Gifts from Babylon

Gifts from Babylon is a short film exploring the psychological impact of Africa-EU migration through the lens of a Gambian return-migrant. The film captures the personal conflicts that arise when Modou, a deported refugee, returns to his home country after having lived illegally in Europe for five years. Suffering from intense flashbacks of his illegal migrant journey, he wonders what has become of him…

  • Bas Ackermann
    Director
    Welcome to the Smiling Coast
  • Amadou A Silah
    Director
  • Babucar Manka
    Director
  • Modou Joof
    Director
  • Bas Ackermann
    Writer
    Welcome to the Smiling Coast
  • Amadou A Sillah
    Writer
  • Babucar Manka
    Writer
  • Emiel Martens
    Story Editor
    Welcome to the Smiling Coast
  • Emiel Martens
    Producer
    Welcome to the Smiling Coast
  • Christopher Tijan Smith
    Key Cast
    "Modou"
  • Pa Modou Yafa
    Key Cast
    "Omar"
  • Bintou Marie Kuutti
    Key Cast
    "Ya Awa"
  • Modou Thioune
    Key Cast
    "Jimmy"
  • Sheikh Tijan Sonko
    Key Cast
    "Father Bye Amat"
  • Prudence Monica Davies
    Key Cast
    "Mother Kumba"
  • Milton Kamanda
    Key Cast
    "Barber"
  • Cornelius Gomez
    Key Cast
    "Beggar"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    23 minutes 47 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 5, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Netherlands
  • Country of Filming:
    Gambia
  • Language:
    English, Wolof
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Nederlands Film Festival
    Utrecht
    Netherlands
    September 28, 2018
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • iAfrica Film Festival
    The Hague
    Netherlands
    October 6, 2018
    The Hague Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Festival Gorée Cinéma
    Île de Gorée, Dakar
    Senegal
    October 29, 2018
    African Premiere
    Official Selection
  • PROSPE(C)TIVA B.R.I.O. Festival of Visual Cultures
    Montesarchio
    Italy
    December 1, 2018
    Italian Premiere
    Excellence Award
  • South Film and Arts Academy Festival​ (SFAAF)
    Rancagua
    Chile
    December 23, 2018
    South American Premiere
    Best First Short Film By The Director, Best Screenplay In A Short Film, Best Supporting Actor In A Short Film (Pa Modou Yaffa), Supporting Actress Honorable Mention In A Short Film (Bintou Marie Kuutti), Cinematography Honorable Mention In A Short Film (Stef Kwinten), Editing Honorable Mention In A Short Film, Best Original Score In A Short Film
  • Desert Edge Global Film Festival
    Rajasthan
    India
    December 29, 2018
    Asian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Mboka Festival
    Banjul
    Gambia
    January 23, 2019
    Official Selection
  • Pan African Film Festival (PAFF)
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 8, 2019
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection, In Competition for Best Narrative Short
  • FINDECOIN Independent International Short Film Festival
    Puerto La Cruz
    Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
    February 25, 2019
    Venezuelan premiere
    Winner Best No-Budget Short Film
  • Taos Shortz Film Fest
    Taos
    United States
    March 22, 2019
    New Mexico Premiere
Director - Bas Ackermann, Amadou A Silah, Babucar Manka, Modou Joof