Maona presents: KUMBA Short Films15

KUMBA: A Celebration of African Short Films

Kumba (a Shona word from Zimbabwe meaning “home”) is a vibrant African short film programme that connects African and Diaspora communities through the power of storytelling. More than just a cinema experience, Kumba is a bridge to home, celebrating identity, culture, and heritage through authentic African narratives.

Curated by Tatenda Jamera of Maona Art, this carefully selected lineup showcases diverse stories that highlight the richness of African traditions and lived experiences, fostering a sense of belonging across continents.

Beutset
Director: Alicia Mendy | 🇸🇳 Senegal | 29 mins | 2024 

When a parasite contaminates all the drinking water in Dakar, pills are developed to neutralise it. But for Alioune, a young man who can no longer afford them, the symptoms – madness and insanity – begin to take hold. As time passes, he realises he has never felt more clear-minded. His journey becomes one of political and spiritual awakening.

The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Sèyí Àjàyí
Director: Abbesi Akhamie | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 16 mins | 2024

In the whimsical Pan-African society of Alkebulan, brilliant but overlooked scholar Dr. Constance Moumie discovers her fiancé, Sèyí Àjàyí, is secretly engaged to Princess Ada, sending the town into chaos. With the help of her best friend Bibi, she hatches a bold plan to expose her unfaithful lover at his engagement ceremony, seeking both justice and long-overdue recognition.

Alazar
Director: Beza Hailu Lemma | 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | 35 mins | 2024

A farming community in Ethiopia is shaken when the body of a family patriarch mysteriously vanishes from his grave. In this deeply moving drama, director Beza Hailu Lemma explores the existential questions that follow, leaving the village searching for meaning in the aftermath.

Bahr
Director: Belal Abusamra | 🇪🇬 Egypt | 8 mins | 2024

Grieving the loss of his wife, a father struggles with faith as he longs for a chance to reconnect with her. Through a poetic journey, Bahr portrays death not as an end, but as a threshold between two worlds.

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Maona presents: KUMBA Short Films between April 29, 2025 and April 29, 2025.

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What else is on?

Tomorrow (Monday 7th July)

17:45

Slade In Flame 12A
1h 30m
At the height of glam rock, Slade confounded fans with this gritty, cynical tale of a band undone by fame. Newly restored by the BFI, this cult classic rips into the music industry with raw power and electric swagger.

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20:00

The Handmaiden 18
2h 25m | Korean w/ English subtitles
Park Chan-wook’s lush erotic thriller dazzles with deception, desire and double-crosses. Set in 1930s Korea and based on Fingersmith, this modern classic is a masterwork of suspense and sensuality. A bold reimagining of the period drama.

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Tuesday 8th July

18:15

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life 15
£6 for Members
1h 38m | French w/ English subtitles
A struggling writer lands a spot at a Jane Austen residency, and falls into a romantic mess worthy of Austen herself. Set between Paris and the English countryside, this smart rom-com brims with charm and literary wit.

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20:30

Tornado 15
£6 for Members
1h 31m
In 18th-century Britain, a puppeteer’s daughter seeks vengeance after a brutal robbery. Armed with samurai skills and stolen gold, she battles a gang of ruthless criminals in this stylish, blood-soaked thriller from Slow West director John Maclean.

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!