Rafiki

Rafiki

Premiering in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, Rafiki made history as the first Kenyan film to screen at Cannes—and as a groundbreaking work of queer African cinema. Directed by Wanuri Kahiu, this vibrant and courageous love story defies both cultural taboos and cinematic expectations, offering a bold celebration of individuality, hope, and self-discovery.

Set in Nairobi, Rafiki follows Kena and Ziki, two young women who fall in love despite the political rivalry between their families and the deep homophobia of their community. Their connection, bright and defiant, becomes both a refuge and a rebellion—a reminder that love, even when forbidden, can be an act of resistance.

Kahiu’s direction infuses the film with color, rhythm, and warmth, embracing the Afrobubblegum aesthetic she helped define—one rooted in joy, beauty, and the unapologetic right to dream. With luminous performances by Samantha Mugatsia and Sheila Munyiva, Rafiki captures the universal ache of first love while confronting the social and political forces that seek to suppress it.

Tender, brave, and visually radiant, Rafiki stands as a landmark in contemporary African cinema—a film that insists love is not a crime, but a kind of freedom.

Screening With:

Seeing Sound

Student Shorts Showcase

Seeing Sound is a short documentary about a young musician that is unable to read sheet music and could care less if his socks match or not. The story showcases his skills on various musical instruments including the accordion.

5 mins
Canada, 2018
Dir. Alec Jordan
Language: English