One of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, the Cannes Film Festival kicked off in Cannes, France, on May 14. The annual event which until 2002 was known as the International Film Festival has since 1946 hosted actors, directors, scriptwriters, producers and people that work behind the scenes in the movie industry from all over the world together with film analysists, reviewers and critics in the 10-day event of screening and awarding of films of all genres.
This year, in its 72nd edition, the festival debuted the African Pavilion which officially gave Africa the opportunity to participate fully in the festival. Although several African movies have featured in previous editions of the festival, the debut of the African Pavilion at the festival is a huge step forward for the African movie industry.
The Pavilion gives the African movie industry the opportunity for actors, producers, filmmakers and distributors to find partners, expand their contact and working partnership as well as pitch ideas for future deals while also selling at the international film market which is also part of the Cannes Film Festival.
This year, several African countries are featuring at the African Pavilion including Nigeria, Algeria, Morroco, Egypt, South Africa, Ghana, The Gambia, Tanzania, Djibouti, and Burkina Faso including one Caribbean country, Jamaica. Here are the African films showing at this year’s festival.
