April 1, 2010 - Several film festivals will take place throughout the City this month.

Gen Art New York Film Festival
The Gen Art Film Festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary as an exhibition of promising up-and-coming filmmakers. Begining April 7, the festival spans seven nights, fourteen films and multiple genres. Each night premieres a feature film and a short film. For more information about the films, visit http://www.genart.org/filmfestival.

New York African Film Festival
This year, the 17th Annual African Film Festival will highlight seventeen African countries. The theme of “independent Africa” focuses on the countries’ fifty years of independence from colonial rule. The festival will showcase “rare archival footage” in conjunction with classic and contemporary African films in order to depict the changes that have occurred over the past five decades years. Presented by African Film Festival and the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the festival runs from April 7 to May 31 at various locations throughout New York City. For more information, visit http://www.africanfilmny.org/aff_fest.html.

Havana Film Festival New York
The 11th Annual Havana Film Festival will be held from April 16 through April 23 at various locations around New York City. Featuring over forty films from thirteen countries, the film festival will showcase classics and premiere screenings. Collaborating with museums and other cultural institutions, the festival will include panel discussions, workshops, and Q&A sessions. For more information, visit http://www.hffny.com.

New York City Mental Health Film Festival
Held on April 25, the 6th Annual Mental Health Film Festival allows people with mental health issues to express and share their lives through art. Co-sponsored by Community Access and the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, the intention of the festival is to combat the stigma associated with mental health care by depicting that recipients are part of society. For more festival information, visit http://www.nycmentalhealthfilmfestival.com.