Dakar, January 15 (APS) – The selection of around twenty Senegalese films and projects at the 29th edition of the Pan-African Cinema and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (Fespaco) scheduled from February 22 to March 1 reflects the “dynamism” of the Senegalese cinema ecosystem, welcomed the Director of cinematography, Germain Coly.
”I would like to salute all these films and projects selected in the different categories for the next Fespaco 2025, this shows that the ecosystem of Senegalese cinema is dynamic,” he told APS during an interview telephone.
He was delighted that Senegal was present in many sections in official competition such as feature film, short films, perspectives, panorama, animation, Fespaco Sukabé, Thomas Sankara Prize, and in Fespaco series.
Senegal is absent in the feature documentary selection and in the school films.
According to the Director of Cinematography, several parameters made it possible to have this “rich and qualitative” selection, a first for Senegal which had only eight films selected at the last Fespaco 2023.
Germain Coly explained that this is due to “the quality of human resources and also the effectiveness of the State’s film policy with the implementation since 2013 of the Film Industry Promotion Fund and the audiovisual (Fopica), pushing cinema professionals to realize their project”.
He recalled that Senegal had registered 51 films in the different categories, including a post-production Yennenga project.
Upon arrival, 26 films were selected, including seven project leaders and one director who preferred to withdraw. This is the director Mati Diop whose film ”Dahomey” does not appear in the lists distributed by the organizing committee.
According to Mr. Coly, preparations for Senegalese participation are underway.
”We will prepare for Senegalese participation in better conditions. The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture will certainly make the trip. We will communicate widely here and on site about the support of the State and will support the various participants,” declared the Director of Cinematography.
FKS/OID/SBS
