The film "Pubi" directed by Lagozon Emmanuel has won the Grand Prix Timité Bassori at the second edition of the "Réalise avec ton phone" festival held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The award ceremony took place on November 13, 2026, at the cinema Majestic Sococé in Abidjan Cocody. The film received a trophy, a certificate, 500,000 FCFA, a hard drive, and a recorder as prizes.
Other winners of the festival included Djény Ouattara, who won the best sound award for his film "Si j’avais su". Junior Esso won the best scenario award for "Colocataires", while Amani Konan Armel received the best director award for "Le revenant". Each of these winners received a trophy, a certificate, 300,000 FCFA, and a hard drive. A total of 30 films were in competition for this edition, which focused on the theme of cleanliness and salubrité.
The festival, promoted by Jean-Claude Kouassi, aims to provide a platform for young talents to express themselves using their mobile phones, thereby overcoming financial constraints related to acquiring professional filmmaking equipment. Kouassi explained that the initiative seeks to utilize smartphones, which are widely accessible to young people, as a tool for creative expression. The festival intends to offer a space for young filmmakers to address public interest themes such as environment, citizenship, entrepreneurship, and climate change.
According to Jean-Claude Kouassi, the discovery of new talents must be accompanied by professional prospects and remuneration opportunities. He also called for technical partnerships, particularly with China, and collaboration with cinema professionals to enhance the skills of competitors in writing, directing, and post-production. The Chinese Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire, represented by Wang Yijie, expressed enthusiasm for the festival's themes, particularly the focus on salubrité, which is a common concern for all countries.
Wang Yijie praised the productions that raise awareness among populations and authorities about environmental preservation. He expressed a desire for strengthened cooperation between Côte d'Ivoire and China in the areas of cinema, environmental protection, and ecology. The Chinese Embassy representative commended the filmmakers for their contribution to citizen sensitization. The festival's general commissioner, Doumbia Ibrahima, extended gratitude to the Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Françoise Remarck, and other partners who supported the event.
The second edition of the festival was marked by a significant participation of young filmmakers, with 30 films competing for various awards. The event demonstrated the potential of mobile phone filmmaking as a tool for creative expression and social commentary. The festival's success highlights the importance of providing platforms for emerging talents to showcase their work and address pressing social issues.
The "Réalise avec ton phone" festival has established itself as a significant event in Côte d'Ivoire's cinematic landscape, promoting innovation and creativity among young filmmakers. The Grand Prix Timité Bassori, awarded to "Pubi", is a testament to the festival's commitment to recognizing and rewarding outstanding talent in the industry. The event is expected to continue providing opportunities for young filmmakers to develop their skills and showcase their work to a wider audience.
Key points
- The film "Pubi" by Lagozon Emmanuel won the Grand Prix Timité Bassori at the 2nd "Réalise avec ton phone" festival in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
