Anita’s Africa Directed By Beverley Reid

Shane: Tell us about your film?

Beverley: “Anita’s Africa” is a documentary for children which profiles 10 year old Anita Kemirembe and her Ugandan village.

S: How did you come up with the idea for the film?

B: I had been in Africa in 2003 shooting a one hour documentary and got to know the children and villagers of Gayaza. I thought it would be interesting to come back one day and tell the story of one of the kids. The film is the first in a series called “Same Same But Different”which will highlight other children in the developing world

S: Was this a school project?

B: No.

S: How did you find your cast?

B: I had met Anita on my first trip to Africa in 2003. When we returned to shoot the film in 2006, she was ready to go!

S: How long did the film take?  (From conception to final edit)

B: Three years.

S: What was the most difficult part of the shoot for you?

B: When we arrived in Uganda in 2006, the federal election was underway and the atmosphere in Kampala was tense.  There were riots and disruptions daily and we had to be careful.

S: (If not a premiere)Tell us about the films festival experience so far?

B: “Anita’s Africa” won Best Documentary at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, Best Child/Youth Production at the Columbus International Film and Video Festival, and a Gold Remi as Best Children’s Film at the Houston International Film Festival. It was also a Golden Sheaf Award Finalist as Best Children’s Film at the Yorkton Short Film and Video Festival and was selected to the Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival, the San Francisco International Children’s Film Festival, and the Victoria Film Festival.

S: What has been your most interesting Q&A so far?  What was your favorite question?  How was the dialogue afterwards?

B: My very favorite Q & A period happened after the film was screened before a large audience of children at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival. The kids were so curious about the African kids and had all kinds of questions about how they looked and how they lived. The best part for me was that I couldn’t have anticipated any of the questions!

S: What films or filmmakers inspire you?

B: I am inspired by filmmakers who dare to make political films with strong social statements.

S: What made you decide to become a filmmaker?

B: I started out as a writer and one day was asked to put together a script for a friend. One thing led to another and twenty years later, I’m still at it.

S: What is next for you?

B: I’ve started shooting the next film in the “Same Same But Different” series entitled “Rivers and Paddies: Vuong’s Vietnam” and will travel to Vietnam for the month of August. Hopefully, the third in the series, “Paula’s Peru”, will start production in November.

S: What is next for the film?

B: The film has been invited to several other festivals over the next few months. It is slated for a television broadcast this fall and is being distributed in the non-theatrical market.

S: If asked to give one piece of advice to a new filmmaker making their first short film… What would it be?

B: Just do it! Buy, beg or borrow a camera and make your dream a reality.