Twenty-nine films will compete for the FESPACO Yennega Golden Stallion
When the 28th edition of the Ouagadougou Pan-African Film and Television Festival (FESPACO) opens in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on February 25, twenty-nine films will compete for the festival’s top prize: the Yennega Golden Stallion. The African film biennale is scheduled to take place from February 25 to March 4, 2023. A pan-African selection committee selected a total of 170 films out of the 1,142 films submitted, according to FESPACO General Delegate Moussa Alex Sawadogo. The general delegate speaking at the festival’s selection opening ceremony during the week also hinted that the opening film of FESPACO 2023 is ‘Bravo, Burkina’ by Burkinabe-Nigerian filmmaker Oyejide Wale. Likewise, the organizing committee revealed that of the 29 films, 14 are documentary feature films and 15 are fiction feature films. Selected films competing for the golden stallion include: ‘The Planters’ Plantation’, directed by Dingha Eystein Young (Cameroon), ‘Our Father, the Devil’, Ellie Foumb (Cameroon), ‘Sira’, by Appoline Traore (Burkina Faso ) and ‘Mami Wata’, by CJ”Fiery” Obasi (Nigeria). The committee also announced that this edition of Fespaco will be held under the motto: “African cinema and culture of peace.” In addition, the festival will have the participation of 35 countries, with the Ivory Coast being the country of honor. Information about the festival and the selected films can be obtained at https://fespaco.org
Pan-African Film Festival in Los Angeles Mourns AMAA Founder Peace Anyiam-Osigwe
Organizers of the annual Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles (PAFF) mourned the founder of the African Film Academy (AFA) and African Film Academy Awards (AMAA) Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, who passed away on 10 January in Lagos. PAFF co-founder and festival director Ayoku Babu and festival director general and programming director Asentewa Olatunji, both AMAA jury board members, said they are saddened by the news of the untimely death of PAFF’s founder. AMAA, whom they described as one of the strong pillars of the Nigerian film industry. In a tribute shared on the festival’s website, PAFF executives wrote: “Rest in power for peace Anyiam-Osigwe, a Nigerian filmmaker and entertainment executive who was called the Queen of Nollywood films… Here at the Pan African Film Festival We send our deepest condolences to Peace’s family, friends and colleagues, and to the world at this time on this devastating loss.
Thank you for your contribution to Africa and the diaspora. He will be greatly missed.” The PAFF returns with films and in-person events February 9-20 in Los Angeles at Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. ‘Chevalier’, the historical drama about the legacy and life of celebrated black French violinist and composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, has been announced as the opening film of the festival reputed to be the noir film festival. largest and most prestigious in the United States. Every year, the PAFF screens more than 150 films made by and/or about people of African descent from all over the world. PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in America. In addition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has designated PAFF as an Officially Qualified Film Festival for Live Action and Animation Short Films. Information about PAFF can be obtained at www. PAFF.org or email info@paff.org
The Coal City International Film Festival will take place in March
The third edition of the Enugu State-based Coal City International Film Festival will take place from March 23-25 in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State, Nigeria. This third edition will take place under the motto ‘Film Meets Tech’. Festival founder Uche Agbo explained that the African tech industry is rapidly evolving into a multi-billion dollar business, with many native founders and developers building an interesting ecosystem with a lot of potential, hence the festival team’s decision to explore the impact of technology. in the movie. Agbo, a prolific film producer and director, also said: “Therefore, it is an opportunity to explore the impact of technology on cinema and vice versa. Furthermore, it is no secret that some international streaming platforms, mainly Netflix and Amazon Prime with more on the way, are becoming very interested in African content and this is impacting the film culture in Africa.
Therefore, it is imperative to anticipate a strong technological impact on the dynamics of cinema and position actors and filmmakers to take full advantage of it.” and bushmeat round table, awards ceremony and night of fun, the festival’s founder hinted that access to financing, the preparation of pitch decks, commercial film proposals, available film markets and what to expect in the quality control of most acquisition companies are part of the discussions that will take place at Coal City Film Festival 2023. Information about the festival and entry rules for films can be obtained at www.coalcityfilmfestival.com
