Village International, Pantiero #201
Press Contact:
Eléonore Heuze, eleonore@agencefrenchlights.com (English)
Jamila Ouzahir, jamilaouzahir@gmail.com (French)
PROGRAM 2026
DAY 1
MAY 12
TUESDAY
3:30 PM
Opening Ceremony with Special Performance by singer Emily Johnson
.
MCs: Maklor Babutulua & Lisa Miranda
🎬 Screening – 3X Freedom 2
(Deadria Farmer-Paellmann)
Three Times Freedom is a powerful anthology of three short films exploring Afrodescendant identity, historical truth, and the urgent call for shared stewardship in the repatriation of the Benin Bronzes.
The journey begins with They Belong to All of Us, which uncovers the largely untold slave trade origins of the bronzes, advancing a necessary narrative shift that recognizes the role of enslaved Africans in their creation.
In Mudfish Legacy, Benin Kingdom Museum fellow Jirah Joshua traces his cultural lineage through direct engagement with the bronzes at the British Museum, culminating in the creation of an inspired work and a moving ancestral dedication.
The anthology concludes with The New Bronze Makers, following a collective of fellows as they cast a unifying bronze—symbolizing reconnection, cultural renewal, and a shared future between Africa and its global descendants.
Together, these films form a compelling call to reimagine ownership, memory, and belonging in the story of one of the world's most iconic cultural treasures.
Director: Deadria Farmer-Paellmann
Cocktail reception featuring singer Kayna Samet
Kayna Samet is a French R&B and soul singer known for her powerful voice and emotionally driven performances. Blending urban sounds with heartfelt songwriting, she has become a distinctive presence in the French music scene.
DAY 2
MAY 13
WEDNESDAY
6:00 PM
🎬 Screening: The Ebony Canal by Emmai Alaquiva followed by a private cocktail reception.
Narrated by Academy Award winner Viola Davis,
The Ebony Canal is a poignant, award-winning documentary film that delves into the disparities of infant mortality and maternal health among Black and Brown women, weaving together powerful stories of healing and hope to inspire solution-driven practices that transform the future of maternal care.
Director: Emmai Alaquiva
Smart Solutions Day
DAY 3
MAY 14
THURSDAY
Presentation: ACE Fund (Grégory Monfort)
2:30 - 3:00 PM
Presentation: Inevitable (Jean Mach)
3:00 - 3:30 PM
The New Model Shaping How Film & TV Projects Get Made – A fireside chat with Ayoka Chenzira & Haj Chenzira-Pinnock
As capital gets more selective, more cautious... more projects worth getting made are left stalled. The old path to financing isn’t working the way it used to, and everyone feels it.
This conversation gets into what’s actually changing and why resisting it is the bigger risk. Audience-led financing is shifting how creators, audiences, and investors engage together, building real momentum before traditional financing even closes.
At a time of real uncertainty, this is about getting clear on how new models and structures are organizing and de-risking capital, and how to make it work for you.
▪ Ayoka Chenzira, Director|Writer|Producer|Episodic Television Director, Babylon Sisters Media, Inc.
▪ Haj Chenzira-Pinnock, Founder|CEO of VibeKast
4:00 - 5:00 PM
🎬Screening: Amazing Grace: YorubaWorlds by Raynald Leconte followed by a private cocktail reception.
The film traces a transatlantic journey from Nigeria to Brazil, brought to life through the voices and music of internationally recognized artists. In Nigeria, it features Afrobeats voices including, Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti, Brymo, and Falana. In Brazil, it highlights cultural icons such as Gilberto Gil, Carlinhos Brown, and Margareth Menezes; embodying the living continuity in Afro-Brazilian culture. A story that belongs not to one people, but to all of us.
This documentary honors the untold journeys of the Yorùbá, Jeje (Ewe/Fon), Hausa, Bantu, Wolof, Fulani, and Kongo peoples - sons and daughters who endured the earliest and most brutal transatlantic crossings.
