Ethiopian Filmmaker Beza Hailu Lemma to Premiere ALAZAR at Toronto International Film Festival

Toronto, ON  — Vision Newspaper is excited to announce the North American premiere of ALAZAR, the latest short film from celebrated Ethiopian filmmaker Beza Hailu Lemma, at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Following its world premiere at the prestigious Critics Week during the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, ALAZAR will be showcased at TIFF with the following screening dates and times:

Thursday, September 5th
Press + Industry Screening
Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto
8:30 AM
Tuesday, September 10th
Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto
6:45 PM
Saturday, September 14th
Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto
8:45 PM

ALAZAR immerses audiences in a tranquil Ethiopian farming community disrupted by the mysterious disappearance of a recently buried man. The film follows Tessema, the son of the missing man, as he challenges the miraculous explanations offered by the local church and uncovers the tensions between traditional beliefs and the harsh realities of rural life.

The film is produced by Tamara Dawit of Gobez Media—known for amplifying African stories through projects like Finding Sally and Made In Ethiopia—in collaboration with Martin Jerome of Les Cigognes Films and co-produced with Kidam and Condor. It presents a rich exploration of Ethiopian culture and spirituality, with Lemma’s narrative delving into the intersection of faith and nature.

Beza Hailu Lemma, whose previous work includes the acclaimed documentary short KATANGA NATION (2022), explains, “Ethiopia is a land where diverse beliefs and the rhythms of nature intersect. ALAZAR aims to explore these complexities and offer a profound glimpse into the soul of a community navigating through challenging times.”

The film also sets the stage for Lemma’s upcoming feature, THE LAST TEARS OF THE DECEASED, which will continue exploring the themes introduced in ALAZAR. The film’s striking visuals are brought to life by cinematographer Giorgos Valsamis, known for award-winning films such as THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE SKY AND US (2019) and I AM AFRAID TO FORGET YOUR FACE (2020).

ALAZAR represents a significant milestone in African cinema, showcasing Ethiopian storytelling on the global stage and highlighting the collaborative efforts driving the continent’s cinematic renaissance.

SOURCE Dalton Higgins PR

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