2026 African Film Festival Atlanta Shorts Program 5: "The Will Beneath" Premieres

The bold historical drama explores themes of revenge and reclaiming power.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 2026 African Film Festival Atlanta is set to showcase a powerful short film titled "The Will Beneath" as part of its Shorts Program 5. The film, a bold reimagining of African history, follows Naomi as she silently endures the cruelty of Cecil Rhodes but harbors a plan for revenge, joining forces with another woman trapped in his grip to orchestrate his downfall and reclaim the power stolen from them.

Why it matters

The African Film Festival Atlanta is a premier event celebrating the diverse voices and cinematic excellence of African and diaspora filmmakers. "The Will Beneath" explores timely themes of colonial oppression, female empowerment, and the reclamation of cultural narratives - issues that resonate deeply with the festival's mission and audience.

The details

"The Will Beneath" is a short film that delves into the untold stories of African history, centering on Naomi's journey to seek justice against the tyrannical Cecil Rhodes. The film showcases how Naomi and another woman trapped in Rhodes' grip devise a plan to orchestrate his downfall and reclaim the power that was stolen from them.

  • The 2026 African Film Festival Atlanta is taking place from March 26th to 30th, 2026.
  • "The Will Beneath" is scheduled to premiere as part of the festival's Shorts Program 5 on March 29th, 2026.

The players

Naomi

The protagonist of "The Will Beneath" who has spent years silently enduring the cruelty of Cecil Rhodes but harbors a plan for revenge.

Cecil Rhodes

The tyrannical historical figure whose excess and power are the targets of Naomi's revenge plot in the film.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Will Beneath" is a bold reimagining of African history that explores themes of colonial oppression, female empowerment, and the reclamation of cultural narratives.”

— African Film Festival Atlanta, Festival Organizers

What’s next

Tickets for the 2026 African Film Festival Atlanta are now on sale, and the full program schedule is available on the festival's website. "The Will Beneath" is set to premiere as part of Shorts Program 5 on March 29th, 2026.

The takeaway

The 2026 African Film Festival Atlanta continues to showcase the diverse and powerful voices of African and diaspora filmmakers. "The Will Beneath" is a thought-provoking short film that reimagines history through a bold, female-centric lens, underscoring the festival's commitment to amplifying underrepresented narratives.