Director: Raynald Leconte
6:30 - 8:00 PM
DAY 4
MAY 15
FRIDAY
SOMMET DE LA SOUVERAINETÉ NARRATIVE
10:30 – 10:55 AM
Dégustation signature – Accueil & mise en relation
Dégustation signature offerte par L’Étoile de l’Afrique
🕚 11h00 : fermeture de l’accès et fin du service (hors boissons)
10:55 – 11:15 AM
Ouverture – Activer le cercle & présentation de la Guilde des Étoiles
Intervention conjointe : L’Étoile de l’Afrique & ESRA
11:15 – 11:45 AM
Vision & influence
Structurer un réseau autour du cinéma africain
Intervenant : Jérôme Chouraqui (Président du Media Club)
11:45 – 12:30 PM
Chaîne de valeur – Conférence
Financer, produire, diffuser : structurer un écosystème
Intervenante : Isabelle Degeorges (Gaumont)
12:35 – 13:15 PM
Regards institutionnels | Rôle des institutions
Nécessité de structurer un marché, vers le MIFA 2027
Intervenants :
-
Veronica Sabbag
-
Tzipporah Mayala
(Human Voices 4 Peace | Diplomatie culturelle internationale)
10:30 - 1:15 PM
Panel: Cinetourism Session - Storytelling as Infrastructure
Cinetourism as a Driver of Economic Growth, Jobs & Cultural Influence
Panelists:
▪ Joy Roberts, Executive Director, Jamvac, Jamaica
▪ Natalie O. Hodge, Film Commissioner, British Virgin Islands Marysela Zamora Villalobos, Film Commissioner, Costa Rica
▪ Daniel Celli, Film Commissioner, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Film Commission | RioFilme.
▪ Marysela Zamora Villalobos, Film Commissioner, Costa Rica
Moderator: Tambay Obenson
2:30 - 3:30 PM
Sessions: Franco-Guinean Cultural Center (2 sessions), in partnership with the French Embassy in Senegal
• West Africa: From Potential to Transformation
Panelists:
▪ Kessen Tall, producer and screenwriter – Mauritania
▪ Bilia Bah, Director of Cultural & Creative Industries at the Ministry of Culture – Guinea
▪ Yanis Gueye, producer and incubator manager – Senegal
Moderator: Séraphine Angoula, Regional Audiovisual Attaché
• Guinean Cinema: Renewal, Momentum and Emergence
Panelists:
▪ Abdoulaye Traoré, Director of the FIF Awards
▪ Gahité Fofana, producer
▪ Oumar Khourouma, Director of the Guinean Cinema Expo
▪ Diogo Barry, Director of the Sabou Ciné Talents incubation program
Moderator: Djariou Bah, Co-Director of the Centre Culturel Franco-Guinéen
3:30 - 5:30 PM
Talk: Voices of Afronova – A conversation with Aïssa Maïga, moderated by Maklor Babutulua
Aïssa Maïga
Moderator: Maklor Babutulua
6:00 - 6:45 PM
🎬 Screening: Escape Room by Kinnik Sky
A glamorous young content creator dazzles the world with her words and imagination, yet behind her radiant image lies a secret only her closet knows.
Director: Kinnik Sky
7:00 PM
Showcase with singer Kayna Samet
Kayna Samet is a French R&B and soul singer known for her powerful voice and emotionally driven performances. Blending urban sounds with heartfelt songwriting, she has become a distinctive presence in the French music scene.
Caribbean Day
Official Sponsor: British Virgin Islands Film Commission
DAY 5
MAY 16
SATURDAY
11:30 -12:30 PM
Panel: Festivals as Gateways to Global Opportunity
Festival programmers from the Caribbean and leading international festivals examine how festivals help filmmakers bring their work to wider audiences and industry attention.
Panalists:
▪ Natalie O. Hodge: Film Commissioner, British Virgin Islands
▪ Ingrid Jean-Baptiste: Co-Founder & Artistic Director, Chelsea Film Festival (USA)
▪ Aiko Roudette: Founder & Director, Hairouna Film Festival (SVG)
Moderator: Mark Walton: Associate Professor, Parsons | The New School
12:30 - 2:00 PM
Networking Reception on the Terrace
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Panel: Getting Caribbean Content to Global Distribution
Distribution and acquisition executives share insight into what buyers are looking for and how filmmakers can position their projects for international deals.
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Panel: Building a Competitive Caribbean Screen Industry
Government leaders, industry stakeholders, and creators discuss how stronger alignment can accelerate the growth of the region’s screen industry.
Panalists:
▪ Osahon Akpata: CEO, CANEX Creations Inc. | African Export-Import Bank
▪ Natalie O. Hodge: Film Commissioner, British Virgin Islands
▪ Kayleigh Hughes: Consultant, Olsberg-SPI
Moderator: Mark Walton: Associate Professor, Parsons | The New School
6:00 PM
🎬Screening: The Rhythm of Jamaican Art (John Campbell)
World premiere of an 80-minute documentary celebrating Jamaican art, written and directed by John Campbell, executive produced by Sheryl Lee Ralph, and produced by
Tiana Webb-Evans.
The Rhythm of Jamaican Art filmed in New York City, London, Miami, Canada, and Kingston, Jamaica, highlights and celebrates Jamaican art, with a focus on the past, the present and the future.
