Journey of FRK: From Africa to Europe
It originated from the plains of Africa, traveled to America, and then to Europe. This has been the journey of the inspiring biopic, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. FRK has not only gone far and wide, but it has also received applause, honors, and multiple awards.
Opening Night at Filmoteca de Catalunya
On June 12, 2025, the FRK Wallay Film Festival Barcelona screening at Filmoteca de Catalunya set the tone for Africa’s stories in Europe. The eighth edition of Wallay! opened with the powerful biopic, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. The Filmoteca screened films from Madagascar, Sudan, Mozambique, Nigeria, Zambia, Senegal, Angola, and Mali. But Nigeria’s FRK shone a bright light that could not be dimmed.
Festival Theme: Stories of Freedom & Humour
The organizers of the Wallay! Film Festival described it as an event that offers a journey through the diversity of the African continent through fiction, documentary, comedy, and cinematic experimentation. The festival is designed to move and stimulate curiosity, and seeks to open windows to topics such as women’s activism, postcolonial legacies, and local narratives.
Wallay! chose Funmilayo Ransome‑Kuti as its opening film to emphasize the festival’s theme, “Stories of Freedom & Humour.”
Bolanle Austen‑Peters’ Introduction
Director and producer Bolanle Austen‑Peters introduced the film to an international audience. In her presentation, she highlighted the educational function of Nigerian films, which help people to know more about the country and its history. She said:
“There is a place for us, and we believe that participating in festivals like this also helps to educate the rest of the world about us and our cinema, and our film industry.”
Audience Reactions & Legacy
The FRK Wallay Film Festival Barcelona premiere pulled a diverse crowd—filmmakers, critics, Nigerian and Spanish dignitaries, and diaspora guests—all drawn by its celebration of resilience and social justice. The movie not only educated the Barcelona audience, it created an unforgettable experience for them. Faces stayed glued to the screen, and some people also captured the moments.
Why This Screening Matter
The premiere of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti at Wallay! Film Festival was not just about a film; it was about legacy, resilience, reawakening, and experiencing history in the best way possible. It was a tribute to a woman who refused to be kept quiet, and a celebration of the storytellers heralding this phenomenon.
As African cinema continues to transcend boundaries and break barriers, this screening stands as an epic moment that will be remembered not only in Barcelona but in history.
0 Comments