South African Film Festival

The Last Seed

Available in 06d 11h 13m 38s
Available May 10, 2024 12:00 AM UTC
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The Last Seed focuses on broad themes relating to the state of food and agriculture in Africa in the twenty-first century. Placing the struggle for the control of seeds at the centre, it explains the processes that have led to this moment in human history and what it would take to interact with the planet in a way that does not threaten the very basis of life on earth.


The film raises two fundamental questions — what have we lost, and who can show us a better way? — and answers these questions using music, dance, moving visuals, and the lived experiences and stories of African small-scale food producers.


Experts outline the extent of the corporate capture crisis and explain the underlying science, politics and economics in simple terms, punctuated by vibrant animations.


Agroecological farmers from various African nations give testimony on the sustainability and adaptability of their agricultural practices and share morsels of wisdom worth exploring.


The film ends on an upbeat note as Senegalese women rise up, determined to protect their seeds and indigenous knowledge for future generations.


The Last Seed, produced by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in association with the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, Biowatch South Africa, and PELUM Tanzania.

  • Year
    2023
  • Runtime
    77 minutes
  • Language
    English, jola, Swahili
  • Country
    South Africa
  • Rating
    G
  • Genre
    Documentary
  • Subtitle Language
    English
  • Awards
    The Last Seed has won 12 awards and been accepted by 29 film festivals as it travels the globe to shed light on the seed struggle in Africa. e.g. Winner – Environmental Film & Screenplay Festival 2023. Winner – Cine Paris Film Festival 2023. Winner – Western Canadian International Film Festival 2022
  • Director
    Andréa Gema
  • Producer
    Refiloe Joala, Famara Diédhiou
  • Executive Producer
    Jan Urhahn
  • Cinematographer
    Nick Burton Moore