This documentary showcases the rich Jamaican culture, with introductions from Emmy Winner Sheryl Lee Ralph
Director: John Campbell
Producer: Tiana Webb-Evans
Caribbean Evening
Showcase with singer Leafnuts
Leafnuts is a reggae singer and recording artist known for his work with Blacknuss Allstars, Latin Kings, Mango Kings, Chilly & Leafy, and Ragga Sonic. Representing Morrant Bay, Jamaica by way of Brixton, London, Leafnuts brings conscious reggae vibes and messages of love, unity, and awareness through his music and latest album Esoteric.
Caribbean Day curated by: Mark Walton
Animation Day
DAY 6
MAY 17
SUNDAY
10:30 - 12:30 PM
🎓 Masterclass: Ebele Okoye - Structured AI for Creative Workflows
▪ Ebele Okoye, Animation Producer|Ethical AI Advocate - Noa Vista®, Ethical AI Brand
2:30 -
3:00 PM
Testimony of a success story - Dom Fred and Jean-Michel Loutoby
3:00 -
4:30 PM
🎓 Masterclass: Dom Fred – AI & the Future of Moving Image: VFX, 3D and Real Time Revolution
Where technology reinvents storytelling on a grand scale.
▪ Dom Fred, Action Director - DOM FRED FILMS
5:00 -
6:00 PM
🎬 Screening: Ride the Rhythm (Robert Mason)
6:30 -
8:00 PM
🎬 Screening: Discovering Bessie Coleman (Beth Powell) followed by a book signing and a showcase with Freddie Hall
An inspiring documentary explores how Bessie Coleman’s groundbreaking legacy continues to motivate family members, aviation professionals, and public figures who discovered in her story a lasting model of courage and possibility.
Director: Beth Powell
Showcase with Singer Freddie Hall
Freddie Hall is an American soul singer and songwriter from Canastota, New York, now based in Cambridge, England. Known for his soulful interpretations of jazz, blues, Motown, and the American songbook, he has performed in clubs and concert halls worldwide, and shared stages with legends such as Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and The Temptations.
Co-Production Day
In partnership with Canal+
DAY 7
MAY 18
MONDAY
Panel: Producing together – The new co-production architectures - Coproduction, multi-territorial financing, dynamics of production aid, and integration of eco-friendly practices.
Panelists:
▪ The Atlas Workshops: Hedi Zardi
▪ La Fabrique Cinéma de l'Institut Français: Émilie Mao Essadi
▪ Canal+ : Houda El Amri
▪ Les Films du Bilboquet: Eugénie Michel-Vilette,
▪ Canal+ : Grace Loubassou
Moderator: Maklor Babutulua
10:30 - 12:00 PM
Launch: Sala 54 Platform with Nicho 54 -- An online platform for international distribution of Brazilian black films
Sala 54 is a new exhibition platform for the audiovisual industry dedicated to Brazilian black cinema, expanding global access to films directed by black Brazilian directors. Launched at Marché du Film, at Pavillon Afronova, it connects films to festivals, distributors and sales agents.
▪ Fernanda Lomba, Nicho54
▪ Bethania Maia,Vaporosa Cultural
▪ Rubian Melo, Saturnema Filmes
Launching of the Black Film Archive (Cinemateca Negra), a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to preserving the memory of Brazilian black cinema and strengthening its international visibility. The project compiled films made by black filmmakers between 1949 and 2022 and proposes new avenues for connection between Brazil, Africa and the diaspora.
▪ Bethania Maia,Vaporosa Cultural
▪ Larissa Barbosa, Moringa Filmes
12:00 - 12:45 PM
Panel- Reproduire, adapter, réinventer : mais où est l’écosystème noir francophone ?
Quel modèle pour une industrie afro-diasporique qui n’existe pas encore ? Les Amériques, l’Asie et l’Afrique ont posé leur empreinte en forçant une inclusivité finalement prospère. Qu’aurions-nous dû en retenir pour rendre effectif un marché français représentatif ?
2:30 - 3:15 PM
“Skip Game ! ChinaWood VS Hollywood”: l’Asie, un modèle plus pertinent pour les industries afro descendantes ?
Alors qu’Hollywood demeurait le modèle absolu pour les cultures afro-descendantes, la
disruption actuelle de l’industrie nous incite à nous inspirer de ces nouvelles économies
hybrides.
3:15 - 16:00 PM
Panel: Plus que du contenu : construire les publics des récits africains et diasporiques.
Le rôle des diffuseurs, exploitants de salles et distributeurs dans le développement de la visibilité des oeuvres et des talents africains.
