23. Afrika Film Festival Köln - Eröffnungsveranstaltung

Movies, international guests, and live music

The festival will be opened by Ibrahim Snoopy, the patron of the 23rd Africa Film Festival Cologne. The international festival guests, who will already be in Cologne for the opening, will be welcomed by musician Onita Boone. Following the opening ceremony, a reception—sponsored by KIOSK – Arts Exchange e. V. and other partners—will take place in the foyer of the Filmforum.

Cinematic Kickoff

TAXI MOTO

Dir.: Gael Kamilindi; CH/F 2026; Original with English subtitles; DCP; 20 min.

Shortly before filming is set to begin, a filmmaker loses funding for his film because its queer theme—a love story between two men—meets with resistance. Unable to shoot the film at the originally planned location, he reimagines it in a new setting with a new lead actor. As the project evolves and the boundaries between reality and fiction blur, the film transforms into a visual exploration of intimacy, longing, and love.

In cooperation with the Institut français Cologne

Festival – Live Music

Onita Boone
(Germany)

Onita Boone is an extraordinary performer who first honed her musical skills in the church choir of her hometown in Newburgh, NY. Over the course of her career, she has continued to develop her talents as a singer, songwriter, composer, and coach, while also dedicating herself to charitable and humanitarian projects. Over the course of her more than 40-year career, she has traveled to all five continents, shared the stage with artists such as Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, George Michael, Udo Jürgens, and Sarah Connor, contributed to numerous recordings, and gained a loyal fan base in the worlds of soul, R&B, and jazz. She has lived in Germany since 1997 and is committed to diversity, equality, and social inclusion. 

Free admission 

*Translation into German Sign Language and English