The 5th edition of the Mandoul Film Festival (FECIM) officially ended on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in Koumra, Chad. The closing ceremony was attended by filmmakers, sector professionals, young people, authorities, and film enthusiasts. The event was marked by the awarding of prizes to filmmakers distinguished by the jury and the announcement of a new site for the festival's headquarters and future artistic village.
The festival, held under the theme "Cinema in the Face of Climate Change," brought together filmmakers, sector professionals, young people, authorities, and film enthusiasts for three days of screenings, training, and exchanges. The event transformed Koumra into a veritable capital of Chadian cinema. Over 50 young people were trained in film professions during the festival, which also featured screenings of films from various countries.
The closing ceremony was marked by a significant announcement that opens up new prospects for the festival. The Koumra canton chief announced the allocation of a plot of land to allow FECIM to build its headquarters. The chief praised the festival promoter's commitment to the locality's development and encouraged the continuation of this cultural initiative.
The festival promoter, Noubainguerassem Jonathan, expressed his gratitude to the canton chief for the allocation of the land, stressing that cinema is not just entertainment but also a space for dialogue and education. He emphasized that the screenings and training organized as part of FECIM aim to provide local talent with an expression space and give young people the opportunity to discover film professions.
The festival's organizer also praised the support of administrative and local authorities, film professionals, and the Ministry of Culture, which facilitated the participation of professionals from N'Djamena, Moundou, and Bongor. The ambition is now to make FECIM a sustainable cultural event in Mandoul, with plans to build an artistic village in the next stages.
The jury, presided over by Chadian comedian and director Youssouf Djaoro, awarded prizes to selected works. The documentary long feature prize went to "La Panthère douce" by Bourma Hassan, while the short documentary prize went to "Les Frères d'arme" by Burkinabè director Warren Saré. Other prizes were awarded in various categories, including short fiction film and series.
The 5th edition of FECIM has demonstrated its potential as a cultural event in Chad, with a focus on cinema as a tool for dialogue, education, and local development. The festival's future prospects look promising, with plans for growth and expansion, and the construction of an artistic village.
Key points
- The festival's future headquarters will be built on a plot of land allocated by the Koumra canton chief.
- Over 50 young people were trained in film professions during the festival.
- The festival's theme was "Cinema in the Face of Climate Change."