Panélistes :
▪ David Obadia, Délégué général AFCAE
▪ Nancy AKA, Directrice Générale Majestic
▪ Franciane Abassan, Productrice et sales agent
▪ Houda El Amri, Conseillère Editoriale Cinéma Acquisition (TBC)
Modérateur : Alain Modot, PDG Diffa
4:30 - 6:00 PM
🎬 Screening: Diya, le prix du sang (Achille Ronaimou)
6:30 - 8:00 PM
DAY 8
MAY 19
TUESDAY
10:30 - 11:15 AM
Talk: Institut français – Rediscovering African Heritage Cinema in the Age of Streaming
11:30 - 12:30 PM
Vaporosa Cultural – Cinemateca Negra: Discovering Brazil’s Black Film Archive
▪ Bethania Maia,Vaporosa Cultural
▪ Larissa Barbosa, Moringa Filmes
2:30 - 3:30 PM
CISAC Panel: Fair Pay, Fair Voices -- Women Shaping the Future of African Audiovisual Creation
This panel will explore the challenges faced by audiovisual creators in Africa in securing fair remuneration, with a particular focus on the additional barriers encountered by women authors and directors.
Building on real-life experiences and concrete examples from across the continent, the discussion will first address systemic issues affecting all creators, including unbalanced contractual practices, weak bargaining power, and limited collective management structures, before highlighting how these challenges are further exacerbated by gender inequalities in a predominantly patriarchal industry.
The panel will also emphasize the importance of copyright frameworks as a tool to support gender equity and cultural diversity, ensure fair remuneration, and enable women to tell their own stories and contribute fully to the development of African cinema.
Panelists:
▪ Yvonne Chaka Chaka
▪ Bolanle Austen-Peters
▪ Eliane Umuhire
Moderator: Luisa Luna
3:30 - 3:45 PM
🎬 Screening: Redemption (Dap Paxton)
A devoted family man is shattered when his son is killed in a police shooting, igniting a relentless pursuit of revenge justice against the officer responsible.
As he moves closer to retribution, legal obstacles, systemic injustice, and his own moral limits collide, turning his grief into a dangerous spiral.
Forced to choose between vigilante justice and preserving what remains of his family, he must confront whether revenge will bring closure or deepen the tragedy
Director: Dap Paxton
4:30 - 6:30 PM
Panel: The Politics of Black Women in Film by African American Women in Cinema (AAWIC)
A dynamic and timely panel discussion to be held at the Pavillon Afronova during the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. This program centers the voices, artistry, and leadership of Black women whose work is shaping global cinema.
The panel will feature industry leaders, offering attendees
a rare opportunity to engage directly with talent currently being recognized on one of the world’s most influential stages.
Through thought-provoking conversation, the panel will explore the artistic, cultural, and political dimensions of Black women’s representation in film, examining both the
challenges faced and the triumphs achieved across the industry. The program is designed to foster meaningful dialogue, elevate visibility for emerging and established talent, and advance equity within the global film landscape.
Following the panel, a VIP Reception will provide an intimate setting for networking, relationship-building, and collaboration among filmmakers, producers, executives, creatives, and cultural influencers from around the world.
Host: Terra Renee
Panelists:
▪ Dr. A'Cire Newby
▪ Lamonia Brown
Moderator: Princess Hairston
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Private Cocktail (AAWIC)
DAY 9
MAY 20
WEDNESDAY
10:30 - 12:30 PM
🎓Masterclass: Vertical Filmmaking and Writing - From Idea to Monetizable Series
Course Promise
By the end of this class, participants will gain the knowledge and skills to:
- Think in a vertical format
- Write stories tailored for short-form episodic viewing
- Shoot and edit vertical projects with intentionality
- Avoid common creative and production pitfalls
- Develop projects with enhanced commercial potential
- Understand the business aspects of vertical storytelling
Presenters:
▪ Richard Lawson, Hyperlens Studios LLC
▪ Denee Busby, Hyperlens Studios LLC
2:30 - 4:30 PM
Workshop: Music in Film, with composer Olivier Lliboutry
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Building the Narrative Pipeline: Are Black Women Shaping the Future of Global Entertainment?(1H)
7:30 - 8:00 PM
🎬 Screening: Donne-moi la main mon frère (John Littleton)
DAY 10
MAY 21
THURSDAY
2:30 - 3:15 PM
🎬 Screening: Je veux Boza (Dominique Minyono)
To escape violence and poverty, a young woman embarks on Boza, a perilous illegal odyssey across desert and sea toward an uncertain future.
Director: Dominique Minyono
3:30 - 4:30 PM
🎬 Screening: Les cicatrices (Sandra Nelly Kom) (TBC)
4:30 - 6:00 PM
Networking Sessions