Film festivals have always been a great way for filmmakers to show their work and for people to notice new film material. African film industry has struggled to find its place in the world film industry due to lack of funding and equipment but also due to government restrictions in certain African countries. Against all odds though, African film Industry has made an impact and is still producing films that are worthy of everyone's time. Along with the growth of the film industry, Africa has also managed to create film festivals in order to promote African films and filmmakers and remind people that African cinema is still going strong making masterpieces. There several film festivals all over the world dedicated to African films but Africa has also festivals to help promote African films and filmsmmakers.
Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou
The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (Festival panafricain du cinéma et de la télévision de Ouagadougou or FESPACO) is a film festival in Burkina Faso, held biennially in Ouagadougou, where the organization is based. It accepts for competition only films by African filmmakers and chiefly produced in Africa. FESPACO is scheduled in March every second year, two weeks after the last Saturday of February. Its opening night is held in theStade du 4-Aout , the national stadium. The festival offers African film professionals the chance to establish working relationships, exchange ideas, and to promote their work. FESPACO's stated aim is to "contribute to the expansion and development of African cinema as means of expression, education and awareness-raising". Created in 1969, it was first called the Pan-African film and television festival of Ouagadougou. It has evolved into an internationally recognized and respected event. Alimata Salambere, the cultural minister of Burkina Faso from 1987 to 1991, was one of the founders of the festival. The most prestigious award of the festival is the "Étalon de Yennenga" (Stallion of Yennenga), named after the legendary founder of the Mossi empire. The "Étalon de Yennenga" is awarded to the African film that best shows "Africa's realities".
World Festival of Black Arts
The World Festival of Black Arts (French: Festival Mondial des Arts Nègres), also known as FESMAN, is a month-long culture and arts festival that takes place in Africa. The festival features poetry, sculpture, painting, music, cinema, theatre, fashion, architecture, design and dance from artists and performers from around the African Diaspora. The First World Festival of Black Arts was held in Dakar, Senegal, 1–24 April 1966, initiated by former President Leopold Senghor, under the auspices of UNESCO, with the participation of 45 African, European, Caribbean, and North and South African countries, and featuring black literature, music, theater, visual arts, film and dance. It was first state-sponsored festival to showcase the work of African and African diasporic artists, musicians and writers to a global audience.
Cairo International Film Festival
The Cairo International Film Festival (Arabic: مهرجان القاهرة السينمائي الدولي) is an annual internationally accredited film festival held in Cairo Opera House. It was established in 1976 and has taken place every year since its inception, except for 2011 and 2013, when it was cancelled due to budget limitations and political instability.
It is the only international competitive feature film festival recognized by the FIAPF in the Arab world and Africa, as well as the oldest in this category. CIFF was launched in 1976 by the writer-critic Kamal el-Mallakh to enhance the role of Egypt in the world of filmmaking and cinema and to serve as a bridge between the cultures of the world. The highest and most prestigious award given at CIFF is the Golden Pyramid Award awarded for Best Picture.
Aswan International Women’s Film Festival
Aswan International Women’s Film Festival (AIWFF) was founded in 2017 by Egyptian screenwriter Mohamed Abdel Khalek. It is the first festival geared towards teaching filmmaking to youth in the Aswan region. It is conducted in coordination between the Egyptian ministries of culture and tourism, under the supervision of the National Council for Women. The festival attracts an international audience of celebrities and politicians from the Arab world and beyond . The festival is dedicated to Algerian fighter Jamila Bouhaird.
Over 125 students have been trained in festival workshops, producing several documentary films as graduation projects. In addition to screening over 30 films, the festival conducts seminars, a women's issues forum, a producer's salon (composed entirely of men) and celebratory events.
Cabo Verde International Film Festival
The Cabo Verde International Film Festival (CVIFF) is a film festival in Cape Verde first established in 2010. As of September 2018 about 200 films have been screened at the festival. While CVIFF has received entries from other nations, most films screened are from the host country. The film festival first premiered on October 2010 in Espargos, Sal. While originally conceived in 2008, the idea of a film festival had to be postponed due to the financial crisis. The first event had a total of five films screened which Neves has said was a positive start for the newly organized event. At the time, CVIFF was unable to secure sponsorships from businesses or cultural organizations which would remain a problem for at least the next three years. In 2013 the festival partnered with the African-American Film Critics Association to increase American presence there.
Amakula International Film Festival
The Amakula International Film Festival is an annual film festival that takes place in Uganda founded in 2004.It is Uganda's oldest film festival founded by Dutch film historian Alice Smits and American filmmaker Lee Elickson. The first Amakula Kampala International Film Festival was inaugurated on May 21, 2004. The festival features Programme The screening programme will be divided into selections that can be defined as: Contemporary Cinema A survey of current films from around the world
The festival consists of competition, discussions, workshops and seminar and other multi-disciplinary performances. he festival received a major setback in 2012 which according to some sources was because of financial reasons but it resumed on 16 March 2016 under a new management, moving from Amakula Cultural Foundation to now being presented by Bayimba Cultural Foundation.