Organisers of the Cannes International Film Festival have extended their wishes and support to the people of Ukraine and all those who are in its territory following the heavy crisis in which a part of Europe finds itself in a state of war. The statement from the Festival de Cannes read in part: “The festival wishes to extend all its support to the people of Ukraine and all those who are in its territory. However, modest as it is, we join our voices with those who oppose this unacceptable situation and denounce the attitude of Russia and its leaders.” The organisers also said, “our thoughts go out in particular to the Ukrainian artists and film industry professionals, as well as their families whose lives are now in danger. There are those whom we’ve never met, and those whom we’ve come to know and welcomed to Cannes, who came with works that say much about Ukraine’s history and the present. During this winter of 2022, the Festival de Cannes has entered its preparation phase. Unless the war of assault ends in conditions that will satisfy the Ukrainian people, it has been decided that we will not welcome official Russian delegations nor accept the presence of anyone linked to the Russian government.” While saluting the courage of all those in Russia, who have taken risks to protest against the assault and invasion of Ukraine, organisers of Festival de Cannes, particularly, singled out for mention artists and film professionals, who have never ceased to fight against the regime and who have refused to be associated with these unbearable actions, and those who are bombing Ukraine. Organisers of the Festival de Cannes say they will always serve artists and industry professionals that raise their voices to denounce violence, repression, and injustices, for the main purpose to defend peace and liberty. The 2022 edition of the festival is scheduled to from Tuesday, May 17, to Saturday, May 28, 2022.

… Also, Cannes Lions Issue Statement In Support
ORGANISERS of Cannes Lions have equally expressed their support for the people of Ukraine, and their many partners and community members in Russia, who strongly oppose the actions of the Russian government.  The organisers in a statement noted that despite their desire to celebrate creativity from wherever it comes, the Board of Cannes Lion have made the decision not to accept submissions or delegations from Russian organisations into Cannes Lions or its associated awards programmes.  “As an immediate action, Ascential and Lions will make a significant donation to humanitarian charities working in the affected region,” the statement said, adding that while Cannes Lions consider their position as only a small gesture, Cannes Lion will welcome free of charge any and all Ukraine creatives who are able to attend Cannes Lions. Refunds on awards submissions for Ukraine agencies will also be honoured. Similarly, a talent directory for affected members of the creative community has been established on the Lions platform. The organsers encourage the global community to commission and support creative during these troubled times. “Our thoughts go out to the people of Ukraine and other affected members of the community at this extremely difficult time.”

Camilla Nielsson’s President To Open iREP 2022
THE 2022 iREP International Documentary Film Festival begins formally in a grand opening with the critically acclaimed film, President, by Camilla Nielsson at the Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, March 17. Running from March 17 to 20 at various other venues, including its traditional base, Freedom Park Broad Street, and at the Art Factory Hall of the Crown Troupe of Africa in Bariga Lagos, among others, the festival in its 12th edition, is exploring the theme, Unfiltered: African Stories. Stories from Africa, which is another iteration from its conceptual framework of ‘Africa in Self-Conversation’. According to a statement from the programme directorate of the festival, the idea of the 2022 theme is to focus attention on “how Africa is being represented or otherwise by filmmakers and storytellers who engage her issues.” The release said, about 70 films drawn from 28 countries cutting across four continents will feature in the festival that has become a leading light of documentary film production and expression in West Africa, and by extension the continent of Africa.

“IREP is excited to present ‘President’ as “an important seminal and nuanced African story which not only fulfills moral and political prerequisites but also creative advancement in documentary filmmaking,” stated the release, adding: President has been featured in several global Film festivals, including at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was a major entry, and screened to huge applause. The Director-Producer of the film, Camilla Nielsson, will give a talk on the making of the film and will entertain questions and comments from the audience.” iREP is organised by the Foundation for the Promotion of Documentary Film in Africa, and is in collaboration with the San Diego, US-based African World Documentary Film Festival, AWDFF, with partnership support from German Films, AgDok, Goethe Institut Lagos, among other local and international organisations. Meanwhile, Garderie Nocturne (Night Nursery), the film that won the Best Documentary film grand prize at the 2021 Pan African Film Festival, FESPACO in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, has been selected as the closing film.

The 67-minute film, directed by Moumouni Sanou, will be the last of the over 60 films to be screened in the course of the four-day festival, which will also feature conversations, training, workshops, mentorship session and producers’ roundtable among other niche items that distinguish the festival from others in its class. Screened Sunday, February 20, as the last of the over 60 films featuring in the festival, Night Nursery, which drew popular appeal after it was announced at the winner of the FESPACO 2021 Stallion of Gold of Yennenga Prize, is a fascinating story of the lives and activities at a popular ‘social’ centre in Bobo Dioulasso, one of Burkina Faso’s major cities. The film focuses on the experiences of women. Men and fathers are absent, except in the times amusing, sometimes deeply shocking stories that Farida and Odile tell about their work. Sanou’s reserved, respectful look makes clear the advantages of horizontal filmmaking, which is characterised by the greatest possible attention and sensitivity towards the protagonists.The 67 minutes flick, produced by Berni Goldblat, Juror member of African Movie Award Academy (AMAA), it is co-produced by Les Films Du Djabadjah (Burkina Faso), Vrai Vrai Films(France).