On February 16, 2022, the first edition of the Gabonese Cinema Festival (FEGACI) begins in Gabon, devoted to short and feature-length fiction films shot in Gabon.
It is with the aim of breathing new life into Gabonese cinema that Pauline Mvele, Jean Pierre Moudjalou, Jérémie Tchoua and Aimé Akani have decided to set up the Gabonese Film Festival which will hold its first edition from February 16 to 19, 2022 in Libreville. A way to give a boost to local cinematographic activities which have stagnated since the advent of the Covid19 pandemic, but also a way to connect the older generation of Gabonese filmmakers with the new generation. The goal is to “do something for the radiation of Gabonese cinema” according to director Pauline Mvele. It is therefore a question of making an inventory of Gabonese cinema (which has existed for almost 50 years) and of creating a bridge of exchange between the different generations of filmmakers.
This year the festival will only focus on fiction short and feature films. Series and documentaries will make their debut next year. A total of 7 films will be screened as part of this festival at the Institut Français de Libreville. There are therefore three feature films: Les Couilles de l’Éléphant (2002) by Henri Joseph Koumba, Dolê (2000) by Imunga Ivanga, Le plan (2012) by John Franck Ondo and Saturnin Ayenouet. And four short films: MOO-1 (2017) and Assang Mefa (2017) by Frank Onouviet, Makika Contre l’Humanité (2018) by Marco Tchico, Le Tchatcheur (2013) by Pauline Mvele.
Other activities on the menu of this festival, two workshops, one around scriptwriting led by Olivier Messa and the other around filmmaking led by Amédée Pacôme Nkoulou. A special round table is also on the program. It will have as subject of debate, Gabonese cinema seen by women filmmakers. A round table which will see the participation of Pauline Mvele (moderator), Marlène Alen (director), Aicha Yamav (actress), Jeanneton Aguero Godjout (editor), Arlette Gombomoye (producer), Sarah Dolatabadi (director / visual artist). The festival will end on February 19 with the screening of the film Ngombi, La Cour du Roi by Amédée Pacôme Nkoulou.
Rostand Wandja
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