I’m writing this in the thick of awards season film festival coverage, with Venice and Toronto now behind us. My experiences during this relentless whirlwind of events reminded me of a persistent problem.
The journey of African filmmakers through the labyrinth of major international film festivals is a route fraught with expectations and missed opportunities.
The excitement of having a film selected for a prestigious event is often tempered by the reality of the festival’s aftermath, where visibility and media engagement are critical yet elusive.
There appears to be a prevailing belief that acceptance into a major international film festival means you’ve essentially “made it.” This couldn’t be further from the truth.
In reality, festival placement is just the beginning of a crucial phase – one that demands strategic thinking, relentless promotion, and savvy media engagement.
There is a disconnect between African filmmakers and producers whose films are selected, and the international press covering these events. It’s a two-sided coin of frustration that needs to be addressed for the benefit of African cinema as a whole.
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