BRICS, or the organization for the economic cooperation of eight countries from Europe, Asia and Africa, including Russia, China, India, Brazil, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Ethiopia had recently organized a cultural event of great significance. That was the BRICS film festival that took place within the framework of the annual Russian international film festival. Although the film festival contains the seeds of a great cultural and economic promise, the event was mostly symbolic at this stage.
Culture is generally known to be a great force for unity and cooperation among nations. The more nations know one another, the greater will their appreciation, respect and admiration for their cultures and traditions. Mutual respect and cooperation is key to a world facing many challenges that emanate from failure to know one another better in order to pave the way for economic and other forms of cooperation. Europe or America could thrive economically because it managed to overcome differences by building cultural bridges rather walls. Walls divide, bridges unite and give incentive for cooperation, integration if now unity.
Africa still finds itself at a historic stage of seeking unity and cooperation within and outside its borders by building bridges and by pulling down walls. Economic integration is one tool among many that is helping us turn our dream of continental integration and unity. Culture is also another potent weapon to bring the dream closer by fostering neighborliness, cooperation and integration.
This process although still at its initial stage of development, has already proved to be effective in helping Africa deal with its myriad challenges that it is trying to overcome at present. Bringing cultural interaction into this picture would help enhance or the common further cement Africa’s common vision of economic freedom without which political freedom stands on a shaky grounds.
Culture and economy are interactive. The BRICS countries now face a better opportunity for building a new world order based on mutual understanding and the harmonization of multi-polar global interests. This process in turn would prevent the domination, political or economy, of one bloc of countries over the other. It would prevent political and economic hegemony and prevent conflicts from happening. Most conflicts are born of lack of understanding and appreciation of our cultural heritages that are basically humane and peaceful. Wars are mostly born from misunderstandings of cultural realities, among other factors, that would lead to peace and stability among nations.
The BRICS cultural initiative is therefore the first of its kind in breaking the old paradigm in the sense that it is an event that included almost all the continent and is basically inclusive. European film festivals are only European and do not include others at an institutional level. The good thing about the BRICS film festival is that it is based on solid economic foundations and as an extension of economic cooperation.
Africa should create similar all-African cultural events on the basis of and within the framework of the ongoing African economic integration and unity as its foundation. The initiative can start at regional level and become through time an example worth emulating elsewhere in the continent. Imagine of an annual East African cultural event such as a film festival that would be duplicated in western, northern, and southern Africa. This can be imagined a part and parcel of the ongoing economic integration process, because the film industry in Africa can be exploited as both an economic bonanza and a force for accelerating economic integration at both regional and continental levels.
The major aim of the BRICS film festival at this stage is an engine that would fuel and fire economic cooperation among member countries. But with time, it is bound to turn into a mighty industrial force that would break the monopoly domination of Hollywood over the world’s film industries and release them from unequal relationships by releasing the creative force latent within the BRICs countries. This would of course be a good a news and a trend worth supporting because it will certainly inspire other countries to follow suit.
An annual and all-African or regional film festivals would have the same effects or implications. It would allow cultural exchanges and sharing of experiences. It would bring the people of Africa together and show them the virtues of dreaming and working together. It may not prove a panacea to the all the problems Africa is facing at present but it will give broader perspectives and mutual concern towards the realization of the continent and its people’s collective dream. This may not be possible in one or two generations. It is nevertheless achievable through the efforts of many generations. All film festivals were not born and grew overnight. They required a long period of gestation and a long period of practical implementation before they became powerful cultural forces at present. The same is true of the new BRICS initiative as well as the individual initiatives of member countries.
The all-African annual film festival will not obviously start from scratch. There are already various African film festivals with rich experiences under their belts. What is needed is to bring all these film festival together and give them an all-African perspective and motive. “Africa is a continent bursting with cinematic talent and nowhere is this more evident in the diverse film festivals.
There are at least ten African film festivals that take place more or less annually and are still vibrant in creating Africa’s independent cinematic perspectives to the world. The following information about these film festivals is taken from a publication on African film development.
The African Film Festival in Nigeria (AFRIFF) is a cornerstone in Nigeria’s cinematic landscape. AFRIFF has also formed significant partnerships with other organizations working to promote African cinema. Last year, the festival attracted over 100 000 film enthusiasts from around the globe, offering master classes that cover everything from script writing to financial management.
The Marrakech International film Festival in Morocco has rolled out red carpets for Hollywood bigwigs like Martin Scorsese and Bollywood sensation Shah Rukh Khan. MIFF offers a range of categories from feature films to documentaries with awards like the coveted Golden Star.
Addis International film Festival (AIFF) in Ethiopia was founded by Indrias Getachew and Meseret Lemma. AIFF is a platform documentaries and short films that focus on social issues like gender equality and climate change. Esteemed figures like Haile Gerima have judged the festival which takes place at the Italian Cultural Institute and the Alliance Ethio-Francaise in Addis Ababa.
The Carthage Film Festival (JCC) in Tunis was initiated in 1966 and held in various venues across Tunis, including the Municipal Theatre. The festival has been graced with by judges renowned Tunisian filmmakers, who specialize in showcasing films that delve into political and social issues.
The Rwanda Film Festival is also known as “Hollywood” is a beacon of Rwanda’s burgeoning film industry. The festival takes films to rural areas screening films atop hills. The festival offers a range of awards including “Best Rwandan Feature” and “Best African Film”.
The Amakula International Film Festival in Uganda was established in 2004. Amakula is Uganda’s oldest film festival. Held annually at the Uganda Museum in Kampala, the festival is known for its “Golden Impala Award” which honors the best feature film.
FESPACO from Burkina Faso was founded in 1969. FESPACO is an institution in African cinema. It is held in biennially in Ouagadougou and the festival is the largest of its kind in Africa. Esteemed judges like Soulaymane Cisse have lent their expertise, and the festival’s top honor, the “Etalonde Yennenga” has been awarded to cinematic legends like Idrissa Ouedraogo.
The Zanzibar International Film Festival in Tanzania was established in 1997. ZIFF is East Africa’s largest film and arts festival. It is held annually in Stone Town, Zanzibar. ZIFF has been a springboard for Tanzanian filmmakers like Amil Shivji.
The Cairo International Film Festival in Egypt was founded in 1976. CIFF is one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in Africa. and the Arab world. Held annually in the historic Cairo Opera House, the festival has been a significant platform for Egyptians filmmakers.
The Durban International film Festival in South Africa was established in 1979. DIFF is south Africa’s premier film event held annually in various venues across Durban. DIFF is renowned for its best African film award which has been a launch pad for South African filmmakers.
As it can be seen from the above, Africa has a rich and varied background to push with effort to create an All-African Film Festival (AAFF) or regional hubs for such festivals in a rather short time. The realization of this vision obviously requires the full attention of African filmmakers and film establishments as well as respective governments and the Africa union cultural affairs commission. A big conference can be organized to discuss the vision while external backers as well as international cultural organizations can be called on to promote these efforts. “These festivals are platforms for cultural dialogue, industry, networking and global recognition.”
BY MULUGETA GUDETA
The Ethiopian herald May 11/2024
