Beyond film production and distribution, the challenge for African cinema lies in gaining visibility and recognition on the international stage. This is essential for exporting local works and ensuring the sustainable development of the film industry.
African cinema has long suffered from a lack of representation of its content. Despite this, talented individuals are emerging, helping to promote local works and spread the influence of cinema beyond borders.
Mati Diop, Grand Prix at Cannes.
This year, the Cannes Film Festival crowned Africa.
Two filmmakers from the continent shone in the awards at this 72nd edition. Mati Diop, a French-Senegalese director, who chose to present her film "Atlantique" under the name of Africa, and Ladj Ly, a French-Malian, who won an award for his film "Les Misérables."
Up against cinema giants such as Quentin Tarantino, Terrence Malik, and Pedro Almodóvar, Mati Diop was awarded the Grand Prix du Jury for her first feature film, which pays tribute to migrants who decide to leave their country in search of a better future.
For Maïmouna N'Diaye, actress, director, and member of the Cannes Film Festival jury, these two awards represent "something very powerful and symbolic, which will draw more attention to African cinema, which lacks visibility. It will allow African filmmakers who are struggling to exist."
Bringing out the talents of African cinema.
For this edition, African film talents also had the opportunity to present their projects thanks to the African and Caribbean Cinema Pavilion. This professional section, organized by the African Cultural Agency, highlighted the continent's potential in terms of filmmaking.
From the Croisette to Fespaco, the voices of African filmmakers were heard.
FESPACO, presented as the voice of pan-African cinema, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. This edition was organized around the theme "Memory and Future of African Cinema." And when we talk about the future, we must talk about women. Although they are increasingly represented in the festival's official selection, very few manage to win awards. In 50 years of Fespaco, no woman has ever won the Etalon d'Or du Yennenga, the award for excellence.
To promote better representation of women in the world of cinema, a movement was created during the festival: #WeareYennenga. Initiated during the Yennenga Assembly, a meeting of African filmmakers organized in February 2019 by Fatou Kendé Senghor, this movement aims to increase the visibility of women in cinema and denounce the abuse and violence they suffer. Voices have thus been raised to highlight the difficulties women face in the film industry. With a lack of films, support, financial resources, and recognition, women struggle to make a living from their talent and to promote their work. This is a global issue that African filmmakers find themselves facing.