PARIS, April 9 (AGCNewsNet) – Côte d'Ivoire took center stage at the 2025 edition of African Cinema Days in Paris, with more than 600 participants celebrating African storytelling through film, panel discussions, and music during the three-day event.

The festival opened at the Club de l'Étoile with an emotional screening of Bal Poussière (1989), a cult comedy by late Ivorian filmmaker Henri Duparc, showcased in a restored version. The film’s screening drew enthusiastic applause from both cinema lovers and onlookers, many of whom were thrilled to rediscover the film’s wit and cultural significance.

Over the course of the event, audiences were treated to iconic classics such as La Femme au Couteau (1969) by Timité Bassori and Wariko, le gros lot (1994) by Fadika Kramo-Lanciné. All selections came from the vast Cinémathèque Afrique archive, which houses more than 1,800 films produced across the continent since the 1950s.

Sunday’s programming shifted focus to younger audiences at La Machine du Moulin Rouge, with animated favorites Akissi and Aya de Yopougon filling the venue to capacity. Children laughed, pointed at familiar characters, and engaged with stories that reflected their cultural roots.

“I came with my daughter to pass on our culture to her,” said Fatou, an Ivorian mother living in France. “Growing up in France shouldn't cut her off from who we are.” Her daughter Yasmine, aged 7, beamed as she recalled “Akissi qui trouve Bougou son singe.”

Beyond the screenings, the event also served as a platform for forward-looking conversations about the continent’s cinematic trajectory. A panel titled “Côte d’Ivoire, a New Destination for African Cinema?” gathered industry professionals including Ivorian-French actor and director Olivier Kissita.

“There’s real dynamism,” Kissita said. “More and more institutions are getting involved, and collaborations with English-speaking industries are opening new doors.”

Aïssa Diaby, spokesperson for Cinémathèque Afrique, emphasized the importance of film preservation and intergenerational transmission. “Our goal is to help the diaspora reclaim these films and understand their historical impact.”

The event concluded with a lively cultural evening featuring a DJ set, a performance by comedian Sacko Camara, and a headline concert by Zoblazo creator Meiway, a pillar of Ivorian music. In front of a full house, the veteran singer delivered a vibrant and energetic show that brought the festival to a jubilant close.

Organizers hailed the festival’s success as a sign of African cinema’s growing global resonance and Côte d’Ivoire’s rising profile in the industry.

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