WSOA Film & TV in collaboration with the Wits City Institute are delighted to invite you to their Second Special Screening Event 120 Years of Cinema in Africa. In May 1896 - at the same time as the ‘Scramble for Africa’ was underway American magician Carl Hertz screened the first films in Africa at the Empire Palace of Varieties in Braamfontein, Johannesburg as part of his magic act. To mark this anniversary there will be a screening of the shorts made by British Film pioneer R.W. Paul. An international panel will discuss the significance of this event for critical scholarship around the city of Johannesburg, Africa, cinema and modernity.

The screening will be introduced by Professor Twane Kupe, Media Studies and Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of the Witwatersrand

Followed by a Panel Discussion Chaired by  Pervaiz Khan (WSOA) with John Akomfrah – filmmaker / artist , London (via Skype), Professor Aboubakar Sanogo - Carleton University, Ottawa (via Skype and Lindelwa Dlamba (WSOA)

The screening of the short films by will be accompanied by new compositions by WSOA music students. For queries and to RSVP contact: Patricia Hadebe patricia.hadebe@wits.ac.za

5.15pm for 5.30pm Thursday 18 May 2016 Apollonia Theatre, Second Floor, WSOA