The 30th edition of the Ecrans Noirs film festival, scheduled to take place in Yaoundé from November 21 to 28, is being prepared by a team led by Patricia Moune Mbede, the festival's general coordinator. The team held a three-and-a-half-hour meeting on October 26 to review key aspects of the event. They discussed the downloading of films to be projected, finalizing invitation tickets, and confirming communication materials and flight tickets.
According to Emmanuel Franck Goufan, the festival's general technical manager, the team has so far secured 50% of the content, with some international fiction films requiring payments and awaiting Cameroonian films. He aims to complete the program by the end of the week. Meanwhile, Gervais Pondji Ekole, the festival's infographer, is working on designing the festival's visual materials, including invitations, catalogues, and badges.
The festival's team is working hard to ensure the event's success, with Ilarine Megou, the assistant director, handling logistical arrangements, including flight plans and hotel reservations for festival guests. So far, she has sent out invitation letters and hotel reservations, awaiting confirmation of visa receipts from the invitees.
Liza Fouda, also known as "Yasmine," the festival's communication manager, is responsible for mobilizing film enthusiasts. The team plans to start communicating the festival's content from the current week, targeting cinéphiles on social media and other platforms.
This year's festival will be the first without its founder, Bassek Ba Kobhio, who passed away. His absence is still felt by the team, with many expressing nostalgia for his leadership style. Patricia Moune Mbede emphasized that the team is working to restore the festival's essence, focusing on cinema and encouraging people to return to cinemas to watch films.
The festival's team is working under pressure, but they aim to deliver a successful event. With the program almost finalized, the team is optimistic about the festival's prospects. The event is expected to attract film enthusiasts from across the region.
The Ecrans Noirs film festival has become a significant event in the region's film industry, showcasing local and international films. The festival's 30th edition promises to be an exciting event, with a wide range of films and activities planned.
Key points
- The 30th edition of the Ecrans Noirs film festival will take place in Yaoundé from November 21 to 28.
- The festival's team is working hard to finalize preparations, with a focus on cinema and film content.
- This year's festival will be the first without its founder, Bassek Ba Kobhio.
