Promoting socially relevant films, and peace through movies is the aim of the ION Film Festival. Next month, this international showcase will take place in Africa for the first time.

We are very happy to announce that 'Music Crossroads', a documentary directed by Stephanie Koenen and filmed during the InterRegional Festival 2008 in Lilongwe, Malawi, has been selected!

This 30 minute documentary goes behind the scenes of the InterRegional Festival 2008 to explain the work of Music Crossroads in the five Southern African countries, while showing the impact and incredible atmosphere that surrounds this annual event.

Each year the InterRegional Festival brings together thousands of people to participate in music skills, HIV/AIDS prevention and gender issues workshops and music jam sessions. This festival is the chance to watch the competing best two bands from each country perform some amazing music on stage. In 2008, electrifying Zimbabwean band Mokoomba were the winners.

The 'Music crossroads' documentary has recently been showed in Edinburgh at the Africa in Motion - Edinburgh African Film festival, where Stephanie Koenen took part in a discussion after the screening.

Stephanie will now travel to Nigeria, home of the world's second largest film industry: Nollywood! The ION International Film Festival will take place in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, from 9th to 12th December.

'Music Crossroads' documentary credits

Camera: Mixon Kaffoteka (Tatcam Media). Lilongwe, Malwai.
Editing: Piers McGrail. Dublin, Ireland.
Producer: Music Crossroads International.
Director: Stephanie Koenen. Berlin, Germany.