Heritage Africa tells the story of Kwesi Atta Bosomefi, the perfect „native“ civil servant, whose elevation to the post of district commissioner in the colonial administration causes him to repress his African identity. He changes his name to Quincy Arthur Bosomfield and rejects part of his African culture for every British value he learns. Gradually he rises through the educational and religious regimen of British colonialism, only to humbly rediscover his African heritage.

Winner of the grand prize at the 1989 FESPACO film festival, Heritage Africa is a drama about betrayal and gradual awakening.

When the medium of film expanded in the early 20th century, it was employed among other things for the purpose of promoting Europe’s “civilizing mission” on the African continent.

Since the independence of African countries in the 1950’s and 60’s, filmmakers from Africa are correcting this image and writing their own stories. Beyond the maps focuses on film productions from various genres, dealing both with the resistance against European colonialism on African soil and with the conference itself. Apart from film screenings there will be Q & A sessions with the filmmakers as well as invited experts.