The 20th edition of the International Market for African Cinema and Television (MICA), a gathering of producers, distributors, broadcasters, and project leaders, opened on Sunday in Ouagadougou on the sidelines of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso.
Based at the Fespaco headquarters, Mica brings together project leaders and creators of film and audiovisual works (film distributors and producers) with buyers (streaming platforms, television stations, festivals, etc.), explained its director, Adjararatou Bancé.
Created in 1983, 14 years after Fespaco, Mica was born out of the desire of film and audiovisual professionals on the continent, who often faced a lack of space to promote their works, to have an autonomous market specific to African film. "MICA brings together all the structures involved in the production of cinematographic and audiovisual works, actors, sponsors, and distributors of African films to discuss various issues," said Burkina Faso's Minister of Industry, Harouna Kaboré.
"Beyond the films we will see at Fespaco, it is very important to know that there is a market that is being organized and structured so that public policies can better support the various actors," he emphasized, adding that MICA is an "important link in the process of disseminating African works.
" In addition to business meetings, MICA will host promotional and exchange meetings, workshops, round tables, and master classes until October 22.