3rd African Film Festival

The 3rd edition of the International African Cinema Festival was held from October 25 to 31 at the Lincoln and Gaumont Champs Elysées cinemas in Paris (75008).

This year, the actress Aïssa Maïga and the actor Eriq Ebouaney were the godmother and godfather of the festival « Africa makes its cinema ». Actress Fiona Gélin was the president of the jury composed of personalities in each specialty:

Feature films-Fiction: Samba Ducouré, Eebra Toore, Emmy Mc Carron, Hervé Babadi.
Short films-Fiction and documentary: Yuba Zhang, Mams Yaffa, Jérémy Bellet, Astro Moncho, Vanessa Njoya.
Documentary: Julie Amalric, Hawa Sancare Traore, Souad Houssein, Serges Abessolo, Raphael Mulot.
TV series: Brigitte Tchnegue, Jean Roke Patoudeme, Rokhava Niang, Rachid Dhibou, JeanDavid Stepler.

After the virtual version of 2020, Africa makes its cinema returned to its original version to present a guest country with its cinematographic, tourist, culinary and artistic riches. This year, she chose Gabon.

What is the guest country day of the AFSC festival?

Supported by patrons and businessmen from the chosen country, this day is an innovative cultural concept that highlights the ethical identity of the country. By showing the culture and cinematography of the country, it allows Parisian spectators to discover the life and customs of this honored country.
This event was created by the Association of African Filmmakers of Paris. Each year, it presents the different aspects of the continent through African cultures. We are dealing with young and original productions, full of creativity and authenticity. The Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPANACO) in Burkina-Faso is the pioneer in this area.

The 2021 edition

This edition included a round table whose idea was to set up a traveling solidarity chain bringing together the various events on the theme of Africa. A common platform is open during the months of October and November, each year.

Another particularity, The Cinebrand Experience, a business evening encouraging project leaders, They present their ideas in front of investors, companies to associate their images and finance their productions, Among them, we find « Africa makes its cinema », « Visions from Africa ”, OAFF or the Africashows YouTube channel.

Debates and conferences also took place in collaboration with the diaspora, in the presence of actresses and directors. The themes discussed focused on 3 ideas:

Why are stereotypical roles with negative value entrusted to actors from the minority in French cinema?

What are the solutions implemented by film professionals to reduce this intellectual damage?

What impact could this change of vision have on French society?

The European Union has launched the new Audiovisual Co-production Support program (ACP, since 2020. Nearly 10 million euros will be intended to participate in the financing of co-productions of films and series between African countries, between Africa and Africa. Europe Many countries participated in the conference including Burkina Faso, Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria and France.

The film market

African film & TV market

Exhibition spaces bring together international broadcasters, producers, distributors, buyers, international TV channels, VoD platforms (NetFlix, Amazon Prime, Apple Tv, etc.).

The special « Solid’Action » grand prize

Honorary distinction, it corresponds to a humanitarian, social and altruistic action, throughout the world. This is specific to the Paris International African Film Festival. The concept raises socio-humanitarian issues addressed in a film. These themes relate to the issue of gender, respect for the environment, gender equality, violence against women, the protection of the weakest and most vulnerable, the education of orphans and the protection of widows, etc. …

This award echoes humanitarian challenges, it congratulates the actors of the 7th art who address these issues without reservation in their films.

The prize is awarded to the director of the winning film who in turn gives it to a personality from the associative world of his country, through his solidarity actions for the benefit of needy people. This is international recognition for his engagement with minorities. The prize was awarded during the solemn ceremony in Paris at the Gaumont Champs Elysées cinema in the presence of the French authorities, several guests, African and international media.

Palmares

FEATURE FILM

• Golden Ubuntu for Best Feature Film: Yafa le pardon, a film by Christian Lara
• Silver Ubuntu: Little Jo, street child, a film by Daniel Kamwa
• Bronze Ubuntu: Chariot of the gods, a film by Anurin Nwunembom
• Special jury prize: Barré Gobon in « Petit Jo child of the streets »
• Ubuntu for Best Actress: Elize De Wee in « Terre des braves »
• Ubuntu for Best Actor: Cosson Chinepoh in « Chariot of the Gods »

SHORT FILM

• Golden Ubuntu for Best Short Film: YAMB, a film by Winnele Veyret
• Silver Ubuntu: LESSON, a film by Patrick M. Timbé
• Bronze Ubuntu: DON’T FORGET US, a film by Oumar Diaw
• Special Jury Prize: HOMOPHOBE, a film by Steve Bell

DOCUMENTARY

• Golden Ubuntu for Best Documentary: POISSON D’OR POISSON AFRICAIN, a film by Thomas Grand and Moussa Diop
• Silver Ubuntu: EL MAESTRO LABA SOSSEH, a film by Maky Madiba Sylla and Lionel Bourqui
• Bronze Ubuntu: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MAMANI ABDOULAYE, a film by Amina Mamani Abdoulaye
• Special Jury Prize: SANTYE PAPANGER, a film by Laurent Pantaléon

TV SHOW

• Golden Ubuntu for Best TV Series: MANJAK, a series directed by Hubert Laba Ndao and Siam Marley
• Special Jury Prize: LES TALES DE RAYA, a series directed by Adja Mariam Soro
• Honorary Ubuntu: Alix Benezech (for his young and already rich career

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