Omonua’s Galatians marks a historic moment in Nigerian cinema as it becomes the first Nigerian project selected for the prestigious film workshop.
By Helena Olori
African cinema will take the front rows at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival as four African films from Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, and Nigeria have been listed as part of 10 prizewinning projects for the La Fabrique Cinema De L’Institut Français. Additionally, renowned Tunisian producer, Dora Bouchoucha, has also been announced as patron of the 2023 La Fabrique Cinéma de l’Institut français by the Institut français.
The selected projects which are currently in developmental stage, include Fagadaga by Senegalese Yoro Mbaye, produced by Souleymane Kebe; Leïla Trial by Charlie Kouka from Tunisia, produced by Cyrine Sellami; Moonblind by Rada Riyadh from Egypt, produced by Ayman El Amir; and Galatians by Nigerian indie filmmakers, and creators of the acclaimed title, Juju Stories, Michael Omonua and Abba. T. Makama, marking the first time a Nigerian film is being selected for La Fabrique Cinema.
(Read also: Juju Stories Review: Surreal 16’s Bold and Artistic Exploration of Nigerian Urban Legends)
Six notable filmmakers were also selected from across the global south including Lebanon, India, Chile, Argentina, Philippines, and Costa Rica. The selection is an express invitation for the filmmakers of the winning projects, comprising five male directors, five female directors, six male producers, and four female producers, to participate in the 15th edition of La Fabrique Cinéma de l’Institut français set to hold during the highly anticipated Festival de Cannes from 16 to 27 May, 2023.
La Fabrique Cinéma is an initiative launched by the Cannes Film Festival to support talented and emerging filmmakers from around the world. The selected participants will receive financing for their projects and benefit from intensive and personalised coaching sessions from industry experts at the prestigious film workshop.