FOCUS Cinema – Création Africa

The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and Short Film Market (February 1 - 6, 2025) is the world's leading short film event, showcasing the very best in young international filmmaking. As part of the Marché du Film Court, the Institut français is organizing a number of initiatives in partnership with the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the cultural network, Unifrance, the CNC and MansA - Maison des mondes africains.

The French Institute is promoting African cinematographic creation with a delegation of 34 film professionals (producers, scriptwriters, distributors, programmers) from the African continent, representing 20 different nationalities (South Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Egypt, Gambia, Algeria, Tunisia, Tanzania, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Togo, Morocco). They will benefit from privileged access to this major trade event for the sector, and the opportunity to initiate meetings and collaborations with French, European and international professionals. To welcome this delegation and give them the visibility and space they need to set up their business meetings, a Creation Africa pavilion has been set up in the Marché du Film Court area, with the support of the MEAE. In addition to access to the rich programming of the Market and Festival, the Institut français and its partners are offering events dedicated to this delegation.

- The African continent: a laboratory for new narratives Moderated by Marwa Ahmed, Regional Audiovisual Attaché (Côte d'Ivoire) Speakers: Laurent Bitty (Ateliers Grand Bassam), Yanis Gaye (Yetu (un)Limited), Magdalene Reddy (Durban FilmMart), Christelle Folly (MansA) - Supporting cinema in Africa and building sustainable partnerships Moderated by Séraphine Angoula, Regional Audiovisual Attaché (Côte d'Ivoire) Speakers: Marion Thévenot (Institut français), Céline Leclercq (CNC), Marguerite Hitier (MEAE) , Christelle Folly (MansA), Axel Scoffier (UniFrance) - The distribution and circulation of short films in Africa Moderated by Nicolas Robida, cultural and audiovisual attaché (Algeria) Speakers : Andrea Voges, (Durban International Film Festival), Maguette Danfakha (Dakart Court Festival Anaïs Colpin (Manifest), Claire Diao (Sudu connexion) A “Meet and Greet” networking event will be held on February 4 to showcase African creativity and open up opportunities for exchange and collaboration. The Institut français also supports the Regards d'Afrique section organized by the Festival, which features African creators in a non-competitive section to present their films and debate with the public.

- Rita Ambeu, Ivory Coast- director - Laurent Bitty, Ivory Coast- producer and director of Atelier Grand Bassam - Amina Castaing, Algeria, producer (Alpha Tango Studio) - Samy Chaffaï, Tunisia, director (Tawa Digital) - Maguette Dafankha, Senegal, Director of Dakar Court - Thierno Souleymane Diallo, Guinea, director (Sabou Ciné Talents) - Habibu Diliwa, Tanzania, Director (Collectif Ajabu Ajabu) - Nicolas Diop (Nix), Senegal, director - Iman Djionne, Ivory Coast, Senegal, director, producer - Michel Doss, South Africa, director - Françoise Ellong, Cameroon, director - Wambui Gathee, Kenya, programmer (Docubox) - Aya Hesham Dowara, Egypt, producer (SARD production) - Giresse Kassonga, DRC, producer - Martha Manga, Gambia, Coordinator, Khoros Short Film Festival - Alice Jonhson, Ghana, Programmer Accra Indie Festival - Philibert Aimé Mababazi, Rwanda, director - Yamina Mechri Bendana, Tunisia, Programmer - Lena Naassana, Egypt, producer, curator - Martine Ndiaye, Senegal, director, Film Femmes Afrique festival - Aicha Ndiaye, Senegal, script director - Dika Ofama, Nigeria, director - Magdalene Reddy, South Africa, Director of the Durban Festival - Zeinab Soumahoro, Ivory Coast, director - Julio Teko, Togo, director - Andrea Voges, South Africa, programmer - Vicky Nelson Wackoro, Central African Republic, producer - Abou Viateur Yapo, Ivory Coast, scriptwriter - Hedi Zardi, Morocco, Coordinator Ateliers de l'Atlas - Azata Soro, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, director - Bamar Kane, Senegal, scriptwriter