczykolan: for its authentic representation of volunteering and community collaboration, highlighting the often-overlooked right of children to play and its positive impact on the community.

AWARD CEREMONY
The Polish Harambee Committee is in charge of the award ceremony that will be held on November 19th in Warsaw, where the winners will be celebrated, and attendees will have the opportunity to view the award-winning works.

Click here to visit the web section dedicated to the Award and to watch the winning documentaries.
For more information: comunicazione@harambee-africa.org