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Culture & the Arts 

The African Cultural Foundation has, for nearly three decades, been a vibrant platform celebrating African and African diaspora creativity through festivals, literature programs, film screenings, artist residencies, and community dialogues. Its flagship afriCult Festival brings together music, performance, visual arts, and critical conversation, fostering cultural exchange and creating space for diverse voices.

 

Complementing this, the annual African Literature Days highlight contemporary African storytelling, offering Austrian audiences the opportunity to engage with dynamic literary voices. Through thoughtful film programs, including screenings and panel discussions of works such as OMEN, DAHOMEY, and My Father’s Shadow, the Foundation explores themes of identity, representation, and social discourse while centering the perspectives of African and diaspora filmmakers.

 

In addition, the artist residency program provides free studio space and mentorship for emerging BIPOC creatives, reinforcing ACF’s commitment to nurturing artistic growth and community engagement. Across all its projects, the Foundation continues to champion African culture, foster dialogue, and create meaningful spaces where art, reflection, and cultural exchange thrive.

afriCult Festival — Celebrating African Culture (Annual)

Since its origins in the 1990s, the afriCult Festival has grown into one of the Foundation’s flagship cultural expressions — combining music, performance, visual arts, community celebration, and critical dialogue.

This annual festival highlights African creativity while forging meaningful cultural exchange between Austria and communities of African descent. Each year, afriCult’s dialog programs explore issues of identity, rights, heritage, and artistic expression, making space for diverse cultural voices. 

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Artist Residency — Supporting Emerging BIPOC Creatives (2025)

In 2025 the Foundation launched its NIA Empowerment Space Artist Residency in Vienna — offering free studio space, visibility, and community interaction for six emerging BIPOC artists.

This residency underscores ACF’s dedication to creating free, supportive space for up‑and‑coming artists working across disciplines.

African Literature Days — Voices in Storytelling (Since 2014)

In recent decades, the world of African literature has experienced a transformative development that has significantly influenced the global literary market.

A dynamic group of young authors has emerged, eager to share their education and experiences shaped by life in 21st-century Africa.

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Film Screenings & Cultural Dialogues (2024–2026)

The Foundation has hosted several thoughtful cinema events that combine film with reflection and community exchange:

  • “Unpacking the White Gaze: OMEN Film Screening and Panel Discussion” (June 2024) — A powerful conversation on cultural representation and the gaze in global cinema, featuring film OMEN and expert panelists. 

  • “A Night of Reflection and Dialogue: DAHOMEY Screening and Panel Discussion” (January 2025) — Documentary screening followed by an engaged dialogue on history, restitution, and identity. 

  • Black History Month Event — My Father’s Shadow & Community Discussion (February 2026) — Highlighting contemporary African cinema and sparking community-led conversation on masculinity, culture, and belonging. 

These events reflect ACF’s commitment to using film as a medium for cultural expression, critical inquiry, and community engagement across artistic and social boundaries.

You would like to collaborate with us or have a project idea?

At the African Cultural Foundation Vienna, cooperation is at the heart of our work. Over the years, we have collaborated with numerous organizations, institutions, and individuals on a wide range of topics. These partnerships have allowed us to create meaningful projects and long-lasting impact.

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