Dakar, Dec 10 (APS) – The Dakar international short film festival commonly called ”Dakar court”, of which the 7th edition was launched on Monday, is an “unmissable showcase” for young Senegalese directors, said the Secretary of State for Culture, Creative Industries and Historical Heritage, Bakary Sarr.
”This festival is, for our country, a real flagship event in the field of culture and cinema. It presents itself to us as a laboratory open to the world. It embodies the richness of our cultural diversity, the dynamism of our film industry and the boundless creativity of our young directors,” he declared during the opening ceremony at the French Institute in Dakar.
In front of a large audience who came to support the “Cinémarekk” team chaired by the young Senegalese director, Moly Kane, Mr. Sarr reiterated the supporting role of the State of Senegal which encourages and promotes film production, and particularly short films. -footage.
Several financing, training and support systems for young talents have been put in place by the State, he said. But, according to him, it is essential that each festival like ”Dakar Court” is an opportunity to strengthen links between players in the sector, to encourage exchanges between filmmakers from all regions of the world.
Speaking on the theme of this edition of Dakar court, entitled ”Cinema and music”, the Secretary of State stressed that these are two arts in dialogue.
”More and more, music becomes a character in its own right, with a profound influence on the story. It must therefore be designed to be one with the film,” he advised.
”We are celebrating an event which year after year illustrates with talent the vitality of African cinema and which we are proud to support since its creation,” said the director of the French Institute of Dakar, Laurent Viguié.
According to him, “Dakar Court” has established itself as “a structuring model, a laboratory for the future of cinema and a place where collaborations are born”.
The president of “Cinémarekk”, Moly Kane announced the project to build the short film house in Pikine, the ambition of which is to see it duplicated throughout Senegal by the State.
For this seventh edition, a tribute was paid to the Franco-Belgian filmmaker, photographer and visual artist, Agnès Varda, who died in 2019 and represented by her daughter.
His film ”Uncle Yanco”, a portrait report on his uncle Jean Varda, painter, was screened.
The Senegalese director, Ousmane William Mbaye, was also honored with the screening of his film ”Fer et verre”, a portrait of the Senegalese visual artist Anta Germaine Gaye.
The eleven short films in competition are screened from Tuesday with four school films this year.
A round table around the theme ”Cinema and music” is planned for Thursday at 10 a.m. at the French Institute in Dakar.
A focus dedicated to Colombian short films is also included in the program for this 7th edition.
The official competition jury is chaired by Senegalese filmmaker Moussa Sène Absa.
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