Woubi Chéri

Africa’s first transgender film made a splash in the 1990s, collecting Best Documentary awards at festivals around the world.

Screening dates and booking

Check which tickets are still available across the festival – and find out about extra ticket releases and standby queues.

Credits

  • Directors

    Laurent Bocahut, Phillip Brooks

  • Ivory Coast-France 1998. 62min

  • Courtesy of

    California Newsreel

  • Language

    French

    With English subtitles

Access screenings

Tuesday 24 March 14:50
Descriptive Subtitles

Find out about booking tickets for access screenings

Introduction

This intimate and playful documentary gives a rare insight into the lives of transgender Ivorians in Abidjan in the 1990s, featuring a charming crew of friends: the gorgeous Barbara, President of the Ivory Coast Trans Association; Vincent, a Burkinabe immigrant who finds companionship in an elderly neighbour; and the defiant Laurent, chasing dreams of opening a pastry shop.

Wema Mumma

Screening with

Forbidden Fruit

  • Director

    Sue Maluwa-Bruce

  • Zimbabwe-Germany 2000. 30min

  • Language(s)

    TBC

The 2001 winner of the Berlinale Teddy Award, this bold film was the first representation of African lesbian desire on screen. Sue Maluwa Bruce’s docu-fiction is an imaginative cinematic piece that came out of Zimbabwe at the height of queer censorship. The filmmaker narrates the tale of Nongoma and Tsitsi, two residents of a rural village whose love endures against impossible odds.

Wema Mumma

Additional information

Please note that both Forbidden Fruit and Woubi Chéri are not restored and we will be screening both films from digital scans of the available materials. Although these materials are not optimal, we believe their value as documents of the history of LGBTQIA+ filmmaking makes for essential viewing and we hope you can enjoy this screening of otherwise rare films.

How to book

BFI Flare tickets start from £10, with concessions available for many screenings and discounts for BFI Members. Booking information and ticket prices.

If you’re aged 16 to 25, sign up for free to BFI 25 and Under for a chance to get £6 tickets to all screenings and events (subject to availability).

Missed out?

More tickets may become available for these screenings before and during the festival. Find out about extra ticket releases and standby queues.

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