The second edition of the African Feminist Film and Research Festival, called Cinefemfest, was held in Toubab Dialaw from October 31 to November 3. The event brought together women around films to discuss the problems they face in society.
During the opening session, five influential women shared their journey and their commitment to women’s rights. They stressed the importance of naming the problems they face in a society which, according to them, must evolve to allow female development. Sociologist Mor Mbaye also spoke of persistent social pressure on women, while Professor Fatou Sow criticized the country’s conservatism.
Professor Sow highlighted the essential role of women’s voices in understanding and transforming society. She offers a new look at positive masculinity to support this fight. Journalist Mame Woury Thioubou insisted on the importance of freeing ourselves from stereotypes and making women’s voices heard through cinema.
This year’s theme, “Transnational and Pan-African Solidarities and Cultures of Nonviolence,” is at the heart of the festival. Dr Rama Salla Dieng, the initiator, highlighted the importance of honoring women in the arts sector, particularly cinema, and recalled the tributes paid to pioneers the previous year. She clarified that this fight concerns all of society, not just women.
The closing of the festival took place in the presence of the Secretary of State for Culture. Participants called for the creation of a special fund to support women in cinema.
