Welcome to a new episode of the Film at Lincoln Center podcast. This week we’re excited to present two conversations, the first a Programmers Preview with the team behind the New York African Film Festival, currently taking place in our theaters through May 16, followed by a Q&A with writer/director Ari Aster from a recent screening of his latest feature, the Joaquin Phoenix-starring Beau Is Afraid.

Launched in 1993, the New York African Film Festival was one of the first film festivals in the United States to reflect on the myriad ways African and diaspora filmmakers have used the moving image to tell complex nuanced stories of cultural and aesthetic significance. Under the banner title, Freeforms, the festival will present over 50 films from more than 25 countries that explore and embrace the visionary, probing, and fearless spirit of African film and diaspora storytelling. Listen to our discussion with New York African Film Festival's Founder and Executive Director, Mahen Bonetti, Program Manager, Dara Ojugbele, and Curator and Office Manager, Farima Kone Kito.

To view the lineup and get tickets to this year’s festival, please visit filmlinc.org/african.

On the occasion of the release of his latest feature, Beau Is Afraid, Film at Lincoln Center recently presented a curated selection of films handpicked by Ari Aster to complement the director’s highly anticipated new film. This eclectic and unexpected collection of masterworks drawn from seven decades of film history across a range of genres and production contexts shed light on the inspirations and influences behind one of the most compelling directorial voices in Hollywood today. Following a screening of Beau Is Afraid, Aster joined us to speak with FLC Assistant Programmer Maddie Whittle about his inspirations for making the film.