The Third Annual Silicon Valley African Film Festival is returning to the Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View from Oct. 12-14, bringing African culture to local residents.

In partnership with Oriki Theater, CSMA will host the festival throughout the weekend at 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View.

The opening ceremony begins Friday, Oct., 12 at 5:30 p.m. Events include workshops, a flag parade, African drum and dance performances, panel discussions, post-screening discussions with filmmakers, food and an African market.

Film screenings will begin at 11 a.m. both days. The African Diaspora Forum is Saturday evening at 4 p.m., followed by a closing awards ceremony the next day, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. There will be a combination of feature films, animations and shorts offered to viewers.

Mountain View Mayor Mike Kasperzak will be attending the opening ceremony and presenting a proclamation declaring the three-day event "Silicon Valley African Film Festival Weekend." California State Assembly member Paul Fong will be at the opening ceremony as well.

Veteran filmmakers will be attending the three-day event, such as Tunde Kelani, who will also be receiving the top award at the festival, the "2012 African Reel Award."

Kelani's new film, "Maami," is set to screen on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 8 p.m.

Oriki Theater is a nonprofit performing arts company based in Mountain View committed to promoting Africa's heritage through dance, music, folk stories, chants and drums.

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